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Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies

Postgraduate coursework

Explore a diverse range of literary texts and refine your analytical, writing and critical thinking abilities, while gaining industry experience.

Key facts

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Locations

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Transform your passion for reading and writing into in-demand professional skills through Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies. In it, you will explore a diverse range of literary texts and theories and refine your analytical, writing and critical thinking abilities, which are highly valued by employers. In addition, opportunities to get your work published or undertake an internship will give you sought-after industry experience and expand your professional network.

Under the guidance of academic staff who are leading international scholars and published authors, you will gain a broad exposure to contemporary and historical literature, expand your knowledge of literary theory, and develop a nuanced understanding of how texts function. This in-depth knowledge combined with industry-relevant experiences will equip you with a unique skill set ready for an exciting career in your chosen field.

Ready to achieve your dream of a fulfilling career working with the written word?

Through this industry-shaped course, you will interrogate a diverse array of writing forms (fiction, non-fiction, memoir, genre fiction) and explore how certain ideas and ideologies are either perpetuated or disrupted through the written word. This rich curation of texts both new and familiar will expand your literary horizons and help you strengthen your ability to identify, analyse and experiment with the specific techniques that bring great literary texts to life.

Take advantage of Deakin’s strong partnerships with industry through the opportunity to undertake an internship at organisations such as literary festivals, publishing houses, literary agents, libraries, copywriting agencies and literary magazines. You’ll also get the chance to have your work published in publications such as Deakin’s long-standing international literary journal, Verandah.

Deakin’s new annual postgraduate publication, which features select creative works from postgraduate students, provides further opportunity for your work to be published or for you to gain valuable experience working behind the scenes on production.

Whether you are looking to embark on further research in a related field or forge your path in the publishing or creative industries, this course will equip you with the real-world experience and transferable skills to give you a competitive edge as you pursue the career you want.

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
A635
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course structure

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies, students must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:

  • 1 credit point compulsory core unit;
  • 4 credit points of course electives from List A;
  • 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

1

Core units

4

Course elective units

3

Elective units

8

Total

Core unit

  • Foundations in Narrative Theory
  • Course Electives List A

    Select 4 from the following:

  • Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now
  • Fantasy and Historical Fictions
  • Graphic Narratives
  • Texts for Young Adults
  • Life Writing Now
  • Sex, the Body, and American Poetry
  • Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as 1 of the 3 electives

    Electives

    3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.

    Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Online

    Trimester 2 - July

    • Start date: July
    • Available at:
      • Online

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

    Mandatory student checks

    Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

    Participation requirements

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

    Work experience

    Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

    Entry requirements

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

    Academic requirements

    To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher
    • at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    Recognition of prior learning

    The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

    You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - (CSP)?
    $13,016 for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)

    Learn more about fees.

    The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning. One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

    You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

    Learn more about fees and available payment options.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply directly to Deakin

    To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.

    Contact information

    Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    As a literary studies graduate, you will have the in-depth knowledge and professional analytical and writing skills to pursue a variety of career opportunities across public and private sectors including communications, advertising, publishing, education and research.

    Career opportunities include: author, editor, copywriter, literary agent.

    For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to works of literature.
    Communication Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature.
    Digital literacy Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature.
    Critical thinking Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions and apply to the examination of works of literature.
    Problem solving Apply theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the sophisticated design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis of literature.
    Self-management Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing and literature.
    Teamwork Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature
    Global citizenship Identify, select, and critically analyse culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to interpreting works of literature.

    Approved at Faculty Board September 2021