About TAFE Media | Student Newsroom & Media Courses, TAFE NSW Ultimo

TAFE Media is the student newsroom of Screen and Media at TAFE NSW Ultimo in Sydney. Every story, podcast and radio show here is reported, edited and produced by our journalism, radio and social media students, guided by working industry teachers.

We cover news, sport, music, culture, the environment and student life. We broadcast live on TAFE Radio and showcase the best of our students’ work.

What our students create

Radio

Live shows on TAFE Radio, from hosting and producing to panel operation.

Podcasting

Audio storytelling, interviews and series, recorded in our Ultimo studios.

Journalism

News, features and mobile journalism published right here on TAFE Media.

Social Media

Short-form video, content strategy and running real social channels.

Screen and Media courses at Ultimo TAFE

Want to study radio, podcasting, journalism or social media in Sydney? You can start at any level, from beginner to advanced. We offer flexible on-campus, evening and online options.

Entry level · Online

Certificate III in Screen and Media

Plan, produce and publish podcasts, mobile journalism and social media content. A versatile starting toolkit for content creators.

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Beginner / career change · Campus or online

Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Specialise in Radio & Podcasting, Journalism or Social Media. Make live radio, podcasts and stories for TAFE Media.

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Intermediate · Full-time on campus

Diploma of Screen and Media

Build a professional portfolio in your chosen stream, with mentoring towards jobs, internships and further study.

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Short course · Micro skill

Statement of Attainment

A micro skill short course, usually 1–2 units completed over a short period. The units you complete count towards one of our higher Screen and Media qualifications.

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Not sure which course suits you? Read our guide to radio, media and journalism courses in Sydney.

Inside our Ultimo studios & classrooms

At TAFE NSW Ultimo you learn by doing. Classes combine practical sessions in our radio and podcast studios with classroom learning in writing, research, interviewing and media law and ethics. Industry teachers guide you through hands-on, assessed projects, so you build real skills and a portfolio of published work as you study.

Radio course at TAFE NSW Ultimo – student learning to operate the studio broadcast panel

Students recording a podcast during a TAFE NSW radio and podcasting class

Ready to start your media career?

Talk to our head teacher or check out course dates and fees on TAFE NSW.

View courses on TAFE NSW

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Screen and Media course FAQs

Which media courses can I study at Ultimo TAFE?

We offer a range of Screen and Media courses specialising in radio, journalism, podcasting, and social media. There are flexible options to cater for all types of learning needs, such as study from home/virtual campus or studying part time in the day or evening. Below is a summary of our course offerings. We also have short courses and virtual campus courses from time to time. You can follow us on Eventbrite to keep up with those.

Certificate III in Screen and Media

Our Certificate III provides you with the skills to plan, prepare, and publish a range of media, particularly in the areas of podcasting, mobile journalism, and social media. These essential skills will help launch your career as a content creator, journalist, audio storyteller, and more. Gain a versatile toolkit and kickstart your journey in the vibrant world of media.

The Certificate III is online only and delivered virtually.

Certificate IV in Screen and Media

If you are a beginner in media or want to change careers, the Certificate IV is a great place to start. This course introduces you to the foundations of media production, including writing, research, interviewing, presenting, audio, and content creation.

We have dedicated streams within our Certificate IV. You can choose to specialise in Radio and Podcasting, Journalism, or Social Media and you'll learn the foundations of each specific industry area, covering the key concepts and technical skills required to work in media. You will collaborate with peers to produce a variety of digital content, including live shows on TAFE Radio, podcasts, stories on TAFE Media’s website, and posts and videos on our social media accounts.

Our Certificate IV is offered full-time on campus during the day, part-time on campus in the evenings, or part-time with virtual delivery.

Diploma in Screen and Media

Our Diploma of Screen and Media is an intermediate course and builds on what you learned in Certificate IV. Our teachers and mentors will guide you to create portfolios of work, and encourage and help you to apply for jobs or internship positions in the media industry. They can also provide advice if you are interested in going on to further study.

As with Certificate IV, the Diploma of Screen and Media has dedicated streams for Radio and Podcasting, Journalism, and Social Media. You will continue to learn various aspects of your chosen stream while gaining valuable experience in teamwork, strategy, research, and management. You will also produce a variety of content, including broadcasting live on our radio station, producing podcasts, and publishing on or managing TAFE Media’s website or social media accounts.

The Diploma course is offered full-time on campus during the day.

Statement of Attainment

A Statement of Attainment is a micro skill short course. It is usually made up of 1–2 units that you complete over a short period, so you can build a specific skill quickly without committing to a full qualification.

The units you complete count towards one of our higher Screen and Media courses, giving you a head start if you decide to continue your study. To find out about upcoming Statement of Attainment courses, email us to enquire.

If you'd like more information, visit the TAFE NSW website.

What will I learn if I enrol?

We will help you learn more about the world around you, including how to tell stories that inform and inspire an audience. Our courses will help you develop a variety of skills essential to media practitioners, including writing, radio broadcasting, podcasting, audio and video editing, project management, and social media. You will learn to look at the world in a new way while realising your potential.

Do I need good marks in my HSC to get into media courses at TAFE?

No, but if you enrol we will ask you to do a test that lets us know about your skills and whether you need extra learning support. The test will assess your writing and maths abilities while letting us know who you are and what inspires you.

I want to go to uni. Will a Screen and Media course help me get there?

Yes! Your certificate of graduation can help you when applying for university. We have a lot of experience in tertiary ed and can help you choose the right degree and apply for it.

Bear in mind however that there are many ways to start your media career. By enrolling in one of our courses, we can help you learn the skills required to work in media or expand the skillset you already have, preparing you for a career or for university

What facilities does TAFE offer?

Our Ultimo campus has everything you need to learn how media works, and to make it lots of fun being here. We have two state-of-the-art radio studios where students produce programs for TAFE Radio, which streams via this website 24 hours a day. There are also podcasting studios where you can record all kinds of content. And if you want to produce social media and video content, we have a creative studio with cameras, a greenscreen, and interview lounges.

We also have computers equipped with the Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Microsoft Office. As a TAFE student, you are also able to access this software from your own computer and phone.

Will I be ready to find a job when I graduate?

Yes! You can find jobs in radio, podcasting, social media, and journalism when you graduate from TAFE. Whatever you choose to do, we will do our best to make sure you are prepared for your next step. Our teachers have experience working in newsrooms, radio and podcasting studios, and social media management and content creation. They know how to help you approach employers for jobs, internships, and work experience. Furthermore, our courses are designed to give you a portfolio of work to help you when applying for further study or employment, and also to give you the practical skills required to work in media.

Does TAFE Media offer short courses in Screen and Media?

We have short courses from time to time during the academic year in Radio, Podcasting, Social Media, Journalism, and AI for the media industry. Follow us on Eventbrite for more info.

Do your courses cater for a diversity of students?

Yes. Our most successful classes have a mix of students from all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We celebrate diversity and believe media is strongest and best when it's inclusive. We strive for more representation from people of diverse backgrounds in the media industry, and we're proud of our students' success.