AFTRS, Australia’s preeminent national screen and broadcast school, is accepting applications for the 2023 Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting. Applications close on the 4th of November.
Established in 1973 under an act of the Federal Parliament, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is Australia’s national screen and broadcast school, and one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the world.
With state-of-the-art facilities and a staff of award-winning mentors, AFTRS works in tandem with the industry to offer students the highest academic standards and valuable real-world experience to success in a booming and highly competitive market.
“The year-long course was much more intense than I could have ever imagined. I hilariously turned up to O Week running on little sleep expecting them to tell me where the toilets and fire escapes were, only to be thrown straight into an audio editing masterclass – it was O Week!” says AFTRS alumnus Grant Making, Operations and Promotions Manager at Radio Hunter Valley.
“In saying that, I loved it, and it set me up to tackle almost any obstacle that the real-world radio industry can throw at me and learning about every aspect of radio from on-air to sales lets you see – and get your hands on – the entire process. I was able to immerse myself in the areas of radio that I’m most passionate about – announcing – while also letting me put my finger in every pie. This has helped me to bring constructive and valuable inputs to colleagues in different roles in my radio station.”
The program is designed to be a hands-on training experience for aspiring broadcasters, podcasters, and radio producers. Through AFTRS’ lauded class sessions and live broadcasts, students learn all the intricacies of that constitutes great content, gaining all the confidence to refine their craft and apply their talent in multiple roles in the industry.
Throughout the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, students have the chance to collaborators to produce up to four major live broadcasts, including a live broadcast across Australia from the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
It doesn’t matter if your talents reside in front or behind the microphone, alumni get a rounded education designed specifically to meet the needs of the Australian radio and podcast industry. Students develop advanced practices in announcing, audio production, podcasting, online and digital content, program producing, writing, news, voiceover, music directing, marketing and integration.
“It gives you skills which are very, very portable and it allows you to actually be self-contained as a storyteller,” says AFTRS graduate Wendy Searle, strategic communications advisor to Sydney Metro West.
“You can write it, you can produce it, you can distribute it, you can be a one-stop shop, or you can use those skills as part of a team in collaboration.”
Additionally, AFTRS alumni not only gain professional proficiency in audio production equipment and software but learn how to shoot, publish and edit images and video to support their efforts across platforms.
“The radio students AFTRS develops and produces invariably find employment in commercial radio across the country and many have gone on to win prestigious radio awards,” comments Joan Warner, former CEO of Commercial Radio Australia.
“AFTRS has an unsurpassed record of achievement with one of the highest industry employment rates of any course either in or outside of media and communications anywhere in Australia. We consider AFTRS to be one of the best radio schools not only in Australia but globally.”
The landscape of award-winning, positioned professionals in the current broadcasting industry is stocked by proud AFTRS graduates. Alumni are working in Australia’s most prestigious media organisations, from Guardian Australia, KIIS FM and triple j, to The Kyle & Jackie O Show and Mamamia.
“The other great thing is that AFTRS alumni are everywhere, and you find connections everywhere because of that network, and that’s a lovely feeling,” says AFTRS Radio graduate Nick Hose, producer and features reporter for ABC 7:30. “When you tell people you went to AFTRS they instantly give you a little bit more respect, which is cool. But you also have to live up to the high standard expected of an AFTRS graduate.”
Whether you’re a complete novice or have industry experience already, AFTRS’ offering is designed to maximise your potential. Aside from the flagship one-year, full-time course, AFTRS now also has a part-time, two-year option delivered fully online with optional on-campus broadcasts.
“The person we’re looking for has an enormous potential and passion for radio and podcasting,” says Fiona Smith, AFTRS Head of Radio. “We understand that your journey to AFTRS is unique and we want to hear about not just your education background but all of your interests and help you tell the stories that you want to share with the world.”
The Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting is a hands-on and dynamic course for emerging broadcasters, podcasters, and radio producers. AFTRS offers this course full-time on campus, and part-time online with optional on-campus broadcasts, so you can work full-time while you study remotely, from anywhere in Australia.
Applications close on the 4th of November, and you can submit online.
To incentivise the enrolment of students from diverse backgrounds, AFTRS has a range of scholarships and financial support options that reward excellence and aid with the costs associated with higher education. If interested, AFTRS will prompt you to apply following your submission.
Scholarship options include the ABC Selwyn Speight Excellence Radio Scholarship, the Pariya Taherzadeh Radio & Podcasting Scholarship, Glenn Daniel News Scholarship, CRA Podcast Scholarship, the Equity Scholarships, and the First Nations Scholarships.
You can learn more about the AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting at the official Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting site. You can also send your enquiries to info@aftrs.edu.au or call 1300 223 877.