Program Overview

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Diploma of Communication

The Diploma of Communication offers a wide range of unit choices that give you a lot of flexibility when you’re entering the second year of a relevant Deakin University degree. Areas of study include advertising, communications, criminology, journalism, digital media, public relations and more.

Key Information

Duration

8 or 12 months

Intake Dates

March, June, October

Campus Location

Melbourne Burwood

Online

2025 Fees Domestic

A$25,620 (A$3,202.50 per unit)

FEE-Help available

2025 Fees International

A$33,240 (A$4,155 per unit)

Course Overview

The Diploma of Communication offers a wide range of unit choices that give you a lot of flexibility when you’re entering the second year of a relevant Deakin University degree. Areas of study include advertising, communications, criminology, journalism, digital media, public relations and more.

Employment and career options upon completing your Bachelor degree:

• Advertising agency roles
• Account management
• Media planning
• Journalist
• Copywriting and art direction
• Media policy and management
• Politics
• Research
• Media business-oriented consulting
• In-house brand communications
• Community and paralegal work
• Intelligence and security services
• Justice policy development and analysis
• Social science research
• State and federal police and other law enforcement agencies including anti-corruption agencies, or courts and corrections.

Pathways to Deakin University

On completion of this Diploma you can pathway into the following degrees at Deakin University:

• Bachelor of Arts
  • Majors: Criminology, Media Studies, Strategic Advertising, Social Media, Media and Communication, Public Relations Studies, Visual Communication Design
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (commencing in 2025)
  • Majors: Criminology, Media Studies, Film and TV Studies, Strategic Advertising, Social Media, Media and Communication, Public Relations Studies, Visual Communication Design
• Bachelor of Communication
  • Majors: Advertising, Digital and Social Media, Journalism, Public Relations
• Bachelor of Criminology

Course and Unit Outline

For further details about Diploma of Communication units, unit availability and trimester structures, please download the course and unit outline.

Course Structure

Required Units

Students are required to complete and pass eight units (1 credit point each) and one compulsory module (0 credit points). From Trimester 2, 2024, some international students will be required to take an additional, compulsory module (0 credit points).

You should choose your units based on the major you plan to take at Deakin University.

• ACC100 Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: Communication in Everyday Life
• ALA101 Advertising Principles and Practices
• ALA102 Creative Brand Communication
• ALR103 Introduction to Public Relations
• ALR104 Strategic Communication and Writing
• ALJ111 Introduction to Journalism
• ALJ112 News Reporting
• ALM101 Making Social Media
• ALM102 Making Video
• ADA102 Designing 3D Animated Environments
• ADD101 Design Thinking
• ADD105 Design Fundamentals
• ADD106 Type Foundations
• ACF104 Screening History
• ADA107 Principles of Animation
• ADT103 UX Fundamentals
• ACI102 Digital Photography
• ADD106 Type Foundations
• ACR101 Introducing Crime and Criminology
• ACR102 Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice
• DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
• LDM100 Language Development Module (0 credit points) (From Trimester 2, 2024)

Your Course Timetable

On-campus

On-campus classes run between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Most units run as 2 x 2-hour classes each week. You can also expect between 4-6 hours of private study per unit, per week.

The Academic Integrity Module is run online and can be completed in 1-2 hours.

The Language Development Module (international students only) is run on campus as a 1 x 2-hour class each week in your first trimester only.

Online

Online study is only available to domestic students. Recorded content, classroom notes, readings, activities and assessments are available online, to be accessed at any time. An optional one-hour live online session is held each week for every unit, and you are strongly encouraged to attend.

Transferring to Deakin University

Australian and International Students

Weighted average mark (WAM) required for transfer, by campus:

| Trimester Intake| Melbourne Burwood| Geelong Waurn Ponds| Online| Maximum Credits
---|---|---|---|---|---
A310 Bachelor of Arts
(B, WP, O)
Major sequences: Strategic Advertising (B, O)
Social Media (B, WP, O)
Media and Communication (B, WP, O)
Public Relations Studies (B, WP, O)| T1
T2
T3| 50| 50| 50| 8
A301 Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) - commencing in 2025
(B, WP, O)
Major sequences: Criminology (B, WP, O)
Media Studies (B,O)
Film and TV Studies (B, O)
Strategic Advertising (B, O)
Social Media (B, WP, O)
Media and Communication (B, WP, O)
Public Relations Studies (B, WP, O)
Visual Communication Design (B, WP, O)| T1
T2| 50| 50| 50| 8
A318 Bachelor of Communication
(B, WP, O)
Major sequences:
Advertising (B, O)
Digital and Social Media (B, WP, O)
Journalism (B, WP, O)
Public Relations (B, WP, O)| T1
T2
T3| 50| 50| 50| 8
A329 Bachelor of Criminology
(B, WP, O)| T1
T2| 50| 50| 50| 8

• Online (O) option is not available to international students
• T1 (Trimester 1 entry); T2 (Trimester 2 entry); T3 (Trimester 3 entry)
• Your undergraduate course at Deakin University may require you to enrol into specific units and/or unit sets in order to meet the course, and/or major/minor sequence requirements. See Diploma to Degree transfer criteria (Domestic students / International students).

Entry Requirements

International Entry Requirements

The following is required for international students:

• Completion of IB Diploma with a score of 22 or above
• GCE A Levels with a pass in 2 subjects
• GCE AS levels with a pass in 4 subjects

Australian Entry Requirements

The following is required for Australian students:

• Successful completion of Year 12 (VCE or equivalent)
• VCE VM completion
• Completion of Cert IV and above
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above
• Work experience - Mature Age only

Bahrain Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bahrain students:

• General Secondary Education Certificate plus 1 year UG study with overall 60%

Bangladesh Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bangladesh students:

• Completion of Higher Secondary Certificate with GPA of 3.5
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Bhutan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bhutan students:

• BHSE Year 12 - 60%

Brazil Entry Requirements

The following is required for Brazil students:

• Satisfactory pass in Certificado de Ensino Medio with an average of 7.0 in 4 subjects

Brunei Entry Requirements

The following is required for Brunei students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Canada Entry Requirements

The following is required for Canada students:

• Completion of Ontario Secondary School Diploma (CPU) or any of the Regional (Provincial) High School Diploma with an overall score of 50%.

Cambodia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Cambodian students:

• Diploma of Upper Secondary Education with a C grade average
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

China Entry Requirements

The following is required for Chinese students:

• Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 (Gao San) with 60%
• Vocational Academic Program - 60%;
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Colombia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Colombia students:

• Successful Completion of Bachiller Académico with a minimum overall average score of 70%

Fiji Entry Requirements

The following is required for Fijian students:

• Successful completion of Form 7 with a B in English and Maths and a pass in all other units, with an overall score of 240

France Entry Requirements

The following is required for French students:

• Baccalaureate with an average of 10

Ghana Entry Requirements

The following is required for Ghana students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Hong Kong Entry Requirements

The following is required for Hong Kong students:

• Completion of HKDSE with a minimum total score of 8 points over the best 4 subjects from Category A and C (Excluding Physical Education)

India Entry Requirements

The following is required for Indian students:

• Completion of Year 12 with a minimum 60%

Indonesia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Indonesien students:

• SMA III with an average grade of 6.5 in 4 academic units
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Iran Entry Requirements

The following is required for Iran students:

• Successful Completion of National High School Diploma (Theoretical steam ) studied for minimum 3 years with an overall grade of 14 or above out of 20.

Japan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Japanese students:

• Successful completion of Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation (Kotogakko) Year 3 with GPA 2.5

Kenya Entry Requirements

The following is required for Kenya students:

• Completion of KCSE with a C grade average
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Korea Entry Requirements

The following is required for Korean students:

• Senior High School Certificate Year 3 (Year 12) with an average rank of 6 in 4 academic subjects
• CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) with a minimum overall grade of 280 in the best 4 subjects from Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
• CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) Stanine of 6 in the best 3 subjects
• GEE (Korea High School Graduation Equivalency Examination Certificate) with a minimum overall average score of 80
• Note: CSAT results must be accompanied by evidence of successful completion of Senior Secondary Studies.

Kuwait Entry Requirements

The following is required for Kuwait students:

• Completion of Shahadat Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 70% average in final results.

Laos Entry Requirements

The following is required for Laos students:

• IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Lebanon Entry Requirements

The following is required for Lebanese students:

• General Secondary Certificate (Lebanese Baccalaureate) - Baccalauréat Libanais with a minimum score of 12 (out of 20).

Macau Entry Requirements

The following is required for Macau students:

• Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 (Form 6) with an average of 60% in 4 academic units

Malawi Entry Requirements

The following is required for Malawi students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Mexico Entry Requirements

The following is required for Mexico students:

• Completion of Mexican Upper Secondary School Program (Bachillerato or Preparatria program) with a minimum 7.0 GPA

Malaysia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Malaysian students:

• STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) with 2 passes (minimum Grade C)
• UEC with a pass in 4 academic subjects
• GCE A Levels with a pass in 2 subjects
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Mongolia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Mongolia students:

• Successful completion of Gerchilgee (Certificate of Senior Secondary Education) with an overall average score of 70%

Myanmar Entry Requirements

The following is required for Myanmar students:

• Completion of Basic Education High School Exam with grade of 50% in final year results
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Nepal Entry Requirements

The following is required for Nepalese students:

• Completion of Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Year 12) with a GPA of 2.4

New Zealand Entry Requirements

The following is required for New Zealand students:

• Completion of National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 with a minimum of 42 credits in 3 approved subjects at Level 3

Nigeria Entry Requirements

The following is required for Nigerian students:

• Senior Secondary School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) with 5 grades at C6 level
• IB Diploma score of minimum 22
• Successful completion of GCE A-levels: passes in minimum 2 subjects

Oman Entry Requirements

The following is required for Oman students:

• Additional year of study following General Secondary Education Certificate or Year 12 American program

Pakistan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Pakistan students:

• Completion of Higher Secondary School Certificate with a grade average of 55%
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Papua New Guinea Entry Requirements

The following is required for Papua New Guinea students:

• Higher School Certificate with a grade average of 70%

Philippines Entry Requirements

The following is required for Philippines students:

• Successful completion of Year 12 with an 80% average
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Russian Entry Requirements

The following is required for Russian students:

• Successful completion of Certificate of Secondary (Complete) General Education with an overall grade average of 3.0

Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Saudi Arabia students:

• Additional year of study following General Secondary Education Certificate or Year 12 American program

Singapore Entry Requirements

The following is required for Singapore students:

• 2 H2 passes in GCE A-levels
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above

South Africa Entry Requirements

The following is required for South African students:

• Successful completion of Year 12

Sri Lanka Entry Requirements

The following is required for Sri Lankan students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels or equivalent

Sweden Entry Requirements

The following is required for Sweden students:

• Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a score of 10 points.

Taiwan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Taiwan students:

• Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 with a B or 60% average in 4 academic units

Tanzania Entry Requirements

The following is required for Tanzania students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Thailand Entry Requirements

The following is required for Thailand students:

• Successful completion of Matayom 6 with a GPA of 2.0
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Turkey Entry Requirements

The following is required for Turkey students:

• Successful completion of Lise Diplomasi with GPA of 3.0

UAE Entry Requirements

The following is required for UAE students:

• Successful completion of Secondary Education Certificate (Year 12) with a minimum overall average score of 80% or higher.

Uganda Entry Requirements

The following is required for Uganda students:

• Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with passes in at least 2 principal studies plus Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with passes in 6 studies
• Successful completion of GCE A-levels: passes in minimum 2 subjects

UK Entry Requirements

The following is required for UK students:

• GCE A Levels with a pass in 2 subjects
• GCE AS levels with a pass in 4 subjects

USA Entry Requirements

The following is required for USA students:

• Successful completion of American High School Diploma with a minimum score of 2.0; or
• Successful completion of Year 12 or equivalent PLUS with a SAT score of 1000; or
• Successful completion of GED (High School Equivalency) with a minimum overall score of 580, and no content area module below 145.

Vietnam Entry Requirements

The following is required for Vietnam students:

• Successful completion of Year 12 with a 6.0 GPA
• IB Diploma score of 22 or above
• 2 passes in GCE A-levels
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Zambia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Zambia students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Zimbabwe Entry Requirements

The following is required for Zimbabwe students:

• 2 passes in GCE A-levels

English Language Entry Requirements

International students must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency before being admitted to this course.

See requirements

Transfer Guidelines

View the transfer requirements for the Diploma of Communication below.

Domestic Students

International Students