Graduate Certificate of Communication

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Communication
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Campus note	Trimester 3 unit offerings are limited
Length	0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$20,400 AUD
CRICOS code	083989G Burwood (Melbourne)
Level	Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Deakin course code	A539
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

In a world of perpetual change, where facts and opinion often collide, one thing remains certain: the need for skilled communicators. Broaden your knowledge, and your mind, to gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market.

Keen to dip into postgraduate communications study to boost your current skillset and advance your career?

With unprecedented advancement in technology and the increasing globalisation of business enterprises, strategic communication and critical thinking skills are a highly valued, modern-day commodity. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Communication will give you the specialist knowledge and skills to empower you to thrive in roles that influence and shape opinion.

Tailor your degree to your career goals – undertake intensive study in journalism, television production, public relations, digital media or visual communication design, or explore cross-disciplinary study. Enjoy a flexible, supported and stimulating learning environment, while collaborating with like-minded students, including those already working in industry.

Explore theoretical concepts and frameworks and learn how to apply them in a practical setting. Learn from experienced staff and experts in the field, who ensure our course content stays up-to-date with the latest technological advances, industry demands and market conditions.

The Graduate Certificate of Communication is also an articulation pathway into the Master of Communication. Should you be interested in continuing your studies, you can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) upon successful completion of this course.

Whether you’re looking to upskill, change roles or challenge yourself in a new discipline, you will graduate well-prepared for the inevitable industry advances, challenges and opportunities yet to come.

Fees and charges

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which 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 you have.

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. 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 tuition fees.

Career opportunities

Now more than ever is a great time to be in the media and communications industry. From media agencies and newsrooms, to publications, community relations and government organisations, anywhere in the world – the career opportunities are vast.

Our Graduate Certificate of Communication can prepare you for roles such as:

public relations specialist
journalist
media adviser
communications consultant
technical writer
visual designer
social media manager

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply specialist skills and knowledge of communication methods and concepts in professional and scholarly contexts.
Communication	Use specialist cognitive and technical skills to communicate ideas, arguments, and solutions to problems in a variety of modes across a range of professional and scholarly contexts.
Digital literacy	Make expert use of digital technologies to address a range of communication needs in professional contexts and for diverse audiences within and outside the communication industries.
Critical thinking	Critically analyse and evaluate complex ideas in communication theory and communicate conclusions in the context of professional decision-making and scholarship.
Problem solving	Use specialised knowledge and skills in communication to identify, investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information in the context of generating creative solutions to industry and scholarly problems.
Self-management	Employ autonomy, accountability and initiative when responding creatively to new situations in professional communication contexts.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively in professional communication practice and in scholarly contexts, including exercising initiative and accountability as a team member.
Global citizenship	Critically reflect on communication-related issues in both domestic and global contexts, as a scholar and in professional practice, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards.

Approved at Faculty Board November 2022

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Communication, you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
4 credit points of communication course elective units

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Note:

Students are strongly encouraged to look at specific concentrations and patterns of unit choice that develop their professional communication skills and should seek advice to create the best combination available to them to achieve their specific course objectives and learning outcomes. Students using the Graduate Certificate as a pathway into the Master of Communication are strongly advised to complete ACX701 Communication Concepts as two of their 4 credit points.

Students using the Graduate Certificate to seek entry into a specialised diploma should take all four units from a single sub-field to enable credit for those units to be granted towards the diploma.

Course structure

Core units

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Electives

ACC717

Media Law and Ethics

ACF700

Writing with the Camera

ACF705

Documentary Production Practice

ACG702

Design for the Physical World **

ACG703

Design Systems **

ACG706

Design for the Digital World **

ACG708

Design Strategies **

ACI700

Digital Art and Photography

ACX701

Communication Concepts (2 credit points)

ALC702

Making Sense of Communities Online

ALC708

Social Media Content Creation

ALJ716

Writing the News **

ALJ722

The Power and Perils of True Stories **

ALR700

Public Relations Campaigns **

ALR701

Writing for Brands **

ALR703

Digital Brand Storytelling

ALR704

Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility

ALR710

Advanced Brand Communication

ALR718

Communication for Social Change

ALR733

Advertising Theory and Practice **

ASM700

Introduction to Sports Media

ASM701

Sport Commentary **

** 2026 is the final year of offer for this unit

Admission criteria

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).

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: journalist, public relations specialist, content writer, advertising.

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:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

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.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:

Graduate Diploma of Communication (A639)
Master of Communication (A743)

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer. Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

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.

Course duration

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

Work experience

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

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.

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.