Graduate Diploma of Communication
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Communication |
| Deakin course code | A639 |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Course version | 4 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2018 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 084026F Burwood (Melbourne) |
| 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Advance your current skill set, expand your professional network and explore the technological, political and social changes disrupting the communication industry. In Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Communication, you will learn the power of persuasive communication and critical thinking. Gain specialist knowledge and the skills to thrive in roles that influence opinion.
Tailor your degree to your career goals – study areas like writing the news, brand storytelling, public relations campaigns, design strategies, media law and more. Enjoy a flexible, supported and stimulating learning environment, with a pathway into the Master of Communication. Learn from staff with experience at the BBC, Associated Press, Fairfax, Samsung and Penguin Books. With work-integrated learning opportunities available, including an optional 100-hour placement, you can volunteer, network with industry or choose to intern. Graduate as an adaptable communications practitioner, prepared for industry changes.
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 Diploma of Communication can prepare you for roles such as:
- public relations specialist
- investigative journalist
- corporate affairs director
- media adviser
- communications consultant
- technical writer
- visual designer
- social media manager
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
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.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Master of Communication (A743)
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Communication (A539) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply specialist skills and knowledge of communication methods and concepts in professional and scholarly contexts. |
| Use advanced 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. |
| 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. |
| Critically analyse and evaluate complex ideas in communication theory, and communicate conclusions in the context of professional decision-making and scholarship. |
| Use advanced cognitive skills in communication in identify, investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information in the context of generating creative solutions to industry and scholarly problems. |
| Employ autonomy, accountability and initiative when responding creatively to new situations in professional communication contexts. |
| Work and learn collaboratively in professional communication practice and in scholarly contexts, including exercising initiative and accountability as a team member. |
| 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
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Communication you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 8 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 and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
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
Select 8 credit points of Communication units from:
| ACC700 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship |
| ACC717 | Law, Ethics and Communication Practice |
| ACF700 | Writing with the Camera |
| ACF705 | Documentary Production Practice |
| ACI700 | Digital Practices and the Creative Arts |
| ACX701 | Communication Concepts |
| ALC702 | Making Sense and Dollars in Communities Online |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| ALR703 | Digital Brand Storytelling |
| ALR704 | Reputation Management: Crisis, Risk and Responsibility |
| ALR710 | Advanced Brand Communication |
| ALR718 | Communication for Social Change |
| ASM700 | Sports Media in the Digital Age |
ACG702 Design for the Physical World [No longer available for enrolment]
ACG703 Design Systems [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ACG706 Design for the Digital World [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ACG708 Design Strategies [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ALJ716 Writing the News [No longer available for enrolment]
ALJ722 The Power and Perils of True Stories [No longer available for enrolment]
ALR700 Public Relations Campaigns [No longer available for enrolment]
ALR701 Writing for Brands [No longer available for enrolment]
ALR733 Advertising Theory and Practice [No longer available for enrolment]
ASM701 Sport Commentary [No longer available for enrolment]
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.