Key facts
Duration
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Locations
Course overview
Take your career to new heights in an industry famed for its progression and pace. Advance your current skillset, expand your professional network and actively contribute to real industry challenges.
Looking for an adaptable communications qualification that will solidify your expertise and boost your employment opportunities?
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 Diploma of Communication gives 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. 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.
Explore theoretical concepts and frameworks and learn how to apply them in a practical setting. With internship and work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities available, you can enhance your employment capabilities while expanding your professional networks.
The Graduate Diploma 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 a holistic and adaptable communications practitioner well-prepared for the inevitable industry advances, challenges, and opportunities yet to come.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 June 2026
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2026 close 18 October 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Communication
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- A639
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 084026F Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Flexible course delivery
Deakin’s blend of online and on-campus learning means you can balance work, study and personal development. Achieve work-life balance – study with Deakin's dedicated support and flexible learning options.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Communication, you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Communication includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their 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.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Select 8 credit points of Communication units from:
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
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.
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.
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.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
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.
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: advertising, content writing, event planning, public relations, editing. Ensure your CV include an employment reference or confirmation of employment.
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)
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.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
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 and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$27,800 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year 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.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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 fees and available payment options.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan – including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP – depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Need more information on how to apply?
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Master of Communication (A743)
Alternate exits
Career outcomes
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.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| 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 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
