Key facts
Duration
Locations
Note: Trimester 3 unit offerings are limited
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2025 close 22 June 2025
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2025 close 26 October 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
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.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Communication
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- A539
- CRICOS code?
- 083989G 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
Course structure
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 core 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.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Core Units
ACF702 Television Commercial Production [No longer available for enrolment]
ACF703 Fractured TV: Audiences, Formats, Technology and Regulation [No longer available for enrolment]
ALR731 Public Relations Theory and Practice [No longer available for enrolment]
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.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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.
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)
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.
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
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.
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. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four 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.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
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.
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:
Graduate Diploma of Visual Communication Design (A638)
Graduate Diploma of Communication (A639)
Master of Communication (A743)
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
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 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'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 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
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Footnotes
** QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
++Some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.
+ Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of media references.