100-hour placement experience option
Learn from experts with industry experience
Pathway into a masters degree
Why choose communication at Deakin
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.
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#1 in the state of Victoria
Deakin ranks #1 for postgraduate communication overall experience and teaching practices.
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Industry-shaped teaching
Learn from staff with experience at the BBC, Associated Press, Fairfax, Samsung and Penguin Books.
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Practical learning
Internship and work-integrated learning opportunities help you build experience and grow your professional networks.
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Flexible study pathways
Tailor your degree, then progress to the Master of Communication with recognition of prior learning on completion.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced communication skills for careers across media, public relations and digital channels. Develop strategies, create content, manage media relationships and help organisations engage diverse audiences.
Communications adviser
Develop communication and media strategies, manage media enquiries and relationships. Create speeches, press releases and digital content that support organisational objectives and clear public messaging.
- $103k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 1,869
Jobs advertised
Public relations manager
Lead public relations activity, manage media relationships and oversee corporate and crisis communications. You may guide messaging, campaigns and stakeholder engagement across traditional and digital channels.
- $105k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 12.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Other jobs
- Investigative journalist
- Corporate affairs director
- Media adviser
- Communications consultant
- Technical writer
- Social media manager
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Diploma of Communication?
This graduate diploma moves straight into advanced communication study, with a compact one-year structure built around flexible communication electives. You develop specialist knowledge alongside the critical, digital and professional capabilities needed to work with ideas, audiences and industry change.
Build your specialist practice
Start with strong study foundations
Complete Deakin’s academic integrity module while settling into the ethical, independent and accountable habits expected in postgraduate study.
Shape your learning around your goals
Most of the degree is made up of communication electives; you can build depth in one area or combine related interests for a broader professional profile.
Apply ideas to industry
Connect communication concepts and critical thinking with practical work, including work-integrated learning opportunities that strengthen your experience and networks.
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.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Select 8 credit points of Communication units from:
What to expect while studying
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.
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.
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| 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
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Communication
- Year
2027 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$42,600
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical full-time enrolment of 8 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to: