Key facts
Duration
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Designed in close consultation with industry, the Graduate Diploma of Digital Media prepares media professionals for the world's digital future. Build your expertise through extensive practical experience and access professional development opportunities that set you up for your next big role.
Want to study and work at the forefront of digital media practice?
In a world increasingly impacted by digital and online developments, professionals with a mastery of digital platforms are more sought-after than ever. As a result, a postgraduate qualification in digital media is incredibly valuable for career-minded content creators across media, marketing, journalism and public relations industries. You’ll graduate from the course as a confident digital storyteller, with the curiosity and desire to make a difference in the world through communication.
The course trains you in skills that reflect the evolving needs of the industry. Explore, analyse, create and share digital content while learning how to creatively select and assemble media elements to develop personal or brand identities, stories and narratives. Some of our key areas of study include:
- designing for web
- social media content creation
- building online communities
- digital curation and marketing.
Across all study areas are common themes of creative problem solving and collaboration – key capabilities of the modern digital media professional. You’ll also learn about entrepreneurship, creative business planning and developing a professional identity, giving you the confidence to build your brand from the ground up and nurture your ideas into content with impact.
A highlight of the course is having the freedom to select elective units from any other postgraduate course in the School of Communication and Creative Arts. This allows you to expand your expertise beyond just digital media and develop complementary skills in areas you’re passionate about.
As you progress through the course, you will see your specialist expertise grow through practical learning opportunities on and off campus. Get hands-on with:
- real-world assessment tasks, such as designing digital content strategies
- internships that allow you to develop digital media solutions for real clients.
While a Graduate Diploma of Digital Media opens the door to many exciting digital roles in Australia and abroad, there are also opportunities for further study upon successful completion of the course. If you want to continue building your portfolio and take part in a professional capstone program, you might like to articulate into Deakin’s Master of Communication.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Digital Media
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- A634
- CRICOS code?
- 096524M 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 qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Digital Media, students must successfully complete:
- 6 credit points in Digital Media from the units listed below, plus
- 2 credit points of electives, plus
-
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
6
Core digital media units
2
Elective units
8
Total
Core Units
Electives
Electives may be chosen from the remaining units above or from any other postgraduate course in the School of Communication and Creative Arts; students who intend to move from the diploma into the Master of Communication are strongly advised to take ACX701 Communication Concepts for their two elective credit points.
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
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 to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
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
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. 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.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP payments
per pay cycle
Take-home pay
after FEE-HELP and tax
per pay cycle
Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments
- $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Diploma of Digital Media (8 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
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
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
As a graduate, you will be able to confidently develop digital media content and solutions across a diverse range of platforms. This will allow you to seamlessly transition between the evolving media roles of the future.
With experience building and engaging online communities, you will also be prepared to excel in social media roles across any number of industries. On top of that, your training in entrepreneurship and creative business planning will ensure you have the skills to work as a freelancer or start your own business, opening the door to an exciting global career.
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 advanced theoretical knowledge of contemporary digital and online media environments in order to evaluate processes and practices in media and cultural industry contexts. |
| Communication | Communicate ideas, arguments, and analyses in written, digital, and oral formats that meet academic and media practitioner standards for a diverse range of digital media audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise a range of digital media to communicate a variety of messages online to a professional standard. |
| Critical thinking | Apply advanced cognitive skills when engaging with contemporary media debates, issues, and industry contexts in relation to their social, cultural, economic, legal, and ethical aspects. |
| Problem solving | Respond in a skilled and knowledgeable way to industry-based problems and solve these through a strategic application of digital and online media tools, platforms, and practices. |
| Self-management | Employ autonomy, accountability and initiative when responding effectively and creatively to new situations in professional digital media contexts. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate effectively with peers in online environments, working together to solve complex problems by completing media projects. |
| Global citizenship | Apply an advanced knowledge of legal and ethical issues in relation to online media in a globalised media context, taking into account intellectual property, social justice, diversities, and environmental impact. |
Approved at Faculty Board November 2022