Key facts
Duration
Locations
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
Graduate Certificate of Communication provides students an opportunity to expand their skills in ever-changing communications and media industries.
Communications and Media are the world's fastest-growing industries. These industries are also an area of rapid and continuous technological, political, economic and social change. You can choose from a wide range of units in Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Communication to gain distinctive interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary perspective of ever-changing media industries.
Units in Public Relations, Journalism, Digital Media, Television Production and Visual Communication Design are available in the Graduate Certificate of Communication, which also give you credits towards Deakin's Master of Communication.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Communication
- Year
- 2018 course information
- Deakin code
- A539
- CRICOS code?
- 083989G Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
- This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
- Students must complete 4 units in Communication from the list below
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 learning outcomes. Students using the certificate as a pathway into the Master of Communication are strongly advised to complete ACX701 Communication Concepts as two of the 4 credits; students using the certificate to seek entry to a specialised diploma should take all four units from a single sub-field to permit credit for those units to be granted into the diploma.
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)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
Please Note: Trimester 3 unit offerings are limited
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work 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. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
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 Credit for Prior Learning 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.
Tuition fees are determined by your enrolment:
- If you are offered a full fee paying place, your tuition fees are calculated based on your course.
- If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the units you choose. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Credit for Prior Learning.
* One year full-time study load is typically represented by four credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 4 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
You may be eligible for the Government's FEE-HELP scheme. This scheme covers your tuition fees and can help make studying significantly more affordable.
It's similar to HECS-HELP, but designed for full-fee place courses. It doesn't matter how much you earn, you may still be eligible for FEE-HELP.
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.
Contact information
Arts and Education Student Services and Enrolment Enquiries
Burwood (Melbourne)
Tel 03 9246 8100
artsed@deakin.edu.au
Cloud (online)
Tel 03 5227 1359
artsed@deakin.edu.au
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 | Acquire specialist knowledge and skills in professional communication. Demonstrate specialist knowledge of, and skills in the application of contemporary communication methods in professional and scholarly contexts |
| Communication | Use specialist cognitive and technical skills in communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a variety of modes across a range professional communication contexts |
| Digital literacy | Acquire specialist skills in generic and specific digital technologies used to address a range of communication needs in professional contexts and for diverse audiences within and outside the communications industry |
| Critical thinking | Acquire advanced cognitive skills in the analysis and critical evaluation of communications theory and its application in professional practice and scholarship. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate complex ideas, develop appropriate methodologies and communicate conclusions in professional communication and scholarly contexts |
| Problem solving | Use specialist cognitive skills in communications to identify, investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems and concepts and develop creative solutions in professional practice and scholarly contexts |
| Self-management | Employ autonomy, accountability and initiative in responding creatively to new situations in professional contexts |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate initiative and accountability in working and learning collaboratively in professional communications practice and scholarly contexts |
| Global citizenship | Acquire specialist understanding of, and the ability to reflect on issues in communications 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 by Faculty Board November 2017 | |
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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.