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Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts

Postgraduate coursework

Move your career in a new direction by collaborating on real-world creative projects and customise your degree to match your interests.

6 creative specialisations to choose from

Build practical experience in world-class creative studios

Graduate with an impressive portfolio of work

Key facts

Duration

This course is 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent duration.

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2025 close 22 June 2025

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Upskill for the creative career you’ve always wanted with the Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts. Collaborate on real-world creative projects to build your portfolio and customise your degree to match your personal and professional interests.

Ready to join a high-achieving group of like-minded creatives on the path to career progression?

The Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts allows you to hone your creative practice alongside students from our six creative arts disciplines: visual arts, photography, animation and motion capture, visual communication design, dance and drama. By collaborating with artists from different fields, you will broaden your understanding of creativity while developing transferable skills that employers value, such as imaginative thinking, problem solving and leadership.

On top of core units of study, you will strengthen your creative repertoire with six elective units. Your electives can play to your strengths, or help you upskill in an unfamiliar discipline. Some of your elective options include:

  • Writing with the Camera
  • Documentary Production Practice
  • Arts Marketing
  • Introduction to Digital Photography
  • Design Thinking and Problem Solving.

Elective units provide lots of practical experience, including industry-relevant creative projects that challenge you to apply theoretical frameworks in teams and as an individual. You can also get hands-on in our professional standard facilities, including TV broadcast studios, dance and drama studios, a professional photographic light studio, visual arts and design studios and dedicated gallery spaces.

While there are many exciting career pathways for graduates, there are also opportunities for further study upon successful completion of the course. If you want to continue building your creative expertise, you might like to articulate into Deakin’s Master of Creative Arts.

Read More

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts, 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 Creative Arts includes:

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
  • 2 credit points of core units
  • 6 credit points of 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.

2

Core units

6

Elective units

8

Total units

Core Units

  • Contemporary Debates in the Creative Arts
  • Transgressive Acts in Cinema, Art, Performance

Elective units

Choose 6 credit points of electives from within the Master of Creative Arts, Master of Communication or Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)

Other units that may be counted as electives are:

  • Creativity and the Arts
  • Arts Marketing
  • Arts Management
  • Culture, Arts and Sports as Community Development
  • Introduction to Digital Photography
  • Social Media Content Creation
  • Design Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Writing with the Camera
  • Documentary Production Practice
  • Creating Your Arts Business

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.

Note: Disciplines of offer

Burwood (Melbourne) - Animation & Motion Capture, Dance, Drama, Film & TV, Photography, Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design 

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.

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:

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
$24,600 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. 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

$12

per pay cycle

Take-home pay
after FEE-HELP and tax

$977

per pay cycle

Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments

  • $24,600* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts (8 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
  • $624 is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
  • 1% of your current salary be spent on 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.

Search or browse through our scholarships

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.

Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

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.

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.

Careers

Career outcomes

Graduate with specialist knowledge, transferable creative skills and real-world experience that prepares you for a diverse range of creative roles in areas such as:

  • entrepreneurship and management in the creative arts
  • design
  • video, sound and multimedia production
  • freelancing as a creator or artist
  • art production and curation
  • consulting.

Your skills will be sought-after in museums and galleries, all levels of government, boutique art companies and design agencies. You can also explore opportunities in festivals, community events and curatorial projects typically funded by government and philanthropic entities.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.