Key facts
Locations
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
At least six credit points from the list below:
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
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
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer. Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. 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 tuition fees.
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
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.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
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