Diploma in Media & Communication

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What is a Diploma?

A Diploma is a 12-month course that gives you the foundational skills and knowledge in a specific area of study. A Diploma in Media & Communication will take you straight into Second Year of one of three programs at UNSW.  

It's a great option for international students, if you need a bit more support, but don't want to add extra time to your degree. If you've just missed out on direct entry into your preferred bachelor's degree, or hold qualifications that aren't recognised by UNSW Sydney, this could also be the program for you. 
Intakes

January, May, August

Duration

12 months (3 terms)

Weekly class time

Approximately 20-25 hours

Progression

Second Year, Bachelor of Media (Communication and Journalism), Bachelor of Media (Public Relations and Advertising) or Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production) at UNSW Sydney

Delivery mode

On-campus
Diploma Pathway Responsive

Who is this program for?

The UNSW Diploma Program has been designed specifically for international students. Our Diplomas make it easy to adjust to university, with: 

  • smaller classes and at least 20% extra teaching time 
  • additional English and academic skill support 
  • course material equivalent to First Year courses within the UNSW Sydney degree, and 
  • access to the same facilities and resources as undergraduate students. 

Once you successfully complete a UNSW Diploma in Media & Communication, you will progress Second Year at UNSW to study a Bachelor of Media (Communication and Journalism), Bachelor of Media (Public Relations and Advertising) or Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production), preparing you for your future career. 

Why study media & communication at UNSW Sydney?

Contemporary media is a dynamic, global, and increasingly complex topic. By studying media and communications at UNSW, you will investigate the professional, social, cultural, political, economic and philosophical impacts that contemporary media has on our daily lives. 

It’s the place to tap into your creativity while learning about the world around you. 

Led by academics actively engaged in media industries, this bachelor’s degree opens a world of opportunities to help you pursue your media career. 

By studying media and communications, you will develop practical vocational skills and conceptual, strategic, creative, and critical capabilities to help set you apart within the industry. 

Career opportunities

  • Corporate Communications Manager 
  • Advertising Strategist 
  • Public Relations Consultant 
  • Brand Manager 
  • Journalist 
  • Filmmaker 
  • Animator 
  • Copywriter 
  • Publicist 
  • Media Advisor 

Your future at UNSW

Once you successfully complete a UNSW Diploma in Media & Communication, you will progress to Second Year at UNSW Sydney to study a Bachelor of Media (Communication and Journalism), Bachelor of Media (Public Relations and Advertising) or Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production). From here you will choose a degree major to focus your studies on your future career.  

Note: Diploma in Media and Communication students must achieve a Satisfactory Grade (equivalent to IELTS 6.5) for the Communication and Academic Literacy course and a minimum pass for all other courses to progress to Second Year of the relevant degree program at UNSW. Students will undertake eight courses in total, including three to five core or prescribed courses, three to five faculty electives and one general education elective (Communication and Academic Literacy course). 
  • Top 50
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2022.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

Program structure

UNSW Diploma students learn the fundamentals required for their future studies in courses that are equivalent to First Year undergraduate courses at UNSW Sydney. 

You get the added benefit of extra support to equip you with the academic and English skills you need to succeed. This will give you a strong basis for your journey into Second Year at UNSW Sydney. 

For more information on each program, see below. 

  • What is communication & journalism? 

    In today’s media industry, effective and ethical communication means using multi-platform storytelling techniques and having diverse professional skills. Leaders in this field tackle complex issues while participating in a global industry.  

    Communication & journalism Diploma courses 

    View an example of the courses you will be studying in your Diploma in Media & Communication at UNSW Global below. 

    Communication & journalism Courses 

    • Media and Communication Contexts 
    • News Fundamentals 
    • Media Entrepreneurship 
    • Media, Society & Politics 
    • Working with Data 
    • Public Relations and Advertising Foundations 
    • Introduction to Film Studies 
    • Screen Production 1 
    • Communication & Academic Literacy 

  • What is public relations & advertising? 

    This discipline covers the role and responsibilities of persuasive communication, and how to add value through social engagement, innovation and enterprise. You’ll learn how to engage ethically with audiences and communities, using different communication styles and media. This is a rapidly changing industry, and there is always something new to learn. 

    Public relations & advertising Diploma courses 

    View an example of the courses you will be studying in your Diploma in Media & Communication at UNSW Global below. 

    Public relations & advertising courses 

    • Media and Communication Contexts 
    • News Fundamentals 
    • Media Entrepreneurship 
    • Media, Society & Politics 
    • Working with Data 
    • Public Relations and Advertising Foundations 
    • Introduction to Film Studies 
    • Screen Production 1 
    • Communication & Academic Literacy 

  • What is screen & sound production? 

    Useful across a broad range of audio-visual, digital and screen production industries, screen & sound production deals with audio, visual and digital production skills. That means using the latest video cameras, audio recorders, microphones, lights, dollies and gimbals, as well as advanced editing software. Experts in this area work in advanced multimedia labs, digital video production and post-production facilities, animation and audio production studios. 

    Screen & sound production Diploma courses 

    View an example of the courses you will be studying in your Diploma in Media & Communication at UNSW Global below. 

    Screen & sound production courses 

    • Media and Communication Contexts 
    • News Fundamentals 
    • Media Entrepreneurship 
    • Media, Society & Politics 
    • Working with Data 
    • Public Relations and Advertising Foundations 
    • Introduction to Film Studies 
    • Screen Production 1 
    • Communication & Academic Literacy 

Entry requirements

The UNSW Diploma Program is designed specifically for international students, as a pathway to study at UNSW. To gain entry, students must meet specific English and academic entry requirements. For more information on these, visit Diploma and UEEC entry requirements.

View entry requirements


If you don’t meet the academic entry requirements for a UNSW Diploma Program, you can study a UNSW Foundation Studies Program first.

If you need help meeting the English language requirements, you could study the University English Entry Course (UEEC) before starting your UNSW Diploma Program.

Academic calendars

The academic calendar consists of important dates throughout your study period such as orientation, census dates, study weeks, exam weeks and breaks for your program or course of study.
Orientation Start Census Finish Continue to second Year at UNSW Calendar

 

 

6–May–22

 

 

 

 

9–May–22

 

 

 

 

29–May–22

 

 

 

 

28–Apr–23

 

 

 

 

Term 2 – 29 May 2023

 

 

 

 

View Calendar

 

 

 

 

26–Aug–22

 

 

 

 

29–Aug–22

 

 

 

 

18–Sep–22

 

 

 

 

18–Aug–23

 

 

 

 

Term 3 – 11 Sep 2023

 

 

 

 

View Calendar

 

 

 

 

13–Jan–23

 

 

 

 

16–Jan–23

 

 

 

 

5–Feb–23

 

 

 

 

8–Dec–23

 

 

 

 

Term 1 – 12 Feb 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diploma fees
2022 tuition fees

$A39,040

To see how tuition fees are broken down by course and units of credit (UOC), visit this page.

UNSW Global fee information.

Note: The tuition fee that you will pay depends on the calendar year in which you undertake your study in the course. Fees are reviewed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed, so it’s important to remember that indicative tuition fees shown above are not guaranteed. Any update to fees is effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are for tuition only – other fees and charges are not included.

 

Scholarships

Potential scholarships up to
$A7,500

UNSW Sydney International Student Award
Start a Diploma Program in 2022 to receive a 15% contribution towards your tuition fees.
This award is available to students from eligible countries who are starting their UNSW Diploma studies in Term 2 and Term 3, 2022.  

UNSW Pathway Scholarships
This scholarship is for high-achieving international students who wish to study a Diploma or Foundation Studies Program.

Find out more and apply here.

Ready to apply?

If you are an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you can apply for admission to a UNSW Diploma program through UAC:

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification such as HSC, VCE, WACE etc (either outside or in Australia)
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
  • a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3.

Click 'Apply now' for more information on starting your academic journey with UNSW Global.
Apply now
Program Code

7005

CRICOS Code

107827A

UAC Code

Coming soon

Why study with UNSW Global?

  • Your path to a global top 50 university

    Successfully complete a Diploma Program and progress directly to Second Year of a Bachelor of Media at UNSW Sydney.

  • Support as you learn

    The Diploma Program is designed for international students like you, so you can develop English language and academic skills to take the next step with confidence.

  • Directly connected to UNSW

    The program is accredited by UNSW Sydney and provides full access to UNSW’s world class libraries, clubs and societies.
Diploma in Science student Claudia from Indonesia
The UNSW Diploma Program has helped me by implementing the bases of knowledge needed to progress further with our studies. Furthermore, it gave me more information that helped me decide which major I want to take in university and what path I want to take in the future.

Claudia Velda Widjaja

Diploma student