Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Diploma of Marketing and Communication at Canberra College of Management and Technology is a practical, one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing, advertising, public relations or communications. You study how to plan campaigns, write for different audiences, use digital and social media, understand consumer behaviour, and measure whether a campaign actually worked. Assessment is mostly project-based, so you build a portfolio of work you can show employers.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas sit at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. They are usually delivered over two or three semesters, or equivalent trimesters, and are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. The Diploma of Marketing and Communication is a 1.5-year course, so expect roughly three semesters of study. You will complete core units in marketing principles and communication, plus electives that let you specialise. There is no research thesis at diploma level. Instead, many courses finish with a capstone project where you develop a full marketing plan for a real or simulated client. Work-integrated learning, such as an industry placement or a live client project, is common in this field and lets you apply your skills in a real workplace.

What you will learn

You will learn to research markets, identify target audiences, and build campaign plans across channels. Writing skills matter: you will produce copy for websites, social media, email and media releases. You will also learn to use analytics tools to track performance and report results. Teamwork and client communication are built into most units because marketing is rarely a solo job. By the end, you should be able to take a brief, develop a communication strategy, and present it clearly.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a job-ready qualification without committing to a full bachelor degree, and people already working in administration, sales or customer service who want to move into marketing. It also works as a pathway: many Australian institutions offer credit towards a bachelor degree for diploma study, so you can start with the diploma and articulate into further study later. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish. English requirements are set by the institution and by the Department of Home Affairs for the student visa, so check both. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm current details on the official course page.

• Marketing coordinator – supporting campaign delivery, scheduling and reporting for agencies, retailers or not-for-profits.
• Digital marketing assistant – running social media accounts, email newsletters and basic paid ads.
• Communications officer – drafting media releases, internal updates and website content for government, education or health organisations.
• Public relations assistant – helping manage media relationships and event promotion.
• Advertising account coordinator – liaising between clients and creative teams in advertising agencies.
• Sales and marketing support – working with sales teams to produce collateral and track leads.

These roles exist across Australia in advertising and media agencies, government departments, universities, hospitals, retail chains, technology companies and not-for-profits. Marketing and communication skills are needed in every industry, so you are not tied to one sector.