Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication at Rhodes International College is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing and communications roles, or who already work in the field and want a formal credential. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is practical and job-focused rather than academic in orientation. You will study how to develop marketing plans, manage campaigns, conduct market research, build and maintain a brand, write for different channels, and coordinate communications with customers and stakeholders. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, case studies, group projects and presentations rather than final exams alone, so you are building a portfolio of work you can show employers.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying a set number of credit points. To finish the Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication you need to complete all the required units, which usually includes a set of core marketing and communication subjects plus some electives. The course is delivered over one year of full-time study, typically across two semesters or trimesters, though some colleges offer a mid-year intake as well. There is no honours year attached to a diploma, that is a separate pathway that follows a bachelor degree. If you want to keep studying afterwards, many Australian universities give credit towards a bachelor degree for completed diploma units, so it is worth asking about articulation arrangements before you enrol.

What you actually learn

Expect to spend time on things like writing a marketing plan from scratch, analysing a target market, choosing the right channels for a campaign, and measuring whether it worked. You will learn to write copy for web, social media, email and print, and to tailor the same message to different audiences. There is usually a strong emphasis on digital tools, analytics, content management systems, social media scheduling and reporting. Group work is common because marketing and communications are team activities in most Australian organisations, and you will get practice presenting ideas to a room. Some colleges build in a work placement or industry project, which gives you Australian workplace experience and a referee for your first job here. Ask Rhodes International College directly whether placement is part of your intake.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a fast, practical entry into marketing rather than a three-year degree, career changers who want a recognised qualification in under a year, and people already working in admin, sales or customer service who want to move into a marketing or communications role. International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, which is enough to pick up part-time work in retail, hospitality or an agency while you build local experience. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available depending on your circumstances, check the Department of Home Affairs website for current rules. English requirements for entry are typically IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Student visa itself has a separate English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 106451C. Always confirm fees, intakes, unit lists and credit arrangements on the official Rhodes International College page before you apply.

• Marketing coordinator, supporting campaigns, tracking budgets and reporting on results for agencies, retailers and not-for-profits.
• Digital marketing assistant, running social media accounts, scheduling content and pulling analytics for small businesses and online retailers.
• Communications officer, drafting newsletters, media releases and internal updates for government departments, universities and community organisations.
• Content writer or copywriter, producing web, email and social copy for agencies, publishers and in-house marketing teams.
• Events and promotions assistant, coordinating launches, trade shows and community events for brands and industry bodies.
• Sales and marketing support, working with business development teams in property, tourism, technology and professional services.
• Customer engagement or community manager, handling online communities and customer enquiries for service businesses and membership organisations.

Australian employers in retail, tourism, financial services, health, education, government and the creative industries all hire at this level. Many graduates start in assistant or coordinator roles and move into specialist positions after a couple of years, or use the diploma as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree with credit.