Graduate Certificate in Communication (Standard)

The Graduate Certificate in Communication is a short postgraduate qualification for people who want to build skills in media, writing and communication without committing to a full master's degree. It runs 36 weeks and sits at graduate certificate level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is AQF level 8 — one step above a bachelor degree and below a master's. At UTS College, the course is delivered as a pathway into further postgraduate study in communication, and it is registered on CRICOS for international students (course code 103558E).

You will study core areas of communication practice: professional and media writing, communication theory, audience and industry analysis, and digital production. Assessment is mostly written work, presentations and projects rather than exams. The qualification is made up of units of study, each carrying credit points, and you need to pass the required units to graduate. Because it is a graduate certificate, the total credit points are fewer than a master's, and the 36-week duration reflects that shorter structure. Confirm the exact unit list, credit point values and any articulation arrangements with UTS College before you apply.

Skills you gain include researching and writing for different audiences, editing, planning communication campaigns, using digital tools, and presenting ideas clearly. These are the skills employers in media, public relations, marketing, government and not-for-profit organisations ask for. The course suits people with a bachelor degree in another field who want to move into communication work, and professionals already in the industry who want a formal postgraduate qualification without taking two years out. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification and a pathway to a master's.

As an international student, you will need to meet English requirements. UTS College publishes an IELTS Academic standard of 6.0–6.5 overall for most coursework postgraduate programs, with higher scores for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programs are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. On a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Check the official course page for current entry requirements, unit details and fees.

• Communications officer or coordinator in government, health, education or not-for-profit organisations
• Public relations assistant or account coordinator in PR and marketing agencies
• Content writer, copywriter or social media coordinator for media companies and brands
• Media liaison or corporate affairs assistant in large organisations
• Editorial assistant or production assistant in publishing and digital media
• Marketing and communications assistant in professional services firms
• Further study pathway into a master's degree in communication or a related field