C06153v1 Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication
Award(s): Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication (GradDipStratComm)CRICOS code: 116215K
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 48
Course EFTSL: 1
Location: City campus
Notes
This course is available from Autumn 2025.
Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Levels of award
Articulation with UTS courses
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The Graduate Diploma of Strategic Communication is designed to respond to industry demand for competent communication professionals with a foundational understanding of use of communication strategies and techniques. Using contemporary communication scholarship and industry insights, it is also designed to address the needs of professionals who aspire to develop a communication career in driving strong stakeholder relationships and engagement for better organisational outcomes.
Facing ongoing technological and social developments, strategic communication becomes critical in every organisation’s practices. Emerging technologies, dynamic media environments, and diverse social issues shape the way individuals engage with or respond to organisations’ communication. In addition, individuals’ preferences keep changing in this fast-paced environment. To keep up with these changes, many organisations strive to meet social and stakeholder expectations. It is often challenging for organisations to do so. This is because different stakeholders exhibit different levels of motivation to engage and collaborate with those organisations. Therefore, strategic communication is required to effectively connect with those diverse stakeholders by grasping key audience insights and formulating possible strategies across complex, fragmented media ecosystems. Strategic communication builds a critical foundation of organisational success. Communication professionals are expected to understand the role of strategic communication in cultivating favourable stakeholder relationships and maintaining positive reputation for organisational survival and legitimacy.
Course aims
This course introduces students to practice-oriented knowledge and skills required in the field of communication. It serves as a stepping-stone for students who would like to apply those advanced knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative and integrated solutions to real-world communication challenges.
This course aims to:
- Build understanding of the principles of effective communication and stakeholder engagement for an organisation to achieve optimal outcomes
- Explore and apply the foundational knowledge and skills students need to build their communication career progression.
Career options
Graduates of this course are equipped to work in roles such as: account executive, public relations/communication officer, public relations/communication manager, communication and media advisor, communications and engagement coordinator, content creator, digital ad specialist, social media marketing specialist, and publicity coordinator.
Course intended learning outcomes
This course engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
| 1.1 | Apply an advanced body of practice-oriented knowledge and skills to develop, implement and evaluate innovative and integrated solutions to real-world communication challenges |
| 2.1 | Critically, creatively and/or collaboratively analyse, debate and reflect on strategic communication models, practices and solutions by planning and executing a body of research to solve complex problems |
| 3.1 | Recognise the value of intercultural contexts for strategic communication practices |
| 4.1 | Critically review communication and engagement practices to build professional capability to work effectively with and for Indigenous organisations and people |
| 5.1 | Counsel decision-makers about challenges and solutions in diverse contexts on issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice and sustainability |
| 6.1 | Effectively convey ideas to diverse audiences through both written and oral communication strategies, across a range of media formats, with consideration of others' needs and views |
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study
OR
- A minimum of 4 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional experience
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Course duration and attendance
The course is one (1) year of full-time or one and a half (1.5) years of part-time study.
Course structure
This course totals 48 credit points of study consisting of six core subjects (36 credit points) and two electives (12 credit points).
Full-time students are required to undertake 24 credit points a session. Part-time students should undertake 12 credit points a session.
Course completion requirements
| STM91921 Core Subjects (Strategic Communication) | 36cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Total | 48cp |
Course diagram
Course program
Typical course programs are shown below for full-time and part-time students, commencing in Autumn or Spring sessions.
| Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Autumn commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92346 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 24cp | |
| Spring commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 57604 Communication Theory and Practice | 6cp | |
| 57605 Foundations in Strategic Communication | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57606 Strategic Communication Planning and Management | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 57609 Creative Appeals in Advertising | 6cp | |
| 57608 Finding Insights for Understanding Audiences | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 57607 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK92348 Electives (Strategic Communication) | 12cp | |
Levels of award
Postgraduate
Articulation with UTS courses
This course is part of an articulated program with the Master of Strategic Communication (C04461) and the Master of Strategic Communication (Extension) (C04462).
Applicants wanting to transfer to the Master of Strategic Communication must have successfully completed at least four subjects in the Strategic Communication postgraduate program.
Professional recognition
The postgraduate Strategic Communication degrees are externally accredited by the Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), formerly Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). As part of this accreditation process, CPRA examines the alignment of the degrees with industry expectations and needs. Course structure, subject outlines, work integrated learning activities, and assessment briefs are assessed to ensure student learning experience is theory-informed, research-based, and industry-oriented; thereby producing graduates who are poised to thrive in the professional communication industry.
Other information
Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on:
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
AskUTS