Graduate Certificate of Business (Media and Marketing)

The Graduate Certificate of Business (Media and Marketing) is a short postgraduate qualification for people who want to build skills in marketing and media without committing to a full master's degree. It suits career changers, people already working in media or communications who want formal credentials, and graduates from other fields who need marketing knowledge for their job. The course is delivered by the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) and its related providers, including Aspire English, Aspire Institute and the International Sport College of Australia. It runs for 35 weeks and is registered on CRICOS (course code 103142G).

What you study

You'll cover the basics of marketing and media practice: consumer behaviour, brand management, digital marketing channels, media planning and campaign development. The focus is on applying these ideas to real business situations rather than just reading theory. Assessment is typically a mix of reports, presentations, group projects and exams, with some units using live client briefs or case studies from Australian organisations. Because it's a graduate certificate, you'll complete a set number of units, usually four, and each unit carries credit points. If you later decide to continue studying, those credit points can often be counted towards a master's degree, provided you meet the entry requirements and the institution approves the credit. Always confirm the exact units and credit arrangements on the official ICMS page.

How it fits into the Australian system

Graduate certificates sit at level 8 on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), one step below a master's degree. They're shorter and more focused than a master's, which usually takes one to two years. A bachelor's degree is normally three years, an honours year adds one, and a doctorate takes three or more. The 35-week duration means you can finish within about nine months of full-time study. Teaching is delivered in semesters or trimesters, depending on the intake. The course is coursework-based, so there's no research thesis. Work-integrated learning may be included through industry projects or placements, especially given ICMS's links to the business and media sectors in Sydney. The college has a strong reputation for practical, industry-connected teaching.

English and visa notes

International applicants need to show English proficiency. The common standard for coursework postgraduate courses is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some fields like teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work require 7.0–7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institution's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period. Check the latest rules on the official websites.

Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, look up course code 103142G for the exact amount. Entry requirements, intake dates and unit details are on the official ICMS page. If you're not sure whether this course is right for you, talk to the admissions team about your background and goals.

• Marketing assistant or coordinator
• Digital marketing officer
• Social media coordinator
• Media planner or buyer
• Communications officer
• Brand assistant
• Account coordinator in an agency
• Marketing roles in retail, technology, finance, tourism, sport and not-for-profit organisations

These roles are common in Australian industries such as advertising and media agencies, e-commerce, professional services, government communications, and the sports and events sector. The qualification also provides a pathway into further study, such as a master's degree in marketing or business.