Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication at Mercury Institute of Victoria is a one-year course for people who want practical marketing skills without committing to a full degree. You learn how to plan campaigns, write copy that works, manage social media and digital channels, read analytics, and coordinate communications across an organisation. Assessment is built around real briefs rather than exams alone, so you finish with work you can show an employer.

How the course is structured

Australian qualifications sit on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This advanced diploma sits above a certificate IV and below a bachelor degree, and it is normally delivered over two semesters or three trimesters across one year. You enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass all required units to graduate. Delivery is face-to-face at the Melbourne campus, with some blended learning. The course is registered on CRICOS (course code 118995E), which is the register international students check to confirm a course is approved for them.

What you actually study

Core units cover consumer behaviour, market research, integrated marketing communication, digital marketing, content creation, campaign management and budgeting. You work on group projects that mirror agency life: pitching a concept, building a schedule, producing assets and reporting on results. There is no separate honours year at this level. If you later want a degree, many Australian universities give credit for advanced diploma study, which shortens the bachelor degree. Confirm the exact credit arrangements with the receiving university.

Work-integrated learning and skills

Work-integrated learning is part of the course. You complete a placement or industry project with a Melbourne business, not-for-profit or agency, usually in the second half of the year. That placement is where you practise the skills employers ask for: writing a media release, setting up an email automation, briefing a designer, presenting a campaign plan to a client. You also build a portfolio and a LinkedIn profile before you finish.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who want a fast, job-focused qualification, career changers moving into marketing or communications, and people already working in admin, sales or events who want to formalise their experience. International students should note that a Student visa allows 48 hours of work per fortnight while the course is in session. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. English requirements are set by the institute and by the Department of Home Affairs for the visa; check the official page for the exact scores and intake dates.

• Marketing coordinator, plan and track campaigns for retail, property, education and technology companies.
• Digital marketing assistant, run social media, search and email activity for agencies and in-house teams.
• Communications officer, write media releases, newsletters and internal updates for government, health and not-for-profits.
• Content producer, create blogs, video scripts and social assets for publishers and brands.
• Events and promotions assistant, coordinate launches, expos and sponsorship activations.
• Account coordinator, support client relationships in advertising and public relations agencies.
• Sales and marketing administrator, manage CRM data, leads and customer communications.

Typical employers include advertising and PR agencies, digital marketing firms, retail chains, tourism operators, professional services firms, government departments and community organisations across Australia.