Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Diploma of Marketing and Communication at Mercury Institute of Victoria is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in marketing and communications, or who are already working in the field and want a formal credential. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree. That means it is practical and job-focused, with less theory than a three-year degree and more time spent on skills you can use straight away.

You will study units of study that cover the core of marketing and communication: consumer behaviour, market research, advertising and promotional planning, digital and social media marketing, content creation, public relations, brand management, and campaign development. Assessment is usually a mix of reports, presentations, campaign plans, group projects and exams. The course is delivered over two semesters or trimesters, depending on the institute's calendar, and each unit carries credit points. Because it is a diploma, you can often use the credit points you earn towards a bachelor degree later if you choose to continue studying. Check with Mercury Institute of Victoria about the exact units, credit points and pathways, as these can change.

Work-integrated learning is a big part of this kind of diploma. You may complete a placement or industry project with a business, not-for-profit or agency, where you apply what you have learned to a real brief. That could mean developing a social media plan, running a market research survey, or helping with an event. The skills you build include writing for different audiences, analysing campaign data, using marketing software, presenting ideas, and working in a team. These are the skills employers ask for in entry-level marketing and communication roles.

This course suits school leavers who want a faster route into work than a degree, career changers who need marketing skills, and people already in junior marketing or communication roles who want a recognised qualification. It also suits international students who meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent, and want to study in Australia. While you study, your Student visa lets you 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 allows you to stay and work in Australia. Confirm all details, including tuition, on the official CRICOS register and with the institute.

• Marketing assistant or coordinator, supporting campaigns, managing schedules and preparing reports in agencies, retail, education, health and government.
• Digital marketing assistant, helping run social media, email marketing and search engine campaigns for small businesses or in-house teams.
• Communications assistant, drafting newsletters, media releases and internal communications for corporations, charities and public sector organisations.
• Public relations assistant, supporting media relations, event coordination and stakeholder communication in PR agencies or community organisations.
• Sales and customer engagement officer, using marketing knowledge to support business development and client relationships across industries such as real estate, tourism and financial services.
• Content creator or social media coordinator, producing posts, blogs and videos for brands, often in creative agencies or as part of a marketing team.

These roles are common in Australian industries including advertising and media, retail, tourism, professional services, education, healthcare and all levels of government. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in marketing, communication or business, with credit for the units you have completed.