Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

The Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication is a practical, industry-focused qualification for people who want to work in marketing, advertising, public relations or communications. It runs for 1.5 years at NSW Business College in Sydney. You study how to plan and run marketing campaigns, manage communications with customers and stakeholders, write copy for digital and print channels, analyse market data, and coordinate promotional activities. Assessment is mostly project-based, so you build a portfolio of work you can show employers.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational qualifications are built from units of competency. Each unit has a set number of credit points, and you need to complete all required units to graduate. The college delivers the course across semesters or trimesters, with breaks in between. Your timetable will include face-to-face classes, workshops and independent study. Some units may be delivered online or in a blended format. The exact unit list and delivery schedule are on the official course page, check there before you enrol.

What you will learn

You will cover the foundations of marketing and communication: consumer behaviour, market research, digital marketing, advertising, public relations, and campaign evaluation. You will also learn how to manage budgets, work with creative teams, and use marketing software and analytics tools. Group projects are common, so you get practice working with others the way you would in a real agency or marketing department. The course does not include a separate honours year or a research thesis, that is not how advanced diplomas work. If you want a degree later, you may be able to get credit for some units towards a bachelor programme at an Australian university, but you need to confirm that with the receiving institution.

Who it suits

This qualification suits school leavers who want a hands-on start in marketing, career changers moving into communications, and people already working in sales or administration who want to formalise their skills. It also works as a pathway to a bachelor degree if you meet the entry requirements. International students should note that the Student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your visa conditions and the course requirements. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website for current rules.

English and entry requirements

International applicants need to show English proficiency. The college publishes its own English requirements, and for this level you will typically need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an equivalent TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced score, or completion of the college’s own English programme. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Check both. Tuition fees are listed on the CRICOS register, search for course code 104519D. Always confirm entry requirements, fees, start dates and unit details on the official course page before you apply.

• Marketing coordinator, plan and deliver campaigns for retail, technology, health or government organisations.
• Digital marketing assistant, manage social media, email marketing and online advertising for agencies or in-house teams.
• Public relations officer, write media releases, coordinate events and manage public image for not-for-profits, corporations or government departments.
• Advertising account coordinator, support client relationships and project delivery in advertising or media agencies.
• Communications officer, handle internal and external communications for universities, councils, hospitals or large companies.
• Sales and marketing assistant, support lead generation and customer engagement in business-to-business or consumer markets.

Australian industries that hire graduates include advertising and media agencies, retail and e-commerce, tourism and hospitality, professional services, healthcare, education, government, and not-for-profit organisations. Many roles are based in Sydney, but marketing and communications skills transfer across the country.