Diploma of Arts

The Diploma of Arts at SAIBT is a two-year qualification that sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It's a pathway course, and it's worth understanding what that means. SAIBT delivers it on behalf of the University of South Australia, so you study first-year university subjects in a smaller setting with more support, and on completion you move into the second year of a related bachelor degree. Mass communication is one of the streams. You'll cover the same ground the degree students cover: media writing, communication theory, digital and social media, and the way news and public communication actually work in Australia.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are built from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You'll typically take four units per semester across two semesters a year, and the credit points you earn count towards the degree you articulate into. SAIBT runs on a trimester calendar, so there are three study periods a year and you can move through faster if you want to. The exact unit list changes from time to time, so check the official course page for what's on offer in your intake.

What you actually study

Expect a mix of writing and analysis. You'll learn to write for different audiences and formats, look at how media organisations are structured and regulated, and examine the relationship between media, culture and public opinion. There's group work, presentations and assignments that mirror what happens in a newsroom or a communications team. Assessment is mostly assignments and projects rather than exams, which suits people who'd rather build a portfolio than sit a three-hour paper.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who didn't get the ATAR they needed, people returning to study after time away, and international students who want a supported start before the full degree. It also suits anyone who wants to work in media, public relations or communications but isn't sure yet which direction to take. English requirements sit at IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall for this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and CELUSA's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so you'll need to meet both.

As an international student on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. When you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 081516A, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and English requirements on the official page before you apply.

• Media and communications assistant, supporting content production, social media and internal communications in agencies, not-for-profits and government departments.
• Public relations coordinator, drafting media releases, organising events and managing stakeholder enquiries for PR firms and in-house teams.
• Content writer or copywriter, producing web copy, newsletters and campaign material for publishers, retailers and digital agencies.
• Social media coordinator, planning and scheduling posts, monitoring engagement and reporting on campaign performance.
• Journalism cadet, regional newspapers, community radio and online publishers in Australia regularly take on cadets straight out of study.
• Marketing and communications officer, a common role in universities, health services, local councils and industry bodies.

Most of these roles sit in Australia's media, advertising, public relations and government sectors. A diploma is often the first step; many graduates continue into a bachelor degree before applying for more senior positions.