Master of Communication

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DMCO

SATAC Code
4CM221 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Fees
$AU 25,700 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025

Entry requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the program will normally have:
- A completed Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution; or
- A completed Graduate Certificate from a recognised higher education institution; or
- A completed Graduate Diploma from a recognised higher education institution.
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Aim

The Master of Communication aims to provide students with the specialised knowledge and skills to undertake a management role within the communication, media and creative industries sector. Students will have access to industry knowledge, settings and networks that can provide a viable route to employment, independent entrepreneurship or further industry-relevant research. The program will equip students with the tools to navigate the world of work and society in a time of extreme digital disruption.

Content & Structure

The Master of Communication is a 2-year (or equivalent part-time) coursework program of 72 units study. The first year of the Master of Communication will comprise 7 industry relevant courses covering emerging communication discipline areas, including Social and Digital Media Management Digital Design, Content Creation, Campaigns and Crisis Management . These courses have been developed in consultation with industry partners to ensure they are relevant and practical. In second year, the Master of Communication allows students to complete two work-integrated learning Professional Project courses equating to 18 units.

Nested within the Master degree is a Graduate Diploma of Communication (36 units) and a specialist Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication (18 units).

Students who successfully complete either the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate listed above can apply to undertake the Master of Communication with Advanced Standing.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Communication Contexts	COMM 5004	4.5		Rule(s): 1,3,4,5
Communication and Media: Advanced	COMM 4005	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2,3,6
Social Media Management	COMM 5069	4.5		Rule(s): 2,3,5
Professional Communication	COMM 5081	4.5		Rule(s): 6
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Content Creation	COMM 5084	4.5		Rule(s): 1,3,4,5
Managing Digital Design	COMM 5068	4.5		Rule(s): 2,3,4,6
Campaigns and Crises	COMM 5005	4.5		Rule(s): 1,3,4,6
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research for Business Decision Making	BUSS 5397	4.5
Masters Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
Professional Project 1	COMM 5082	9
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Match Studio Projects: Advanced	ARCH 5047	4.5
Masters Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
Professional Project 2	COMM 5083	9

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Masters Electives
Project Management for Business	BUSS 5139	4.5
Brand Management	MARK 5031	4.5
Entrepreneurship and Innovation	BUSS 5080	4.5
Festival and Event Management	TOUR 5002	4.5
Managing the Global Workforce	BUSS 5302	4.5
Doing Business in Asia	BUSS 5347	4.5
Negotiation	BUSS 5355	4.5
Managing Venues and EventScapes	BUSS 5356	4.5
eMarketing	MARK 5080	4.5
The Business of Tourism	TOUR 5009	4.5
Enterprising Asia: Innovation, Strategy & Impact	BUSS 5453	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students who have completed the UniSA Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication are eligible to enter the program with 18 units of credit (0.5 EFSTL) and may complete the program in the equivalent of 1.5 years of full-time study. These students will receive credit for this course.

2. Students who have completed the UniSA Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management are eligible to enter the program with 18 units of credit (0.5 EFSTL) and may complete the program in the equivalent of 1.5 years of full-time study. These students will receive credit for this course.

3. Students who have completed the UniSA Graduate Diploma in Communication are eligible to enter the program with 36 units of credit (1.0 EFTSL) and may complete the program in the equivalent of 1.0 year of full-time study. These students will receive credit for this course.

4. Students who have completed the UniSA Graduate Certificate in Film and Television are eligible to enter the program with 18 units of credit (0.5 EFTSL) and may complete the program in the equivalent of 1.5 years of full-time study. These students will receive credit for this course.

5. Students who have completed the Bachelor of Communication and Media (MBCD), the Bachelor of Creative Industries (DBCI) or the Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing (MBJR) will receive 18 units of Advanced Standing and are not required to complete this course.

6. Students undertaking the Pathway to Masters between the Bachelor of Communication and Media (MBCD), the Bachelor of Creative Industries (DBCI) or the Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing (MBJR) and Master of Communication (DMCO) programs will receive credit for this course.

Notes

1. Students wishing to take MARK 5080 as a Master elective will need to take MARK 5025 in Year 1.

2. Students can select a Masters elective from the recommended list or another university-wide Masters-level elective in negotiation with the Program Director.