Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
This degree is only available to Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode
On-campus/Online
Fees
$AU 12,850 per 0.5 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025
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Entry requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the program will normally have:
- A completed Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution; or
- 5 years full-time professional work experience, assessed on a case by case basis.
This program will not be offered in 2025.
Degree overview
- Study South Australia’s only Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management.
- Gain specialised skills and advanced knowledge to be well-prepared for management roles within the communication, media and creative sectors.
- Gain specialised knowledge in Social and Digital Media Management and the impact of Industry 4.0 on society.
- Set yourself apart with a qualification that responds to the fast-changing needs of current work environments.
- Learn and study in a supportive, workshop-based environment, either in person or online.
- Engage with guest lecturers and industry experts.
- Flexible learning options and pathways into further learning, including Graduate Diploma and Master level qualifications.
- UniSA has a 5 Star Rating for Learning Resources and Student Support In Communications1.
- Study a curriculum informed by world-class research in Language, Communication and Culture2.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities3, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
12020 Good Universities Guide.
22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
Study the only qualification of its kind in South Australia and gain specialised skills and advanced knowledge in social and digital media management.
The Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management covers the topics of the Industry 4.0 and Society, Communication, Media and Creative Industries, Social Media Management and Managing Digital Design.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the impacts of disruptive digital technologies on workplaces and society, together with the principles and techniques of social media management, online engagement and collaboration and the theoretical principles and design conventions of digital and traditional communication platforms. Apply and engage with theories and strategies as your deliverables transform theory into work-relevant skills via the production of deliverables for industry partners.
Study in a workshop-based environment with connections to industry partners and real-world projects.
This degree is a pathway into the Master of Communication, where you have the choice to choose a professional project or research thesis in your final year of study, allowing you to gain further knowledge and industry networks.
What you'll learn
You will gain an in-depth understanding of the impacts of disruptive digital technologies on workplaces and society, together with the principles and techniques of social media management, online engagement and collaboration and the theoretical principles and design conventions of digital and traditional communication platforms.
You will study four industry relevant and informed courses covering emerging communication discipline areas including:
- Communication, Media and Creative Industries
- Industry 4.0 and Society
- Social Media Management
- Managing Digital Design
You will be able to apply these principles as you practically produce plans and deliverables for industry engaged partners.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- portfolios
- reports
- essays
- projects
- online activities
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management
Transaction platforms such as Airbnb, Amazon and Uber have altered the parameters of global commerce, undermining traditional `bricks and mortar' retailers while creating new opportunities for digital entrepreneurship by those with appropriate skills. Disruptive digital technologies are transforming traditional employment pathways and every aspect of society. Platform companies such as Google, Facebook and Apple have decimated advertising revenues from traditional channels, catapulting social and digital media management into a staple of communication and media careers.
The Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management responds to the fast-changing needs of employment and society with a focus on the creative industries sector, encompassing communication and media, which is one of the fastest growing sectors of employment globally.
The Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management provides you with industry informed courses in Industry 4.0 and Society, Communication, Media and Creative Industries, Social Media Management and Managing Digital Design, enabling you to develop an advanced understanding of the required competencies of an effective communication professional working within and across social and digital media platforms and plans.
Our curriculum is informed and continuously updated through industry engagement with well-regarded communication and media companies, such as Hughes PR and Michels Warren. You can be assured that the skills you learn will be industry-relevant and highly sought after.
Online study
This degree is offered both on campus and online. For the online offering, you will:
- study online, including accessing access videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
Your career
Communication is at the core of everything we do – and skilled communicators are essential in every organisation. Graduates of this qualification can gain careers as a:
- Digital and social media manager
- Communications manager
- Marketing manager
- Public relations manager
- Online editor
- Content creator
- Copywriter
Thinking of studying soon?
2025
Ready to start your studies in 2025? You can apply to the University of Adelaide or UniSA now before continuing on to the new Adelaide University in 2026.
When the time comes to transfer, we’ll be here at every step, ensuring you’re well supported with personalised advice and a detailed study plan.
2026
Planning to start your studies in 2026? You can apply to Adelaide University directly.
Applications are currently open for international students and will open for Australian students in August 2025.
Have any questions? We're here to help! Contact Adelaide University's Future Student Enquiries Team.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
Dr Sally Lewis is a Program Director in UniSA Creative and a Senior Lecturer in Communication and Media. Sally is a former Director of Communication (Government) and Director of Marketing (Industry). Sally has been nationally recognised for her work in interdisciplinary student learning and has received UniSA Creative Industries awards in Teaching & Learning and Innovation. Sally liaises extensively with industry partners in her field and has research interests in student engagement and communication.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
