Course Overview

About This Course

Take your career a step further with a Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries. Develop a strong understanding of the creative sector and learn to engage with audiences and markets in digital environments while building networks that will help shape your career. Tailor your course to suit you with the option to choose from a broad range of units, including marketing, user-experience, conservation, entrepreneurship, digital leadership, and finance for creative business. Get inspired by guest lecturers and course content from leaders working at the cutting edge of the creative and cultural industries. For those working locally, you'll take advantage of a growing Creative Business sector and be ready to take advantage of the ACT government's ambitions to cultivate Canberra into Australia's arts capital. Designed as the second step in the Creative Industries suite, the Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries can be added to the Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries or started from the beginning.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Bruce, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia

Australian National University, 110 Ellery Cresent - Baldessin Precinct Building, Acton, ACT 2601

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree (AQF level 7) or equivalent as approved by the University Admissions.
Students who have completed one of the following Graduate Certificates at UC may apply, and receive credit for the units completed under the Graduate Certificate: Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries, Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing, Graduate Certificate in Heritage Materials Conservation, Graduate Certificate in Creative Business, Graduate Certificate in Creative Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Design. (Note: only credit for one Graduate Certificate can be applied)
The following Defence members are eligible for direct entry into this course through the Veteran Tertiary Support Program - Postgraduate Course Entry: Commissioned Officer (any rank), Chaplain or Maritime Spiritual Wellbeing Officer, Senior Non-Commissioned Defence Force Members (E-6 or higher), Defence Force Members - Other Ranks (E-2 to E-5) with three or more years' experience.
English language requirement: An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Assumed knowledge: None.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Exhibition Producer, Campaign Manager, Executive in the GLAM sector, Creative Director, Publicist, Communication Strategist, Creative Entrepreneur, Creative Agency Owner/Director, Public Servant across Creative/Cultural Divisions.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units19 units

11155

Impact and Enterprise G

3 credit points — Level G

11862

Creativity and Digital Engagement G

3 credit points — Level G

11863

Indigeneity and the Creative Sector G

3 credit points — Level G

9691

Entrepreneurship PG

3 credit points — Level P

11159

Leadership, Ethics and Innovation PG

6 credit points — Level P

11160

Heritage Materials and Their Environments G

3 credit points — Level G

11161

The Cultural Significance of Patina G

3 credit points — Level G

11162

Heritage Materials - Structure and Integrity G

3 credit points — Level G

11163

Heritage Materials - Aesthetics and Stability G

3 credit points — Level G

11396

Business Decision Making G

3 credit points — Level G

11500

Creative Decision Making G

3 credit points — Level G

11634

Audiences, Data and Media Convergence PG

3 credit points — Level P

11866

Digital Advertising Practices PG

3 credit points — Level P

11867

Social Media Marketing G

3 credit points — Level G

11869

Visual Communication for Creative Businesses G

3 credit points — Level G

11870

UX Design G

3 credit points — Level G

11871

Digital and Tangible Design G

3 credit points — Level G

11891

The Creative Producer G

3 credit points — Level G

12033

Integrated Digital Marketing and Communication G

3 credit points — Level G

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What specialisations are available in the Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries?

Students can choose from the following specialisations: Creative Industries, Digital Marketing, Creative Leadership, Design, and Heritage Materials Conservation. Each specialisation requires passing 12 credit points from a defined set of units relevant to that area.

Can I get credit for a Graduate Certificate I have already completed at UC?

Yes. Students who have completed one of the following Graduate Certificates at UC may apply and receive credit for the units completed: Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries, Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing, Graduate Certificate in Heritage Materials Conservation, Graduate Certificate in Creative Business, Graduate Certificate in Creative Leadership, or Graduate Certificate in Design. Note that only credit for one Graduate Certificate can be applied.

Can the Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries lead to further study?

Yes. Designed as part of a nested series, you can choose to continue studying a Master of Creative Industries simply by adding on additional units of study.

When can I start the Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries?

The course is open for domestic admissions in Semester 1 (starting 16 February 2026) and Semester 2 (starting 10 August 2026) at Bruce, Canberra, with the same semesters available in 2027 (15 February and 09 August respectively).

Are Defence members eligible for direct entry into this course?

Yes. The following Defence members are eligible for direct entry through the Veteran Tertiary Support Program - Postgraduate Course Entry: Commissioned Officers (any rank), Chaplains or Maritime Spiritual Wellbeing Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Defence Force Members (E-6 or higher), and Defence Force Members - Other Ranks (E-2 to E-5) with three or more years' experience.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $50,000 to $65,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $110,000 per year

Career Paths

Creative DirectorContent ProducerDigital Marketing ManagerBrand StrategistArts Administrator

Key Skills

Creative project development and management from concept to completionCreative entrepreneurship and new business developmentDigital marketing strategy and audience engagementUser experience (UX) and human-centred design thinkingCultural policy and arts administration literacy

Full Course Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries

About This Course

Available Locations

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students