Course Overview
The Diploma of Digital Media can prepare you for paraprofessional work within the media and communications industry by providing practical skills and relevant theory that can be applied in a variety of fields associated with design, technology and media.
Working within multimedia computer laboratories and production studios, you will learn how to create digital media works using industry-standard software tools and techniques. You will learn how to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and work independently and collaboratively in response to digital media project demands.
The course can be studied on-campus or off-campus, providing maximum flexibility.
The Diploma of Digital Media is an optional exit/interim award within the Associate Degree of Digital Media and the Bachelor of Digital Media.
Graduates of the Diploma of Digital Media may articulate into the second year of either the Associate Degree of Digital Media or the Bachelor of Digital Media.
Career Information
The digital revolution has dramatically changed the way we work, learn, play and communicate. It has created jobs that didn’t exist a decade ago and it has profoundly changed others. People who are skilled in the production and application of digital media are in demand. The Diploma of Digital Media prepares graduates for paraprofessional work within the digital media industries. Employment opportunities for graduates with relevant creative and technical expertise can be found in areas such as web design, graphic design, publishing, photography, illustration, animation, game development, software development, audio production, video production, film and television post-production, visual effects, advertising, marketing, journalism, corporate communications, education and training.
| Duration | 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 48 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | DipDigitalMedia |
| AQF Level | Level 5: Diploma |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
Domestic Availability
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023On-campus classes with small enrolments may be taught by cross-campus video-conference rather than face-to-face delivery.
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Term 1 - 2023On-campus classes with small enrolments may be taught by cross-campus video-conference rather than face-to-face delivery.
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
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Term 2 - 2017
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Term 1 - 2017
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Term 2 - 2016
International Availability
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023On-campus classes with small enrolments may be taught by cross-campus video-conference rather than face-to-face delivery.
-
Term 1 - 2023On-campus classes with small enrolments may be taught by cross-campus video-conference rather than face-to-face delivery.
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
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Term 2 - 2017
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Term 1 - 2017
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Term 2 - 2016
| Rank Threshold | SR 60 | ATAR 60 |
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent); or
- An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
- Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years full time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - required 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - required an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study and must appear on a single result certificate.
International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Not applicable
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
No Residential School for this course.
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2021 | 57 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, Student Conduct Policy and Procedure, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Examples are:
- Reflecting on personal behaviour in relation to professional performance, and being receptive to constructive feedback or criticism from a supervisor or lecturer.
- Successfully processing and coping with your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with individuals in an educational or professional environment.
Examples are:
- Complying with the policies and practices of relevant professional bodies such as the Australian Computer Society, the Design Institute of Australia, the Australian Graphic Design Association, and the like.
- Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
Examples are:
- Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
- Participating in discussion activities related to the course.
- Delivering a presentation to a group.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, body movements and gestures, and being mindful of personal space boundaries.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately.
- Being sufficiently aware of cultural differences to engage in culturally appropriate interpersonal communication.
- Competently using computer-mediated channels of communication such as online discussion forums, email, social media and video-conferencing.
- Producing written work with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation that clearly communicates the intended message.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets professional standards.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
- Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in professional practice.
- Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech.
- Being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
- Competently reading, writing and interpreting information.
- Using numeracy skills to interpret and solve basic mathematical problems.
Examples are:
- Perceiving colours, tones, motion and depth.
- Perceiving fine detail on the screen of a computer or mobile device.
- Discerning an object from its background.
- Creating and editing visual designs, artworks, audio recordings, video recordings, animations, 3D models and motion graphics.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Interacting with mobile devices through inputs such as speech, buttons and a touchscreen.
- Operating digital media production equipment such as video cameras, still cameras, microphones, lighting kits, background kits, and the like.
- Drawing with a pencil, pen or graphics tablet.
Examples are:
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Interacting with mobile devices through inputs such as speech, buttons and a touchscreen.
- Operating digital media production equipment such as video cameras, still cameras, microphones, lighting kits, background kits, and the like.
- Drawing with a pencil, pen or graphics tablet.
Examples are:
- Competently using a computer operating system such as Microsoft Windows or macOS.
- Competently using a mobile operating system such as iOS or Android.
- Competently using digital media software tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office.
- Operating electronic devices such as video cameras, still cameras, audio recorders, graphics tablets, scanners, tablet computers or mobile phones.
- 1. Demonstrate skills and knowledge relating to theories, practices, languages, technologies and techniques in the field of digital media
- 2. Identify, analyse, develop and evaluate ideas and information within a digital media context
- 3. Solve problems and exercise critical and creative thinking ability
- 4. Create digital media works using industry-standard software tools
- 5. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences using various media forms
- 6. Work independently and collaboratively in response to digital media project demands
- 7. Recognise and reflect on social, cultural and ethical issues in the field of digital media.
| Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||
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| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts, with depth in some areas within a field of work and learning | |||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources | |||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and communication skills to analyse, plan, design and evaluate approaches to unpredictable problems and/or management requirements | |||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives | |||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer knowledge and specialised skills to others and demonstrate understanding of knowledge | |||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate application with depth in some areas of specialisation, in known or changing contexts | |||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical and/or creative skills in a range of situations | |||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations with responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad parameters for quantity and quality | |||||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement to organise the work of self and others and plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of teams within broad but generally well- defined parameters | |||||||
| 10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications | |||||||
| 11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | |||||||
| 12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications | |||||||
| 13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | |||||||
| 14. Course content drawn from higher education units | |||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | |||||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
|---|
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| MMST11009 | Digital Video and Audio | |
| MMST11010 | Illustration and Visualisation | |
| DGTL11005 | Web Design | |
| BUSN11016 | Introduction to Study and Professional Practice | |
| MMST11003 | Visual Design Fundamentals | |
| DGTL11001 | Foundations of Animation | |
| DGTL11003 | User Experience Design | |
| DGTL11006 | Coding Fundamentals | |
Credit for Prior Learning
If you have studied previously, you might be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. Students are assessed for credit on an individual basis and are required to nominate the CQUniversity units they wish to be considered for exemption from. Applying for credit involves supplying documented evidence that your prior learning is equivalent to the expected learning outcomes of one or more units of study. There are limits to the maximum amount of credit that may be granted towards a course. Study that was completed more than 10 years ago is not considered for credit transfer. For information about how to apply for credit, please search the CQUniversity website for "prior learning".
Computing Requirements
Students who enrol in this course require access to a computer with an internet connection. Hardware and software requirements vary for individual units within the course. Details are normally provided in the relevant unit profile. On-campus students may use the computer hardware, software and production equipment that is available at their local campus.
Course Planner
Student in this course should complete a course planner to help with the organisation of their unit enrolments. When preparing a course planner it is important to check the availability of individual units by looking up their term of offer and location in this Handbook. Full-time students usually enrol in 4 units per term, and part-time students usually enrol in 2 units per term. Students can get assistance with the preparation of their course planner by contacting the Course Management team. For more information, please search the CQUniversity website for "course planners".
On-campus Classes
On-campus classes with small enrolments may be taught by cross-campus video-conference rather than face-to-face delivery.