FAQs

As a premier pathway to UTS, the Diploma of Communication is developed in collaboration with the School of Communication in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at UTS. Students do the same first-year core subjects as first-year UTS students and the same majors in Digital and Social Media and Strategic Communication.

The main difference though, is support. When you’re studying at UTS College, you get extra support to prepare you for university study and the transition to the UTS Bachelor of Communication.

When you complete your diploma, you will receive a Grade Point Average (GPA). Students who meet the minimum GPA for their desired course at UTS will receive a guaranteed place to the second year of their UTS degree. GPA requirements for each UTS degree can be found here:

Articulation requirements can be found here.

Unlike first year uni, when you graduate from UTS College, you also receive a higher education diploma.

The Diploma of Communication is available to study across three programs:

Accelerated: 8 months.

Our Accelerated program is the fastest way to get into the UTS Bachelor of Communication, but it’s not for everyone. The workload is intense and you’ll need to be dedicated to your studies to succeed.

Standard: 12 months.

This is the course length most of our students select. Standard covers the same content as accelerated, but is spread out across 12 months and ideal for studying at a steady pace.

Extended: 16 months.

Do you want to build your English language skills while you study? Our Extended program offers the same subjects as the standard program, PLUS Academic English or Academic Communication and two enabling subjects to help build your confidence for studying Communication in the standard diploma.

If you are a Domestic student, you don't need an ATAR for entry to UTS College. Instead, entry is based on your HSC subject average of English and your top three board-developed subjects. You need a minimum HSC subject average of 63% for entry to UTS College.

Entry to UTS College - HSC subject average example:

Sam received the following marks for their HSC board-developed courses:
 
    English Standard (65%)
    Earth and Environmental Science (71%)
    Mathematics Standard 2 (73%)
    Music 1 (63%)
    Japanese Beginners (68%)
 
Sam's UTS College subject average is calculated as English Standard (65%), plus their best 3 board-developed courses of Earth and Environmental Science (71%), Mathematics Standard 2 (73%) and Japanese Beginners (68%). Average (65+71+73+68) / 4 = 69.25%.
 
Based on this ATARNotes calculator, Sam receives an ATAR of 51.10. However, their UTS College subject average is 69.25%. Sam wants to study a Diploma of Science and can study a Standard 12-month diploma (min. 67% average).

Below are the minimum HSC subject averages needed for entry to our diplomas:

• 75% for the Accelerated (eight month) diploma
• 67% for the Standard (12 month) diploma
• 63% for Extended (16 month) diploma

If you are a Domestic student, you won’t be assessed on your ATAR. Entry is based on your HSC subject average which must include English and your top three board-developed subjects. Below are the minimum HSC subject averages needed for entry to our diplomas:

• 75% for the Accelerated (eight month) diploma
• 67% for the Standard (12 month) diploma
• 63% for Extended (16 month) diploma

No. If you successfully complete a Diploma of Communication at UTS College, you won’t need to start uni from the very beginning. In fact if you complete an Accelerated, Standard or Extended Diploma of Communication, you'll receive 52 credit points to fast-track to the second year of your UTS degree*.

*Entry to second-year of your UTS Communication degree only applies to the Strategic Communication and Digital and Social Media majors. For other majors, check the Recognition of Prior Learning guidelines.
 

Firstly, a “credit point” (cp) is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. A typical UTS Bachelor of Communication subject contains either 6 or 8 credit points.

Studying a UTS College Diploma of Communication gives you 52 credit points towards your UTS Bachelor of Communication. Putting these credit points towards your UTS degree gives you the advantage of a reduced workload throughout your Bachelor of Communication.

Subject exemptions

 

cp” = credit point/s

Generally, yes. The course content in the UTS Diploma of Communication covers the same course material in subjects studied in a Bachelor of Communication. This is how you can put credit points towards your UTS degree.

Classes are a mix of on-campus and Live Online. Resources and materials are Live Online. The UTS College campus is only a short walk from the UTS campus and UTS College students also have access to facilities like the UTS Library and ActivateUTS.

You’ll get the best of both worlds with a mix of on-campus and Live Online classes.

You’ll need the following minimum hardware to conduct your studies.

The Diploma of Communication provides guaranteed entry* to your UTS Bachelor of Communication degree with the following majors:

• Strategic Communication
• Digital and Social Media
• Journalism
• Media Arts and Production
• Social and Political Sciences
• Writing and Publishing
• Media Business

*Based on successful completion of your diploma with the required Grade Point Average (GPA) for the program you choose at UTS. Please refer to our website for more information.
 

There is no portfolio required for entry into the Diploma of Communication program.

Yes. The Diploma of Communication uses a practice-based approach, providing students with opportunities to showcase their work and build a portfolio to use for career opportunities.

UTS College’s Live Online is a leading learning management system where students can work in small online classes, get 1:1 support in-class or outside of hours, submit work for feedback and collaborate with fellow students or consult with teachers and advisors for support.

You can ask teachers questions via live video chat, messages, calls or email. Live Online means students are well-equipped for their studies, whether they’re on-campus or online.

Access to non-subject-specific study spaces in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences can be freely booked by students via the UTS Library website.

 

Articulation requirements can be found here.

Yes, you can change your major after studying your Diploma of Communication. You can speak to one of our Study Success Advisors to discuss your options.
 

Our teachers are often working in industry concurrent to their teaching, and all have had extensive involvement in media and communication projects, collaborations, and research.

Completion of the Diploma of Communication will give you enough knowledge and skills to work in junior positions within media and communication teams and advertising agencies.

Entry requirements for domestic non-recent school leavers or mature students
 
Domestic non-recent school leavers or mature students are not assessed on ATAR.
 
You are eligible for entry to a UTS College diploma if you meet one of the following conditions:

1. Your HSC subject average of English plus your best three board-developed subjects is 67% or higher <click here for subject average criteria and example>, OR
2. You completed Year 11 or 12, along with additional study recognised by UTS College. Additional study may include, but is not limited to:
   • TAFE Certificate IV or higher
   • Other tertiary studies

Please provide all transcripts and completion certificates to be considered as part of your application assessment.
 
You may also include any work experience you consider to be relevant to your application.
 
Please call 1800 896 994 or email courses@utscollege.edu.au for more information.