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  • Undergraduate
  • Degree

Diploma of Arts

How to apply
Entry requirements
Duration
  • 1 year (or part-time equivalent)
Location
  • Springfield
  • Toowoomba
  • Online
Start
Fees
  • AUD 16,992
  • (Indicative annual fee)
QTAC codes
View full details

Overview

  • Pursue your passion and create new career possibilities with the Diploma of Arts, which offers a flexible introduction to university study without the commitment of a full bachelor degree.
  • Customise your education to suit your career goals and self-expression by selecting from a diverse range of courses, including criminology, creative writing, international relations, history, English literature, psychology, legal studies, and more.
  • Benefit from career and employment linkages, with courses designed to enhance professional skills and make you more employable. Explore and fine-tune your career direction in a fully supported learning environment.
  • Enjoy the flexibility to study online or on-campus, full-time or part-time, allowing you to balance work, life, and family commitments while gaining transferrable skills sought after by employers, such as teamwork, adaptability, communication, creative thinking, and problem-solving.

Don't hesitate

Do it! Firstly, go to uni, don't hesitate when it comes to further education. And secondly, pick UniSQ, it's a great school, with friendly students and knowledgeable staff.

Victoria - Arts & Communication

Career outcomes

As a graduate, you will have foundational skills in communication, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving, opening doors to various career paths. Depending on the courses studied, you may find work in communication and media, anthropology, cultural and social justice areas, writing and publishing, or para-legal practices.

You may also use this diploma as a stepping stone into further study such as a bachelor’s degree in arts, communication or creative industries.

Why study Arts and Communication at UniSQ?

Learn from the best

Rated 5/5 stars for skill development and teaching quality in communications.
(Good Universities Guide, 2025)

Be future ready, today

UniSQ is future-focused, we teach skills that are directly transferrable to today’s workplace and jobs of the future.

Gain a competitive edge

Develop professional communication, analytical and critical skills to make you stand out in the job market.

What you'll study

To graduate from the Diploma of Arts, you must successfully complete 8 units of study.

Degree structure

An undergraduate university degree typically consists of a combination of core, major and elective courses designed to provide you with foundational knowledge and opportunities for an in-depth deeper dive into your chosen field.

Select seven (7) courses from discipline areas listed below which make up the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Communication and Creative Industries:

Anthrolopogy
Archaeology
Counselling Practice
Criminology and Criminal Justice
English Literature
First Nations Australia
History
International Relations
Legal Studies
Politics
Psychology
Social Justice

Advertising
Creative Writing
Design Thinking and Leadership
Digital Media
Documentary Production 
Drama
Journalism 
Marketing 
Music
Photojournalism
Professional Communication
Professional Photography
Public Relations 
Visual Arts Curation

Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Environment and Sustainability 
Physiology and Human Movement 
Software Application Development 

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.

Other study options

If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Communication and Creative Industries (if you meet all the entry requirements).

Entry requirements

There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes.

To be eligible

Select the highest level of education you have or will be completing to find the entry requirements that applies to you.

You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

ATAR 58.00
This is the lowest adjusted score to which UniSQ made an offer in Trimester 1, 2025. Meeting the lowest adjusted score doesn't guarantee admission.

To study this degree, we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent

We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge.

This information applies if you’ve previously completed or started higher education study at university.

If you’ve done any study at UniSQ or another university, you may be eligible to apply based on your previous studies. We’ll use the best selection rank from your previous studies when assessing your application.

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you can use your Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) awards of: 

  • certificate III 
  • certificate IV 
  • diploma or  
  • advanced diploma  

to apply to study with UniSQ. 

We will review your academic history to determine if you’re eligible for admission. We’ll convert your TAFE or VET qualification, past school results and any relevant work experience into a selection rank. This selection rank will determine which degrees you meet the entry requirements for.

If it’s been over two years since you completed secondary education and you haven’t pursued any vocational education training (VET) or higher education since, you’re still eligible to study at UniSQ. 

You don't need to have an ATAR or come straight from high school to study at uni. Your work experience and other adjustment factors may help you meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Let us help you navigate through our entry options – start a conversation, whenever suits you.

All applicants

You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:

  • IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.

To learn more about the backgrounds of students in this degree, access the QTAC website via the How to apply section.

You can then explore the ATAR/selection rank of students offered a place in this degree in the first 2025 intake, based entirely or partly on their ATAR.

Entry pathways

There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.

Fees and scholarships

Commonwealth supported AUD 16,992
The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your degree, and you need to pay a student contribution.
  • This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (8 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee
  • This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
  • We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
  • Further details are available on the Fees website.

Additional costs

You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.

Payment options

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.

UniSQ Scholarships

We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!

Find out more

How to apply

You can apply to study at UniSQ via the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.

  1. Copy the QTAC code for the study location you've chosen for this degree.
  2. Click on the location you’ve chosen in the below table to take you to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.
  3. Select 'Apply Now' to create a QTAC account.
Apply
Degree code
DART
 Location  QTAC codes
 Online  909355
 Toowoomba  909351
 Springfield  929351

Some applicants may be eligible to apply directly to UniSQ if they meet certain criteria. Explore the application process that’s right for you.

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Start date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February 
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May 
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September
Trimester 1, 2026  Monday 16 February Monday 9 February  Monday 16 February 

More information on application key dates is available.

There are several special admission schemes that use adjustment factors to boost your ATAR or selection rank with additional points, to improve your chances of getting into your preferred degree.

You may be eligible for these admission schemes based on:

  • your background and personal circumstances
  • where you live
  • the subjects you studied at school.

You do not have to apply for these adjustments as they will be automatically applied by QTAC when your application is assessed.

Preparing to apply

You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:

Each degree has unique entry requirements so it’s essential to know the specifics for your chosen degree.

The documentation you need to provide with your application depends on your qualifications.

If applying through QTAC, you will also need a Unique Student Identifier which is your individual education number for life.

Application dates can vary so be sure to check our key dates to get all the details.

Follow our easy instructions to discover further information on applying to study that’s right for you.

Depending on how you applied to study at UniSQ, the process to accept your offer will vary.

Offer to study at UniSQ from QTAC

Offer to study from UniSQ

  • After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
  • Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.

Find out more

Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.

Live Chat

Available 5 days a week
Chat now

Phone

Freecall
1800 269 500

Email

Email us at study@unisq.edu.au

Appointment

Book an appointment

Frequently asked questions

What you will study in an Arts Diploma (or equivalent) will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

At UniSQ, with our Diploma of Arts you will study one core course and choose seven electives to study. We recommend that you select from three discipline areas. The discipline areas available include:

  • Humanities
  • Creative Arts
  • Business/IT
  • Sciences.

For further details on the specifics of each discipline, please view the degree structure section of this page. 

At UniSQ, to gain entry into our Diploma in Arts you need to meet a specific ATAR, pre-requisites and assumed knowledge requirements. ‘Assumed knowledge’ is the term we use to explain the minimum level of knowledge we presume you have in some subjects before you start your degree. 

For more information on entry requirements, please view the entry requirements section of this page. 

Do you still have questions? Get in touch with one of our iconnect support staff to talk through your options. 

With an Arts and Communication degree, you open yourself up to many rewarding career paths. A Diploma of Arts qualification from UniSQ gives you the opportunity to keep your career options open, as an arts qualification is multifaceted and covers many diverse disciplines. Some of the potential career industries including:

  • communication
  • media industries
  • anthropology
  • cultural, political and social justice
  • writing
  • publishing
  • para-legal practices.

You’ll also find that many of the principles you learn when you study an arts diploma are transferable across a range of industries, no matter where you end up working either in Australia or across the globe. 

We know that cost can play a big part in your decision to study. Learn about the fees related to university and the financial support options we have available during your arts diploma studies on our fees and scholarships website.

Yes! At UniSQ you can study a Diploma of Arts online as an external student and attend campus when required for practical experience. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, allowing you to balance study with your work and life commitments.

Work towards your undergraduate qualification at your own pace with our flexible learning options. Immerse yourself in campus life or learn your subject theory online - the choice is yours!

Discover the different ways you can study with UniSQ.