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Diploma of Arts

Key Information

Start Dates

February, June, October

View important dates

Duration

Stage 1: 8 or 12 months

Stage 2: 8 or 12 months

 

Campus Location

Adelaide University’s Adelaide City Campus – East

Domestic Fees 2026

Stage 1: $16,000

Stage 2: $20,480

FEE-HELP available

CRICOS code: 118451D

SATAC code: 5F6004

Program overview

Explore contemporary society, culture, and communication while developing essential academic and critical-thinking skills. The Diploma of Arts provides a strong foundation for students interested in areas such as human services, creative industries, and design, preparing you for direct entry into a range of bachelor’s degrees at Adelaide University.

Potential career paths include:

  • Social Work
  • Community Services
  • Policy and Research
  • Media and Communications
  • Digital Design
  • Film and Screen Production
  • Fine Arts
  • Architecture
  • Creative Industries

The Diploma pathway option is for Australian students who:

  • Do not meet ATAR entrance requirements for direct bachelor entry
  • Complete Year 12 (SACE) but do not attain an ATAR
  • Do not complete enough subjects to achieve SACE
  • Need to meet pre-requisite requirements for bachelor entry
  • Successfully complete Year 11 and do not wish to continue on to Year 12, or
  • Are a mature-aged student that does not meet mature-age university entry requirements (assessed case-by-case).

 

Credit transfer

Eynesbury Diploma programs provide direct entry with credit into a wide range of Adelaide University degree programs and are an ideal alternative means of entry for students who are otherwise ineligible to enter university

SC = Successful Completion

*IELTS 6.5/6.5 in all bands on entry to the Diploma of Arts

Last updated October 2025

Additional information

Classes

Classes run between 9am and 5.30pm on weekdays (Adelaide time zone, ACST). You can expect between 4-6 hours of private study per module, per week.

Mode of Study

Programs are delivered through a variety of modes, not excluding online studies

Entry requirements

To enter the Diploma of Arts , you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

  • Stage 1: Completion of Australian Year 11
  • Stage 2: Completion of Australian Year 12

Not sure if you meet the requirements? Contact our admissions team for guidance or explore alternative pathways. View all entry requirements

Diploma Structure

All students are required to complete the tertiary preparation module in their first trimester. This module does not count towards the study load or GPA, a non-graded pass is required to proceed.

This module is designed to provide students with opportunities to review, develop and practice the English language systems and skills required to successfully participate in an undergraduate degree program. Successful completion of this module is required for graduation.

Stage 1

In this module students will be provided with an understanding and application of essential study skills, covering independent learning skills and styles, active listening, presentation, and group work skills.

You will be introduced to the use of the Internet, social media and associated technologies in society and business. Through the module, you will utilise Microsoft Office along with online tools for effective communication and discuss the ethical and security issues related to the use of Information Communication Technologies.

This module provides you with an introduction to the basic principles of design and their application to various publications. You will use the design process & different software to publish material for both print and electronic media and analyse the messages communicated through different design elements.

In this unit you are introduced to the basic principles of communication and its role in society and culture. You will investigate the effects of different forms of verbal and non-verbal communication and describe cultural influences on the communication process.

This module will introduce you to the basic principles of critical thinking. It also assists you in developing skills needed for the tertiary study environment, including academic reading, listening, and notetaking, as well as written formats and referencing.

This module analyses the use of media in society and its role in cultural life. You will investigate the different factors, which shape cultures today and discuss how the media affects popular culture, interpretations of the world and contributes to cultural identity.

Electives (choose 2)

The module provides you with a professional guide to career planning to ensure success in your future working lives. The module includes understanding modern workplaces and practices, the responsibilities of different agents in the work environment, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to employment including interviews and applying for jobs. This course aims to bridge understandings and to prepare you for the professional and wider world.

This unit provides you with an understanding and application of foundation concepts in the business disciplines of management and leadership, finance, marketing and human resources. You will discuss current trends, opportunities, and issues that impact on contemporary business and learn to use appropriate communication for the business environment.

This module will introduce you to the basic concepts of human biology as a foundation for further study in this area. You will develop an understanding of the main body systems and the associated biology, and an awareness and appreciation of the human body in a personal, social, and medical context. Programming This module introduces you to the basic principles of programming and their use in writing simple programs. You will use the systems development life cycle to write programs combining different data types and programming structures and learn techniques to test successful outcomes.

This module introduces you to the basic principles of programming and their use in writing simple programs. You will use the systems development lifecycle to write programs combining different data types and programming structures and learn techniques to test successful outcomes.

This module introduces you to the mathematical concepts required for further studies, particularly in statistics. You will learn to use fundamental arithmetic and algebra to solve problems, and apply statistical processes and concepts including sampling techniques and different forms of presentation.

In this module you are introduced to the basic concepts of Physics, with a particular focus on motion and heat. You will learn appropriate equations and units for demonstrating different concepts and conduct experiments to analyse and test theories.

Stage 2

This course will develop students’ understanding of social media’s role in transforming societies globally and will prepare students to engage digitally as responsible citizens and as professionals.

In this module students will be introduced to the fundamental approaches to human communication and to the development, use and role of communication & media technologies in human society.

You will develop their understanding of linguistic and cultural diversity, including that of Aboriginal and other indigenous peoples, and explore its implications for intercultural communication in the contemporary world.

This module introduces you to a wide range of professional and technical texts, and develops students’ skills in planning, drafting, evaluating& editing both written and visual content.

In this module students will develop knowledge & skills in using industry standard illustration, image editing and page layout software to produce effective print publications for different purposes and target audiences.

Pre-requisite: Design DES001

This module introduces you to the fundamental practice-led research and creative design principles, processes, skills, and media production techniques required for use within and across a variety of digital formats.

This module introduces fundamental theoretical principles and practise underpinning various forms of public communication. It provides an understanding of the political, economic, social and technological context of organisations’ communication approaches, particularly public relations and advertising.

You will be introduced to the history & philosophy of psychology, personality psychology (including theories of personality, methods of assessing personality and individual differences), social psychology (including interpersonal behaviour, attitudes and discourse) and the major theories of human childhood development.

You will explore the underlying existence of consistent rules in the ways that nature, design & the processes of digital media software all operate and will develop an appreciation of how an understanding of these elements can empower and enrich design practice.

This module will explore film and media history as it connects to different storytelling strategies and uses of film styles.

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