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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

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).

 

Are you an international student?

Visit the program page for detailed information about the Diploma of Arts offered to international students, including academic and English entry requirements.

Learn more

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

WordPress Tables

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 learn how to create, maintain and analyse a detailed and accurate system that displays the finances of a business or organization.

The purpose of this module is to help English as an Additional Language (EAL) students communicate effectively in the cultural and academic context of an Australian University. The module aims to improve students’ written and spoken command of English to a level appropriate for entry into first year undergraduate studies.

The study of Design provides students with opportunities to develop an understanding of key design concepts and principles, and their application in environmental, graphic and/or product design

The study of psychology helps students to understand their own behaviour, and that of others. While psychological knowledge is often applied to the assessment and treatment of mental health problems, it is also used to understand and solve problems in many different contexts

This module provides students with opportunities to develop an understanding of Artificial Intelligence, and its impact on humanity and the way we work.

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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