Associate Degree of Digital Media

Rank thresholdATAR: 60 SR: 60
Duration2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Location
Online and
Next start termTerm 1, 2024
Study modeOn Campus, Online
Course codeCC26
Digital Media students filming a guitarist in front of a green screen.

Overview

CQUniversity's Associate Degree of Digital Media can prepare you for para-professional work in the digital media industries. This course will provide you with skills and knowledge that can be applied in a variety of fields associated with design, technology and media. The flexible course structure allows you to focus on your strengths and interests by pursuing minors in graphic design, interactive media, screen production, animation, or a combination of these areas.

The Associate Degree 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.

The course's flexible structure allows you to focus on your individual strengths and interests by pursuing specialisations in Graphic Design, Interactive Media, Screen Production, Animation, or a combination of these areas.

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 online, 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.

The Associate Degree of Digital Media is an optional exit / interim award within 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.

Graduates of the Associate Degree of Digital Media may articulate into the third year of the Bachelor of Digital Media.

Study experience

Career Opportunities

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. Completion of the Associate Degree of Digital Media will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in fields 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
  • education and training

Structure & Availability

Course structure

You are required to complete 16 units including eight core units and two four-unit minors in either graphic design, interactive media, screen production, animation.

Unit information

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

On-Campus Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2024Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton
Term 2, 2024Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton

Online Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2024Available Online
Term 2, 2024Available Online

Animation minor

Learn how to execute high-quality motion graphics and visual effects, 3D computer graphics, 3D character design and 3D animation using industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects. 

Graphic Design minor

Build your knowledge of key concepts within visual communication design, print design, contemporary photomedia, and digital communications management. Plus, develop skills and know-how with industry-standard software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. 

Interactive Media minor

Explore your curiosity within the revolutionary world of web application development, game development and design, and mobile application development. Plus, you'll learn to use technologies such as the Apache web server, the PHP scripting language, the MySQL database system, and the WordPress content management system.

Screen Production minor
Explore your creativity and storytelling ability with techniques in visual storytelling, video editing and post-production, audio production, writing for the screen, and documentary filmmaking in your minor studies. Plus, you'll develop skills and know-how with industry-standard software such as Adobe Premiere and Adobe Audition. 

This course has no residential schools.

Requirements

Rank threshold

The rank threshold is the minimum competitive rank required for your application to be considered for entry to this course.

The rank threshold for this course is: SR 60 | ATAR 60.0


Student profile

If you would like to know more about entry scores for applicants with recent secondary education and the student profile for this course view our Course and Entry Score Profile for Term 1, 2023.

Institute profile

To find out about CQUniversity's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2023 view our Institute Profile.

Recommended study

No recommended study required

Prerequisites

English (Units 3 and 4, C)

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

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 at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - requires 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) - requires 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 the 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.

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2023 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee$12,571

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year (generally, this is eight units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth support and government assistance loans

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. Learn more about paying for university.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

How to apply

StateAdmission Code
QueenslandOnline: 852145; Cairns: 822141; Rockhampton: 852141; Mackay: 842141; Bundaberg: 812141; Brisbane: 882141
Northern TerritoryOnline: 150911
New South WalesOnline: 160911
South AustraliaOnline: 150911
TasmaniaOnline: 150911
VictoriaOnline: 150911
Western AustraliaOnline: 150911

If you have decided what you would like to study and are ready to apply, we’re here to help you along the way. Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Simply visit usi.gov.au to create one.

Want to know more about application dates and other admission information?
View our important dates information and read about other admission considerations such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support.

What’s the best way to apply?

  • Option 1: Ideal for most situations, whether you have completed high school recently or some time ago.
  • Option 2: Ideal if you have previously studied with CQUni.

Option 1: Ideal for most situations, apply via a tertiary admission centre

View the table below for the best application option based on where you live.

If you live in Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)*
Queensland Apply via QTAC
New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Apply via UAC
Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia Apply via ApplyCQUNI

*Please note that you may be required to pay a fee when applying via a TAC.


Option 2: If you have previously studied with CQUni, apply direct.

As a past CQUni student, you may be eligible to apply directly to CQUniversity for this course. To apply direct, your prior study with CQUni must be a completed or partially completed CQUni course or unit including:

  • CQUni’s Skills for Tertiary Entrance Preparatory Studies (STEPS), Tertiary Entrance Program (TEP), or Start Uni Now (SUN) units.
  • A CQUni certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or research higher degree, or a unit within these courses.