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, 2025
Study modeOn Campus, Online
Course codeCC26
First-year fee
$14,112 (Indicative) (CSP)
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

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.

Available locations

Your course

You must complete 16 units (96 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (8 units)
  2. 2
    Two four-unit minors

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Additional information

If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

Student and Course Profiles

View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2024 via our Institute Profile. 

Institute Profile

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the cost-per-unit spreadsheet available on our fees webpage for the approved unit fees. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth Supported Places

This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

HECS-HELP Loan

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. 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.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.

Explore scholarships.

How to apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your application options

Extra Admission Information

Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU. 

Applying for 2026

Applications for 2026 via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) open in April 2025.

More information will be available soon.

TAC codes