Communication and Design

Master of Digital Communication
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  • Qualification: level:

    Postgraduate
  • Duration:

    1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent

  • Units:

    12

  • Start date:

    Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct,

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Master the emerging digital technologies of the future

QUT ranked number 1 for communication and media courses in Australia.

In 2023, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) ranked 19th in the QS World University Rankings for communication and media courses, making it first in Australia. The exceptional ranking reflects QUT’s real-world focus on technology and its commitment to preparing graduates for the dynamic digital workplaces of the future.

With the ongoing paradigm shift of digital communication, gaining a Master of Digital Communication qualification at QUT Online offers an opportunity to develop diverse skill sets. Designed by leading digital communication scholars, the course provides graduates with a critical awareness of the contemporary digital environment that will benefit those in the workplace. The dynamic skill set will prove invaluable in industries that rely on digital communication and are undergoing constant technological innovation.

Through this course, graduates will have forward-thinking learning opportunities, which include:

  • developing an understanding of how AI and algorithms are transforming digital communication practices, including gaining a critical awareness around issues of algorithmic bias in moderation and developing technical skills in bot creation
  • analysing and creating compelling data-driven stories for social media
  • learning how to use tools to deliver data visualisations and analysis of social media audience behaviour
  • developing a critical understanding of academic scholarship and debate surrounding the impact of digital communication technologies on our lives

With a growing need for digital communication professionals, the course equips graduates with tools to use analytics thoughtfully, become strategic and critical thinkers, and identify and understand trends in a capricious digital environment.

Keeping students’ potentially diverse professional backgrounds and skill sets in mind, this course is ideal for those looking to upskill, enter the workforce, attain a postgraduate qualification or are already working in digital communications. It allows you to set yourself apart from other job seekers with a distinctive skill set offered by no other tertiary providers.

Studying your Master of Digital Communication online gives you the flexibility to choose the start time of your course (four teaching periods each year) and to tailor your studies to your personal preferences.

Our courses are developed by researchers who are giving advice to industry about policies and practises that are helping guide the future of these industries. That’s why we call QUT the university for the real world.” ~ Digital Communications – Michelle Riedlinger

Start your application process today to secure your future with QUT Online.

Build your digital portfolio

Your Master of Digital Communication will introduce you to various new and crucial digital tools in the communication design industry. Your coursework is specifically tailored to enhance your digital literacy skills with these tools so that you can build an impressive portfolio by the time you graduate.

Tableau

Tableau is the market-leading analytics platform transforming how we use data to solve real-world issues. The platform is the top choice for modern business intelligence and helps organisations visualise data and share insights that make real, impactful change. It’s used by influential companies such as Lenovo and Lufthansa Airlines.

Python

Python is a versatile computer programming language commonly used for machine learning, building websites and software, automating tasks, and conducting data analysis. Python is one of the most well-known programming languages for software developers and data scientists worldwide. Most modern tech companies daily rely on Python, including Instagram, Google, Spotify and Netflix.

Social Media Analytics Tools

You will be introduced to various tools for analysing social media content, including YouTube Data Tools (YTDT) and Crowdtangle..

OpenRefine

Almost all raw data is going to be messy at first. OpenRefine is a powerful tool designed to help you clean and transform large amounts of data from one format to another. The software resembles a spreadsheet, much like Microsoft Excel, but operates as a database to make your data easier to analyse.

Entry Requirements

You can gain entry into the Master of Digital Communication with:
    • a completed Bachelor’s degree (or higher qualification) in a relevant discipline such as advertising, animation, communication, interaction design, journalism, media, marketing or public relations or
    • a completed Bachelor’s degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline with at least six months full-time (or equivalent) professional and relevant work experience; or
    • completing QUT’s Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication or Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication

This course is not available to international students.

Talk to a Course Consultant

Course Consultants can provide more information about your specific qualifications or experience, or submit an enquiry by visiting the contact us page today.

Looking to upskill your team? Find out how QUT Online can bring top-tier expertise and industry knowledge to your organisation by educating your workforce.

"QUT is a university for the real world, and studying with QUT Online gives you all the opportunities to develop yourself professionally, while at the same time supporting our other commitments."

Rebecca Master of Digital Communication

Course Units

The Master of Digital Communication provides graduates with an advanced understanding of the social and economic impact of digital communication technologies and social media data analysis, data visualisation and storytelling strategies. The Master of Digital Communication contains micro, standard and project units. Micro units are completed in six weeks, while standard unit takes ten weeks, which ensures extra flexibility to your study schedule as you can increase or reduce your study load. Your Digital Communication Project is a capstone unit in the master's and is equivalent to two units of study. Your project allows you to draw together all the knowledge and skills you have gained from the Master of Digital Communication program and implement these in a research project.

Students who enrol in the Master of Digital Communication will have the opportunity to develop their abilities in the following areas:


  • Forming an understanding of the digital creative economy and debates around automation

  • The critical analysis of algorithms and content moderation

  • Advanced audience analytics

  • Advanced data-driven storytelling

  • Bot creation and analysis

  • Developing and implementing a research proposal

  • Conducting independent research for a project in the field of digital communication

MICRO UNITS (6 CREDIT POINTS PER MICRO UNIT)

STANDARD UNITS (12 CREDIT POINTS PER UNIT)

PROJECT UNITS

Download the course brochure to learn more

Support

Our dedicated support team is here to help you when you need it. They are available online or over the phone seven days a week to answer all your questions. They are here to help with everything from technical support to academic questions. QUT Online has the tools and people to make your postgraduate study achievable and enjoyable.

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Career opportunities

A career in digital communication will open doors to many industries as workplaces everywhere rely increasingly on digital technology for all their online communications.

According to Jobs and Skills Australia's Labour Market Insights, the expected growth of advertising and marketing professionals increase by 9,200 between 2021 and 2026. The total number of advertising and marketing professionals is estimated to be 89,300 in Australia alone. With only 17.4% of these professionals having a postgraduate degree, acquiring a master's degree in communications can give you a competitive edge when seeking a job.

Digital Strategist

Formulate digital strategies with media and content producers to achieve positive business outcomes.

Social Media Strategist

Conduct data-driven social media initiatives to increase brand awareness and drive business success.

Digital Coordinator

Coordinate the delivery of forward-thinking digital communication strategies in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Digital Officer

Prepare and coordinate communication materials while maintaining content across various channels.

Learning at QUT Online

A unique opportunity

Whether you’re advancing or changing your career, studying online is the flexible way to achieve your goal, allowing you to log on and learn when it suits.

Your network

We are ranked in the top 50 universities in the world for employer-student connections. And when you study with us, our connections become your connections.

Learning that suits you best

Fit study into your life, when it suits you. If you study on your lunch break, or after your kids are in bed, you can access everything you need, wherever you are.

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FAQs

What is the difference between digital communication and digital marketing?

Digital marketing is the umbrella term for all marketing activities that use digital platforms and devices like computers, smartphones, TV, SMS and digital media to promote services and products. Digital communication is the exchange of information through all the different digital channels like email, chats, social media websites etc. and can be seen as one of the tools used in digital marketing.

Do I require any IT knowledge for the coding unit?

No prior knowledge of any software is required. We also have an onboarding unit in Canvas called STM101. This helps students get set up with any software they may require.

How in-depth is the focus on social media? Is any prior knowledge required?

The course focuses heavily on social media, although assumes no prior knowledge.

Are there any equipment requirements for the IT portions of the course?

Any moderately modern PC or Mac with Windows 10 (or later) or macOS Catalina 10.15 (or later) is fine.