A Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication is a postgraduate qualification designed to build focused capability in how organisations communicate with employees, leaders, stakeholders and external audiences.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication develops capability across organisational storytelling, stakeholder engagement, risk and crisis communication, and the role communication plays in organisational reputation and performance.

Corporate communication is the strategic management of how an organisation communicates with its internal and external stakeholders.

It can include internal communication, leadership communication, stakeholder engagement, organisational storytelling, reputation management, public relations, issues and crisis communication, and the development of consistent messages across different audiences and channels.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication is designed for professionals who want to strengthen how they communicate within and on behalf of organisations.

It can suit corporate communication and public relations professionals, marketing and brand professionals, business leaders and managers, stakeholder and community engagement professionals, and people transitioning into corporate communication roles.

No. You do not need a communication degree to be eligible for the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication.

Applicants with a completed bachelor’s degree or higher qualification can meet the academic entry pathway regardless of discipline. Alternative entry pathways are also available for applicants with an advanced diploma or associate degree plus relevant professional experience, or substantial relevant professional experience without a prior degree.

You’ll build capability in organisational storytelling, stakeholder engagement, risk and crisis communication, and understanding how communication shapes organisational reputation and public perception.

You’ll also develop the ability to communicate across different audiences, consider ethical, cultural and legal factors, strengthen stakeholder relationships and connect communication activity with broader organisational objectives.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication comprises four core subjects totalling 24 credit points:

• Understanding Communication in Society
• Organisational Storytelling and Engagement
• Communicating Risk, Issues, and Crises
• Driving Stakeholder Engagement

Together, these subjects build a foundation across communication theory, organisational storytelling, reputation and crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Yes. Risk, issues, crisis communication and organisational reputation are key areas within the course.

Through Communicating Risk, Issues, and Crises, you’ll explore how organisations assess communication risks, respond to issues and crises, manage reputational challenges and maintain stakeholder trust in complex situations.

Related subjects in organisational storytelling and stakeholder engagement also help you understand how communication contributes to reputation over time.

Yes. The course develops capability relevant to both internal and external corporate communication.

You’ll examine how organisations use storytelling to engage people, how communication supports relationships with different stakeholder groups, and how corporate messages can be aligned with organisational values and objectives.

The course is broader than internal communication alone, with study also covering risk, crisis communication, reputation and communication in society.

No. Corporate communication and public relations overlap, but they are not the same.

Public relations commonly focuses on media relations, reputation and communication with external audiences. Corporate communication is broader and can also include internal communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership communication, organisational storytelling, issues and crisis communication, and long-term communication strategy.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication develops capability across this broader corporate communication context.

Both UTS Online Graduate Certificates comprise four subjects and can provide a pathway into the Master of Strategic Communication, but they focus on different areas of communication practice.

The Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication focuses more closely on organisational storytelling, risk and crisis communication and stakeholder engagement in corporate and organisational settings.

The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication builds a broader foundation across communication in society, intercultural and international communication, emerging communication practices and stakeholder engagement.

The right option depends on the communication capability you want to build and your professional direction.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication can be completed in a minimum of eight months.

The course comprises four online subjects totalling 24 credit points, with students studying one subject at a time through the UTS Online study model.

Yes. The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication is designed for professionals who want to complete postgraduate study alongside existing work and personal commitments.

You’ll study one subject at a time through structured online learning, allowing you to focus on one area of corporate communication at a time and apply what you learn in your professional context as you progress.

How you balance work, study and personal commitments will depend on your individual circumstances, so it is important to plan for the weekly study requirements of each subject.

Not necessarily. You may be eligible for the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication without a bachelor’s degree.

Current entry pathways include a completed Australian bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, or an Australian advanced diploma or associate degree plus at least two years of relevant post-secondary professional experience. Applicants may also be considered with at least four years of relevant professional work experience and demonstrated capacity to undertake tertiary study.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.

You may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, or RPL, if your previous study or professional experience meets the relevant UTS course requirements.

UTS assesses RPL after an offer of enrolment has been accepted. The amount of credit available depends on your individual circumstances and the evidence provided.

Yes. The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication provides a pathway into the UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication.

The Graduate Certificate comprises four subjects totalling 24 credit points. If you successfully complete the Graduate Certificate and receive the full 24 credit points towards the master’s, you will have eight additional subjects remaining to complete the 12-subject degree, subject to current UTS credit rules.

The Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication provides a pathway into the CPRA-accredited Master of Strategic Communication.

A Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication can help you build capability that can be applied across corporate communication, public relations, stakeholder engagement, reputation, brand and digital communication roles.

Depending on your previous experience, career directions may include Corporate Communications Advisor, Communication Officer, Public Relations Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Digital Communication Strategist, Brand or Communication Coordinator and related corporate affairs roles.

The qualification does not lead to one specific role, and career outcomes will depend on your existing experience and professional direction.

Whether a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication is worthwhile depends on your experience, career goals and the capability you want to build.

For professionals who want a shorter postgraduate qualification, it can provide a focused way to build capability in organisational storytelling, stakeholder engagement, reputation and crisis communication without initially committing to a full master’s degree.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication can also provide a pathway into the Master of Strategic Communication if you decide to continue your postgraduate study.

The current indicative tuition fee for the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication is $14,340 in total, with an indicative fee of $3,585 per subject.

Fees are indicative and subject to change. Your total course fee may vary depending on your study plan, Recognition of Prior Learning and the fees applicable at the time of enrolment, so refer to the UTS Online fees page for the latest information.

Yes. FEE-HELP is available to eligible students studying the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication.

FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that can help eligible full-fee-paying students cover some or all of their tuition fees.

Eligibility requirements apply, so check the current FEE-HELP information before enrolling.

UTS Online courses have six intakes per year, giving you multiple opportunities to commence the Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication.

Intake dates can change from year to year, so refer to the course page for the next available intake and current application dates.

For a standard six-credit-point UTS Online subject, you should typically allow around 15–20 hours per week for study.

This can include working through weekly learning materials, completing readings and activities, participating in online discussions and preparing assessments. Your actual study time may vary depending on the subject, your previous experience and assessment deadlines.

UTS Online students generally study one subject at a time, helping you focus your study around your professional and personal commitments.

For more information, read our guide to study resources with an example study schedule.

Assessment in the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication varies by subject and is designed to reflect practical, real-world corporate communication, reputation and stakeholder engagement challenges.

Depending on the subject, assessments may include written assignments, case analyses, presentations, quizzes, proposals, professional or workplace projects, oral assessments and collaborative activities.

Assessment requirements, including whether exams or group assessments apply, are subject-specific, so refer to the individual subject information in the UTS Handbook for current details.

The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication is delivered online through Canvas, with students studying one subject at a time through structured weekly modules. You’ll engage with practical activities, multimedia learning, peer discussions and assessments designed to connect your studies with real-world corporate communication, reputation and stakeholder engagement challenges.

Throughout the course, you’ll also have access to support including:
• A dedicated Student Success Advisor
• Academic and assignment support
• UTS Career Hub resources and networking opportunities
• Peer learning and presentation support
• Confidential health and wellbeing services

Here’s a video example showcasing key features of our online learning platform, including tools designed to enhance your study experience.

Or read our tips for balancing postgraduate study with work and life: https://studyonline.uts.edu.au/blog/balancing-postgraduate-study-and-life-commitments-practical-tips-success