A Master of Strategic Communication is a postgraduate degree designed to develop advanced capability in how organisations plan, create, manage and evaluate communication to achieve strategic goals.

The UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication develops capability across stakeholder engagement, intercultural communication, emerging communication practices, risk and crisis communication, organisational storytelling, advertising, campaigns and applied research.

A strategic communication professional plans and manages communication that supports an organisation’s broader goals.

Depending on the role, this can involve audience and stakeholder research, message development, reputation management, media and digital communication, crisis response, organisational storytelling, campaign strategy and evaluating communication outcomes.

The focus is not simply on producing communication content, but on making informed decisions about what an organisation communicates, to whom, how and why.

The UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication is designed for professionals who want to deepen their communication expertise or move into more strategic and leadership-focused roles.

It can suit corporate communication and public relations professionals, stakeholder engagement and crisis communication specialists, marketing and digital communication professionals, government and policy advisors, and professionals transitioning into senior communication roles.

You’ll build advanced capability in strategic communication planning, stakeholder engagement, intercultural communication, organisational storytelling, reputation and crisis communication, advertising, campaigns and applied research.

You’ll also strengthen your ability to analyse audiences and communication environments, develop evidence-informed strategies, communicate across diverse cultural contexts and connect communication decisions with organisational objectives.

The UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication comprises 12 subjects totalling 72 credit points.

You’ll complete 10 core subjects:
• Understanding Communication in Society
• Intercultural and International Communication
• Emergent Communication Practices
• Driving Stakeholder Engagement
• Communicating Risk, Issues and Crises
• Organisational Storytelling and Engagement
• Contemporary Advertising
• Strategic Campaigns
• Applied Research Methods
• Strategic Communication Project

You’ll also complete two elective subjects from the approved elective list.

Yes. Alongside 10 core strategic communication subjects, you’ll complete two electives.

Current elective options include subjects in branding, data ethics, data analytics, digital marketing, audience engagement, business analytics, leadership and technology-enabled marketing.

This gives you the opportunity to broaden your capability beyond core communication practice and connect part of the degree to your professional interests.

Yes. Risk, issues, crisis communication and organisational reputation are important areas within the UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication.

Through subjects including Communicating Risk, Issues and Crises, Driving Stakeholder Engagement and Organisational Storytelling and Engagement, you’ll explore how organisations communicate in complex situations, manage stakeholder expectations and protect or rebuild trust.

Public relations is one area within the broader field of strategic communication.

Public relations commonly focuses on areas such as media relations, reputation and public-facing communication. Strategic communication takes a broader organisational view and can also include stakeholder engagement, internal communication, crisis and issues management, organisational storytelling, campaigns, research, digital communication and long-term communication planning.

The UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication develops this broader strategic capability.

The UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication can be completed in a minimum of two years.

The course comprises 12 online subjects totalling 72 credit points, with students studying one subject at a time through the UTS Online study model.

Yes. The UTS Online Master of Strategic 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 communication study 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.

A qualifying higher education award is required for direct entry to the UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication.

If you do not meet the direct entry requirements, you may be eligible to begin with the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication or Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication. Both Graduate Certificates have alternative entry pathways that can consider relevant professional experience.

If you successfully complete an eligible Graduate Certificate, it can provide a pathway into the master’s degree, subject to current UTS admissions and credit requirements.

Yes. Both the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication and Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication provide pathways into the Master of Strategic Communication.

Each Graduate Certificate comprises four subjects totalling 24 credit points. If you successfully complete an eligible 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.

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 Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication can be available as an exit qualification for eligible students who begin the Master of Strategic Communication and complete the required study but do not complete the full master’s degree.

Eligibility depends on the subjects successfully completed and current UTS course rules. Check the current course requirements before applying for an exit award.

Yes. UTS states that its postgraduate Strategic Communication degrees are externally accredited by Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), formerly the Public Relations Institute of Australia.

CPRA accreditation considers areas including course structure, subject content, work-integrated learning and assessment to determine how the degree aligns with professional communication practice and industry expectations.

A Master of Strategic Communication can support progression into senior communication, corporate affairs, public relations, stakeholder engagement, campaigns, brand, reputation and communication leadership roles.

Career directions relevant to the UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication can include:
• Communications Director
• Public Relations Manager
• Corporate Affairs Advisor
• Digital Communication Strategist
• Brand Manager
• Stakeholder Engagement Manager
• Campaign Manager
• Communication or Reputation Advisor

Career outcomes will depend on your previous experience, industry and professional direction.

Whether a Master of Strategic Communication is worthwhile depends on your existing experience, career goals and the capability you want to build.

For professionals who want to move beyond communication execution into strategy, advisory or leadership-focused work, a master’s degree can provide a structured way to deepen capability in stakeholder engagement, research, reputation, crisis communication, campaigns and organisational communication.

The UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication is designed to help you connect these areas with real organisational challenges while continuing to build your professional experience.

Yes. UTS also offers a campus-based Master of Strategic Communication at its City campus in Sydney.

The UTS Online and campus-based courses use different delivery formats and study arrangements, so compare the current course structures, timetables and entry requirements when deciding which option best suits your circumstances.

The current indicative tuition fee for the UTS Online Master of Strategic Communication is $43,020 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 Master of Strategic 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 Master of Strategic 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 Master of Strategic Communication varies by subject and is designed to reflect practical, real-world strategic communication, reputation and stakeholder engagement challenges.

Depending on the subject, assessments may include written assignments, case analyses, presentations, communication or campaign proposals, research tasks, professional 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 Master of Strategic 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 strategic 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