Diploma in Advertising Design
Southern University College · Skudai, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Diploma in Advertising Design at Southern University College combines theories and practical work to build a broad-based knowledge of Advertising Design. Students learn advanced skills in using related digital software, develop creativity and innovative thinking, and strengthen visual expression and communication for the creative advertising industry.
The programme covers common core subjects such as Design Fundamental, Computer Graphic Study, History of Art & Design, Introduction of Photography, and Professional Practice, alongside programme core modules like Typography I, Typography II, Digital Graphic Design, Digital Image Processing, Digital Animation, and Final Project. Students also complete an Industrial Training component and choose from electives such as General English and Creative Film Production.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Common Core includes Color Study, Computer Graphic Study, Design Fundamental, Drawing Fundamental, History of Art & Design, Introduction of Photography, and Professional Practice.
- Discipline Core covers Studio Drawing, Products & Models Photography, Packaging Design, Typography I, Digital Image Processing, Advertising Principle & Creativity, Visual Production, Web Design I, Desktop Publishing I, and Corporate Identity System.
- Students build practical studio competence through visual production, layout, typography fundamentals, and introductory web/design workflows.
- Discipline Core continues with Digital Graphic Design, Illustration, Typography II, Creative Thinking & Design Method, Web Design II, and Final Project.
- Elective Core and Elective Open options allow learners to shape their advertising design direction using modules such as Digital Animation, Desktop Publishing II, Creative Film Production, 3D Modelling, Introduction to Multimedia Design, Marketing Research, Introduction to Consumer Behaviour, and General English.
- Students focus on producing advertising design assets across print/digital formats and strengthening creativity, ideation, and design methods for client-style outcomes.
Curriculum
Credit-hour curriculum table for Diploma in Advertising Design (Southern University College). Total credits published for the programme: 92 credit hours.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Compulsory subjects and programme core (initial stage) | Design Fundamental | ||
| Drawing Fundamental | ||||
| Colour Study | ||||
| Computer Graphic Study | ||||
| History of Art & Design | ||||
| Introduction of Photography | ||||
| Professional Practice | ||||
| Studio Drawing I | ||||
| Illustration | ||||
| Typography I | ||||
| Year 2 | Programme core, electives, and industrial training (completion stage) | Typography II | ||
| Digital Graphic Design | ||||
| Digital Image Processing | ||||
| Creative Thinking & Design Method | ||||
| Digital Animation | ||||
| Web Design I | ||||
| Desktop Publishing I | ||||
| Advertising Principle & Creativity | ||||
| Visual Production | ||||
| Packaging Design | ||||
| Corporate Identity System | ||||
| Products & Models Photography | ||||
| Final Project | ||||
| Industrial Training | ||||
| Elective option blocks | Electives (student selects electives as published) | Foundation English | ||
| Desktop Publishing II | ||||
| Creative Film Production | ||||
| 3D Modelling | ||||
| Introduction of Multimedia Design | ||||
| Introduction to Consumer Behaviour | ||||
| Web Design II | ||||
| Fine Art Photography | ||||
| Marketing Research | ||||
| Physical Education I | ||||
| Total | All compulsory, core, electives, and industrial training components (credits published as total for programme) | 92 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with job-ready advertising design skills used in roles like Graphic Designer, Brand Executive, Communication Executive, and Copywriter in Malaysia’s creative and advertising sector.
- You develop practical production competence through modules such as Desktop Publishing, Corporate Identity System, Visual Production, and Web Design, helping you contribute to real campaigns and brand assets.
- You strengthen portfolio-building work through studio-focused learning and the Final Project, positioning you for internship and entry-level creative roles.
- You gain foundational digital design capability (for example, Digital Image Processing, Digital Graphic Design, and Typography I/II) that supports employability across agencies, in-house marketing teams, and multimedia production studios.
- You are trained to support advertising communication across both traditional and online media, giving you flexibility for different advertising channels and workflows.
Employability rate
We could not find official Malaysia-specific graduate employability statistics for diploma-level advertising design graduates from the allowed official sources during this build.
Based on the course’s stated advertising-related career roles and practical production focus, you can expect a steady path into entry-level creative design roles where portfolio evidence and practical skills matter in hiring decisions.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| International applicants’ entry qualifications | International applicants must meet the programme’s entry requirements listed by Southern University College, which include SPM or O-Level (minimum 3 credits) or UEC (minimum 3 credits), or a certificate or equivalent in a related field with CGPA 2.0. Applicants must also pass an interview OR submit a portfolio as required by the HEP. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Design and visual communication (advertising design, digital graphics, typography, photography, and related media) | Direct match | Matches the programme’s core and elective areas such as Digital Graphic Design, Typography, Digital Image Processing, Advertising Principle & Creativity, and Digital Animation. |
Language requirements
For international applicants, Southern University College requires proof of English competency for admission to this Diploma in Advertising Design. The programme page specifies the minimum English competency requirement for international students; applicants must meet this before enrolment.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 45300 / total program | From Southern University College 2026 international student school fees document: Diploma in Advertising Design shows Tuition & Misc Fees 44,300 (Total RM 51,800) and Other Charges 7,500. |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | From Southern University College 2026 international student school fees document: Application Fee 500. |
Proof of financial resources
International students should be prepared to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition and required fees for study in Malaysia. Submit financial documents in line with the visa/student pass requirements when applying through the international student process.
- Proof of funds for tuition and required fees for the programme (as requested during the international student admission and student pass process).
- Bank statement and/or financial sponsor evidence if required by the international student office or visa/student pass process.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your admission documents and meet the entry criteria
Review the Diploma in Advertising Design entry requirements for international applicants on the programme page. Ensure you have the relevant school-leaving qualification or a related certificate equivalent with CGPA 2.0 where applicable. Prepare your portfolio if you intend to submit it in place of an interview (as determined by the HEP). Start early to ensure your English competency evidence is ready before application submission.
Submit your application to Southern University College during the intake window
Apply to Southern University College through the international admissions process for your chosen intake. Complete the application form accurately and upload the requested identification and academic documents. Pay any published application fee (if applicable in the university’s international student process). After submission, monitor your email or admissions updates for interview/portfolio instructions.
Attend the interview or submit the portfolio as required
The programme entry requirement states that applicants must pass an interview OR submit a portfolio determined by the HEP as required. Follow the university’s instructions on timing and format for the interview or portfolio submission. If you are submitting a portfolio, ensure it clearly represents your design and creative work aligned with advertising design. Keep copies of all documents you submit.
Complete offer and payment steps for international student processing
Once you receive the next steps from the international admissions office, follow the instructions to complete acceptance and required payments. Provide any additional documents needed for student pass processing during the international student workflow. Ensure the bank/financial evidence you prepare aligns with what is requested by the university process and the student pass requirement.