Our programs

AWARD School is the first step in your journey to a brilliant career in creativity.

In just 12 weeks, you’ll be ready to make your next career move, whether it’s scoring a role in advertising, creating cut-through content, taking a business idea to the next level, or enhancing your creative skills with confidence. No experience necessary, just raw deas and determination.

IN-PERSON

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide

The national AWARD School course, held outside business hours, consists of 12 weeks’ part-time study with weekly lectures and Thursday night tutorials hosted by key advertising and creative agencies.

Lecturers are renowned creative industry leaders with expertise across digital, film, radio, print, social media and new business disciplines. A creative brief will be issued each week for students to work on with the assistance of tutors and mentors drawn from the cream of our industry.

What is the time commitment?
Lectures (typically released on Mondays) 30-60 minutes / week
Tutorials (Thursday Nights) 2 hours / week
Additional "idea generating" time 2+ hours / week (varies)

ONLINE

City | Regional | Overseas

Our online course is delivered virtually outside of work hours by lecturers and tutors drawn from Australia’s creative industry. All lectures, tutorials and the graduation event are held online. The graduation includes the announcement of the year’s top online student award.

The top student from each program (including online) will compete for the highly sought-after AWARD School national top student title.

What is the time commitment?
Lectures (typically released on Mondays) 30-60 minutes / week
Tutorials (Thursday Nights) 2 hours / week
Additional "idea generating" time 2+ hours / week (varies)

Key dates

APPLICATIONS OPEN

6 - 20 February 2025

COURSE TERM

March - July 2025

More details coming soon

A snapshot

Application process

2025 applications open from 6 to 20 February. Applicants will be given two weeks to answer four questions. Please note, no qualifications or experience is needed.

Once you have submitted your application for judging, a group of industry-leading creative directors will review all portfolios to determine the year’s students.  The judging process usually takes two weeks.

Course fees

Sydney in-person / Melbourne in-person / Online program: $2,420 including GST per person

Perth in-person / Brisbane in-person / Adelaide in-person: $1,980 including GST per person

AWARD School is powered by Advertising Council Australia which works to create inclusive training programs that provide equal opportunities to all persons regardless of their age, cultural background, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status or socioeconomic status. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact simone@adcouncil.org.au.

Indigenous Scholarships


If you’re an aspiring storyteller or a creative thinker and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, we’re offering scholarships for our 2025 program valued at up to $2,420 to cover the entire AWARD School course. These scholarships are issued each year.

FAQs

  • Info night (free)
    4 February 2025, 7:00-8:00 pm AEDT register here

    Application dates
    6 - 20 February 2025

    Course term
    March - July

    Graduation night
    August

    Sign up for updates!

  • Yes

  • 6 - 20 February 2025

  • Two weeks

  • Applicants will be asked to answer four questions.

    Question One: Why do you want to do the course?

    Question Two: In 2025, we'll be introducing a new question. Stay tuned for tips on how to tackle it, coming soon!

    For the rest of the questions, please refer to "I'm confused about questions 3 & 4" for references from last year.

  • You will only be judged on your ideas! No professional artist or photoshop skills are required. You're welcome to trace required images as part of your submission.

  • This question allows you to show the judges your personality. Have fun with it.

  • In 2025, we'll be introducing a new question. Stay tuned for tips on how to tackle it, coming soon!

  • Here are some tips on how to crack a brief:

    Start Practising
    Dive into practice briefs now. Check them out here.

    Focus on the Core Message
    Keep a single-minded proposition in mind—it’s the key thing you want to say about the brand or product.

    Get Familiar with the Product
    Use the product, visit the website, or experience the service. What stands out to you as a customer?

    Talk to the Target Market
    Get feedback from real customers. Show them your ideas and see how they react.

    Research the Competition
    Look at what competitors are doing well (and not so well).

    Review Past AWARD School Winners
    Check out winning portfolios for inspiration.

    Browse Creative Annuals
    Explore books like AWARD, D&AD, and The One Show for fresh ideas.

    Break Through Creative Blocks
    Take a break—sometimes the best ideas come when you step away and return with a fresh mind.

  • Goal means what the ad ultimately wants to achieve, whether it’s to make people think a certain way or do a certain task. Proposition is what the ad wants to say.

  • No, you can only provide one idea/execution per question.

  • Yes, but your final work should be drawn over with a black Sharpie or marker and scanned/photographed so it’s a JPG. Remember, no professional art skills are required and tracing of all images is fine. This course is all about the idea - you will be judged on your ideas, not your creative execution.

  • Applicants are evaluated based on the merit of their ideas rather than their drawing proficiency. It's important to emphasise that proficiency in drawing is not a requirement for participation in AWARD School. This ensures that applicants can allocate their time and efforts towards generating creative ideas, without feeling pressured by drawing skills.

    Applicants have the flexibility to either hand draw or utilise a device/program for drawing purposes. However, if a digital device/program is used, the output should maintain the essence of a hand-drawn scamp, avoiding excessive rendering.

  • It’s your choice, landscape or portrait, but make sure your work uploads the correct way up. All judging will be held online so it’s best to keep this in mind and present work as A4 size. Written work (i.e. question 1 - if you choose to write rather than draw your response) can be typed on A4 and then saved as a JPG. All answers are restricted to a maximum of one page.

  • All the state-based programs feature in-person interaction via selected lectures, tutorials, mid-program events and graduation nights. The online program is all delivered virtually and includes pre-recorded lectures and GoogleHangout tutorials - even a virtual graduation event.

  • Lectures (typically released on Mondays) 30-60 minutes / week

    Tutorials (Thursday Nights) 2 hours / week

    Additional "idea generating" time 2+ hours / week (varies)

  • For the purposes of meeting the Department of Home Affairs requirements, AWARD School cannot accept enrolments from international applicants on student visas.

  • No, you can only apply in one state/territory/program.

  • So you’re an art director or copywriter in an advertising agency with 12+ months of experience. You’re welcome to apply and complete AWARD School. The only thing to keep in mind is your eligibility for a Top 10 position will be under review. Refer to full T&C's here

  • Yes you can.

  • To be eligible for the Indigenous Scholarship, you must identify as of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent on the application form. If your application is accepted, on merit, you will automatically be considered for an Indigenous scholarship and a scholarship interview will take place prior to final acceptance. Up to six AWARD School Indigenous scholarships will be issued and applicants must not currently work in the advertising industry. Please refer to the fact sheet here

  • No extension will be provided. However, you can submit early.

  • Yes, but it's strongly advised you view/attend all lectures and tutorials to get the most out of the course. We suggest you talk to the Advertising Council and your tutors as soon as you start the course.

  • The AWARD School fee is due as soon as possible to secure your placement via credit card/debit card only. The deadline for payment is mid-March. Unfortunately, we do not offer payment plans.

  • Yes, you’re welcome to submit early.

  • All applicants will receive email notification on early-March

  • Sydney / Melbourne / Online Program
    $2,420 including GST per person

    Perth / Brisbane / Adelaide
    $1,980 including GST per person

  • AWARD School Terms & Conditions can be found here.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Book a phone call, contact simone@adcouncil.org.au

Email Us:
NSW / QLD / SA / Online program - simone@adcouncil.org.au
VIC - steph@adcouncil.org.au
WA - melissa@adcouncil.org.au