Overview

Study design and learn how to express your creative ideas through different mediums, including printed media, branding, illustration and packaging.

Develop critical thinking skills that offer solutions to design challenges and gain experience working as part of a team and individually. Learn how to create a visual impact through digital publishing, photography and web design, while gaining an understanding of the history, art and culture that influences the industry.

Why UniLink?

Our UniLink diplomas are designed to provide a seamless connection from diploma to bachelor degree. They’re an alternative pathway – with a next gen difference! You’ll join our thriving Hawthorn campus community and gain access to all the same Swinburne facilities and support as your degree peers, with the addition of tailored support. You’ll have access to increased one-on-one time with your experienced teachers, English language development and learning support, smaller class sizes and increased class time to further develop the skills you need to succeed. 

View Diploma of Design (UniLink) course handbook

Skills you’ll learn

  • Graphic design
  • Digital design skills
  • Concept development
  • Working in a team
  • Creative digital problem solving
  • Academic English and professional communication

Support available to you

We provide integrated support to you as an international student to help develop the skills you need to make a successful transition to study with Swinburne. The support services available include:

  • Embedded English language development within all course units
  • Smaller class sizes to ensure personalised development and learning support
  • Learning support services available 24/7
  • Increased class time dedicated to developing academic and communication skills
  • Access to expert teachers specialising in assisting non-English speaking students

Your career opportunities

After completion of the chosen bachelor degree, graduates may find employment in a wide range industries and associated areas.

  • Graphic designer
  • Advertising assistant
  • Packaging designer
  • Digital designer
  • Assistant developer

Key codes

CRICOS course code
085471K
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211523
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400236301
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why choose a UniLink diploma?

No time or cost added to your degree

Seamless and guaranteed connection to your degree

24/7 support for Academic English and skill development

Smaller class sizes and one-on-one time with teachers

Admissions

Successful completion of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. 

Non-Year 12 entry 

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. 

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit. 

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion in one of Art Creative Practice, Product Design And Technology, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making And Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design.
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in English OR at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL).
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion in one of Art Creative Practice, Product Design And Technology, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making And Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design.
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in English OR at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Apply for a pathway course

These pathways are recognised as an entry requirement to allow students to progress to a UniLink diploma.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of the Diploma of Design (UniLink), students must successfully complete eight units (100 credit points) comprising:

7
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
=
UniLink diploma

Transitioning into a degree

UniLink allows students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second. Completion of this course allows you to progress to these courses.

UniLink diploma
+
2
2-year studies
=
Bachelor degree

Your units

2024 fees

Commonwealth Supported Fee* ($AUD)

$10,788

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$32,930.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Future scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
DP-DES1
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
DP-DES1
Apply directly
Course code
DP-DES1
CRICOS code
085471K
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400236301
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211523
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Pathways Intake 3
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
16-October-2024
Start dates
21-October-2024
Pathways Intake 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
19-February-2025
Start dates
24-February-2025
Pathways Intake 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
18-June-2025
Start dates
23-June-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Pathways Intake 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
21-October-2024
Pathways Intake 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
24-February-2025
Pathways Intake 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
23-June-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024