Master of Design
Overview
The Master of Design is tailored to students who have a deep interest in meaningful and useable design that compels, informs and delights. The course focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration and uses a dynamic, project-based, studio learning environment to expand professional capability. Students will enhance their expertise within a chosen design field and acquire the knowledge to become leaders.
Students enhance their expertise within a chosen design field, including visual communication design, industrial design, interior architecture and digital media design. They also broaden their skills and knowledge in design practice, 3D printing, interaction design, design management, computer-aided design and visualisation tools.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Upgrade your skills
- Analysis skills
- Problem solving skills
- Communication skills
- Ability to tackle unfamiliar situations
- Ability to work independently
Stretch your career further
Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.
- Designer
- Strategic design lead
- Design consultant
- Junior consultant
Key codes
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.
Strong industry connections and co-creation
- Australian Centre for Inclusive Design
- Pretzel Lab
- No Vacancy Gallery
- City of Casey Smart Cities and Innovation
- Boroondara Council
- Uniting Age Well
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
Graduate employers include Ford, Telstra, and Blackmagic Design
Ranked top 20 in Australia for PG Graduate Salary – 5 stars
Qualifications
Admission to the Master of Design will require one of the following:
Bachelor's degree in design or related field*; or
Bachelor's degree in any discipline plus a minimum of three years relevant professional experience** in design or a related field*; or
Completion of postgraduate studies*** (graduate certificate / graduate diploma) in design or related field*.
*Related fields may include architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, digital arts, creative arts, multimedia or digital media (web, mobile applications, audio or video production), product design engineering, design technology, games, animation and interactivity, and creative industries.
**Relevant professional experience must be documented in either a portfolio (see below) or a detailed CV (see below). Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
***Students with a recognised Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma may only need to be complete 150 or 100 credit points, respective
Admission to the Master of Design will require one of the following:
Bachelor's degree in design or related field*; or
Bachelor's degree in any discipline plus a minimum of three years relevant professional experience** in design or a related field*; or
Completion of postgraduate studies*** (graduate certificate / graduate diploma) in design or related field*.
*Related fields may include architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, digital arts, creative arts, multimedia or digital media (web, mobile applications, audio or video production), product design engineering, design technology, games, animation and interactivity, and creative industries.
**Relevant professional experience must be documented in either a portfolio (see below) or a detailed CV (see below). Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
***Students with a recognised Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma may only need to be complete 150 or 100 credit points, respective
Other requirements
Do I need to submit a Portfolio?
Applicants must submit a digital portfolio if:
Applicants do not have an undergraduate degree in Design or a related-field (a detailed CV is an accepted alternative to a portfolio); or
Applicants are seeking Advanced Standing (unit exemptions) outside of an agreed pathway or articulation agreement.
How to submit a portfolio:
To submit a digital portfolio, applicants will first need to complete their online application. They will then receive a communication as to how to provide a portfolio.
What is a detailed CV?
A detailed CV clearly details descriptions of design capability, experience, examples of applied design capability, and reference from a relevant professional attesting to capability.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process.The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
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.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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.
-
Graduate Certificate of Design
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Master of Design, students must complete 200 credit points.
Your units
Graduate Certificate degree
Completing 2 core units entitles you to the graduate certificate.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD40001 |
|
Studio 2: Design Principles
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD60011 |
|
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD60030 |
|
Specialisation Units
Applied Design or Design Factory Melbourne
|
|
Masters degree
Completing an additional 2 core units and 4 stream units entitles you to a Master of Design.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD40001 |
|
Studio 3: Inclusive and Participatory Design
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD70019 |
|
Studio 5: Major Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD80024 |
|
Studio 7: Major Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD80025 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Applied Design Stream | |
|
Studio 2: Design Principles
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD60011 |
|
Studio 4: Open Studio
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD70020 |
|
Studio 6: Design-led Research
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD80026 |
|
Studio 8: Applied Design
Applied Design stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD80027 |
| Design Factory Melbourne Steam (by application) | |
|
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD60030 |
|
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD70031 |
|
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 3
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD80032 |
|
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 4
Design Factory Melbourne stream unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD80033 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$31,840
Total fee* ($AUD)
$63,680
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$39,840.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 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, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
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 Finances
- 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 FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen 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
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
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 2025.
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 is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 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.
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!