Bachelor of Design
Swinburne Online - Online delivery only
Overview
The Bachelor of Design, with a major in Communication Design, focuses on the future of visual communication and its diverse practices.
You’ll gain a deeper involvement with interactive media and learn how to respond confidently to design problems in a commercial environment.
Developed in consultation with industry, this course gives you a broad snapshot of the sector with a diverse range of subjects including: graphic design, advertising, corporate branding, product packaging, publishing, web design and more.
My preference is success
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Skills you’ll learn
- Design fundamentals
- Design techniques
- Packaging design
- Brand and identity design
- Addressing a target market
Your career opportunities
- Design coordinator
- Marketing and design executive
- Graphic and digital designer
- Web designer
- Account manager
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.
Professional recognition
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
5 stars for overall experience
Graduate employers include Ford, Telstra, and Blackmagic Design
Ranked top 20 in Australia for UG full-time employment – 5 stars
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Study with Swinburne Online
With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.
Qualifications
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)
- applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test.
Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 20 in one of Art, Product Design and Technology, Media, Interactive Digital Media C, Studio Arts or Visual Communication Design or equivalent
Do I need to submit a Portfolio?
You must submit a digital portfolio and respond to four design-related questions if:
- You were last enrolled in secondary or post-secondary studies more than five years ago; or
- You are seeking Advanced Standing (unit exemptions) outside of an agreed pathway or articulation agreement; or
- You are applying based on significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test
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 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65%
- or equivalent measures available at English language 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.
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.
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Bachelor of Design
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Bachelor of Media and Communication (Swinburne Online delivered)
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Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (Swinburne Online delivered)
How credit points work
The Bachelor of Design with a major in Communication Design consists of a total of 300 credit points with a 25 credit point Capstone unit in the final semester.
Swinburne Online allows students to adjust their study commitment throughout the duration of their program. Students have the flexibility to study between one and four units per teaching period.
Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Concepts and Narratives
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10001 |
|
Twentieth Century Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10001 |
|
Digital Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10002 |
|
Typography
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10005 |
|
Photography for Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10004 |
|
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20004 |
|
Web Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20004 |
|
Brand and Identity Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20001 |
Your major
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Visual Communication Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10007 |
|
Packaging Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10003 |
|
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20009 |
|
Communication Design Strategy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30048 |
|
Publication Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30013 |
|
Design for Production
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO30002 |
|
Communication Design Capstone Project
Major unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD30047 |
2024 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$8,948
Total fee* ($AUD)
$26,844
2024 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2023 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 Fees (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
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2023 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!
Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.