Overview

Design has the power to shape our understanding of the world and our experience within it. Our Bachelor of Design will arm you with broad design skills in typography, brand and identity design, and more. Make your degree custom-fit by choosing a future-focused major. Emerge ready to transform lives and empower society towards a brighter (and even more beautiful) future.

Check the Bachelor of Design course handbook
Course prerequisites have changed

The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.

Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

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Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. 

This degree includes a capstone project which could see you working with places like City of Melbourne, and more.

Learn more Work Integrated Learning

Skills you’ll learn

  • Creative visual problem solving
  • Digital prototyping 
  • Concept development 
  • Idea generation
  • Digital design skills

Your career opportunities

  • Communications designer
  • Motion designer
  • Photographer 
  • User experience designer
  • Design consultant

Key codes

CRICOS course code
088395D
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210713
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210711
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 Swinburne?

Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

5 stars for overall experience

#1 in Melbourne for graduate found full-time employment 4 months after completing their degree 

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out

Michael's Next Gen Story

Michael's Next Gen_ Story

It’s this piece of paper – a Swinburne Bachelor of Design Communications - that has enabled Michael to successfully kick off his career. Now working at a Melbourne advertising agency, a Swinburne degree gives graduates, like Michael, real industry experience to prepare them for the workforce. Michael got more than a piece of paper.

Qualifications

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.

Students who:

a) were last enrolled in secondary or post-secondary studies more than five years ago; or

b) are seeking Advanced Standing (unit exemptions) outside of an agreed pathway or articulation agreement; or

c) are applying based on significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test; must submit a Digital Portfolio and respond to four design-related questions.

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

70.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

62.85

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Course prerequisites

These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
  • 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

  • International students must successfully complete any subject in art, design or media equivalent to Year 12.
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.

Visit course handbook

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.

Book your Pearson Test of English

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.

Learn more about credit

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.

Learn more about RPL

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Learn more about pathways
Add your major

Add your major for a more personalised experience.

Add major

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

8
Core units
+
7
Major units
+
8
Elective units
=
3-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Concepts and Narratives
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10001
Digital Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10002
Typography
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10005
Twentieth Century Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10001
Photography for Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO10004
Web Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO20004
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20004
Brand and Identity Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO20001
Design for Production
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DCO30002
Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - Major (12 months)
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
or
Professional placement - Minor (6 months)
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

View course handbook

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Total fee* ($AUD)

$27,942

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$41,240.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

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?

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. 

Find out more about fees

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.
Learn more about paying your fees

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.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

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

Learn more about SSAF

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Learn more about scholarships

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

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
BA-DES
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
BA-DES
Apply directly
Course code
BA-DES
CRICOS code
088395D
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.

Applying through Early Entry Program?

If you are applying through the EEP Program you will need a special code to apply.

Find out more
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210711
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210713
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024
  • "Throughout my degree, I worked on a variety of exciting design projects that helped me build my portfolio. For one of these projects, I won an Adobe Design Achievement Award. Swinburne allowed me to develop my self-confidence and gave me the courage to be heard and seen."

    Anar , Bachelor of Design - Communication Design major