Bachelor of Design
Majoring in Branded Environments
70.0
Choose your major
Branded Environments
Transform spaces into multi-sensory experiences. Drive deep connections to brands. Put your sensory design superpowers to use in our Branded Environments major.
Communication Design
Develop your design-thinking capabilities with our Communication Design major. Learn how to respond to challenging design briefs and generate ideas with confidence. Plus, build your folio as you go.
Motion Design
In our Motion Design major, you'll learn how to design and produce motion content for every conceivable media platform – from sky-scraping digital billboards to discreet wearable devices.
Photomedia
Prepare yourself for practice as a visual artist or photographer with our Photomedia major. Develop your conceptual and technical skills to create sophisticated campaigns and publications.
UX Interaction Design
Gain skills in user-centred design research, visual design theory and design-led thinking in order to create seamless user experiences in our UX Interaction Design major.
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.
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference?
Start with your guide on all things VTAC and get more for your ATAR.
Your major
Take a brand’s identity beyond the visual, and translate it into three dimensions and five senses. Our Branded Environments major is a multidisciplinary course that integrates branding, communication design, interior architecture, technology, and environmental and experience design principles to create sensory journeys. In doing all of that, you'll become an indispensable asset to brands and architects alike.
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.
Skills you’ll learn
- Spaces of influence
- Connecting people to place
- Designing focused branded environments
- Developing spatial narratives
- Creating wayfinding
Your career opportunities
- Exhibition designer
- Visual merchandiser
- Interior designer
- Set designer
- Communications designer
- Communications researcher
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.
Why Swinburne?
Top 100 for art and design
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
Qualifications
One of the following:
- 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 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.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Course prerequisites
VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional 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 applicants applying for this course through Swinburne Online must submit a portfolio of work.
- 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. 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.
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.
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.
-
Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Interior Design
18 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
6 months full-time, 15-16 units max credit
-
Diploma of Graphic Design
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time, 8 units max credit
-
Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
6 months full-time, 12 units max credit
-
Diploma of Visual Merchandising
1 year full-time, 8 units max credit
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.
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.
What your course could look like
Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
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 |
|
20th Century Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10001 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Photography for Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO10004 |
|
Web Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20004 |
|
Introductory Design Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10006 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20004 |
|
Interior Architecture Communication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DIA10005 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Brand and Identity Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DCO20001 |
|
Exhibition Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20003 |
|
Branded Environment Design Studio 1
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DBE20001 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Industry Placement 1
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
DES30061 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Industry Placement 2
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
DES30062 |
| or | |
| Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Industry Placement 1
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
DES30061 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Innovation and Technology in the Branded Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DBE30001 |
|
Branded Environment Design Studio 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DBE30003 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Branded Environment Capstone
Major unit, 25.0 credit points |
DBE30004 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
2023 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$8,301
Total fee* ($AUD)
$24,903
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$38,160
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. 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)
$351
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$351
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.
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.
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.
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.