Master of Design
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
Duration
2 Year/s
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
CRICOS code
088128A
Fees
A$37940 (annual for 2024)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search 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.

Student work
Co-designing the future of cinema
By tapping into the current cinema experience, Swinburne’s Master of Design students are investigating the future of cinema entertainment using co-designing techniques with movie-lovers.
Working with Village Cinemas, students are redesigning cinema entry points, collaborating with dating sites and even creating collectable movie tickets for attendees.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
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.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Master of Design, students must complete 200 credit points comprising:
- 4 Core units (100cps)
- 4 units from either Applied Design Stream or Design Factory Melbourne Stream (100cps).
A unit of study can only be counted once.
Units of study
Applied Design Stream
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- generate high-level concepts and highly refined, detailed design outcomes and/or prototypes to professional standards
- critically evaluate and interpret current and future design practices in relation to social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts
- analyse and synthesise complex conceptual and technical information to inform independent research and apply to design projects
- critique and interpret theoretical propositions and methodologies, using design research principles and communication skills
- implement agile, strategic thinking and evaluative judgement in the design process, including collaboration, experimentation, creative problem-solving and decision-making.

Professional recognition
Upon completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become a member of the Design Institute of Australia, Australian Graphic Design Association or Design Management Institute but should confirm eligibility with the association.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements, special entry requirements and English language requirements.
Course fees
Entry requirements
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.
- 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*.
Special entry requirements
- 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.
English language requirements
Academic entry requirements
- IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above
- Or equivalent measures available at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/international/apply/entry-requirements/
Find out more about English language requirements.
How to apply
Find out more
Tel: +61 3 9214 8444 (outside Australia)