Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February

Campus
City West

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DBVC

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 21,500 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2014

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
023813F

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to have:

Completed the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE); and

completed 200 credits of subjects;
achieved a grade of C* or better in the Personal Learning Plan, 20 credits of literacy, 10 credits of numeracy and the Research Project at Stage 2;
achieved a grade C- or better in an additional 60 credits at Stage 2;
obtained a competitive ATAR.

* For Stage 2 subjects a grade of C- or better is required

OR:

completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV level or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed the University Foundation Studies program.

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

Admission Requirements by Country

Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
Norway GPA	3
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	13
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6
USA SAT (2400)	1500
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
Nepal HSEB	60
HKDSE	16
Bangladesh HSC	3.5
German Abitur	3.3
India (best 4)	60
Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) Degree qualifies individuals who are equipped with the creative, intellectual, technical and professional skills to function as reflective, socially responsive practitioners in the field of visual communication design.

Content & Structure

Graduates of a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) degree will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge to address both the intellectual and practical aspects of design, enabling students to function as reflective practitioners in the field of contemporary visual communication design who are able to contribute to the cultural and social life of the wider community.

The students will complete 108 units of study with Year 1 of study establishing basic skills and concepts in design and theoretical framework, and Year 2 of study developing competence in core subject areas and Year 3 expanding on the intellectual and professional areas of the program. Students major in either Graphic Design or Illustration Design.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR (level 1)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Design Foundation Studio	GRAP 1017	9
Introductory Drawing for Design	GRAP 1019	4.5
Reading Visual Culture: Design History and Theory	VSAR 1102	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Major Design Studio 1	GRAP 1020	9
Design, Culture and Society 1	GRAP 1023	4.5
Computer Graphics and Imaging for Design	GRAP 1018	4.5
SECOND YEAR (Level 2)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Graphic Design Studio 2	GRAP 2007	9
OR
Illustration Design Studio 2	GRAP 2009	9
Computer Practice and Communication for Design	GRAP 2011	4.5
Design, Culture and Society 2	GRAP 2030	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Graphic Design Studio 3	GRAP 2008	9
OR
Illustration Design Studio 3	GRAP 2010	9
Indigenous Art, Culture and Design	VSAR 3017	4.5
Design for Multimedia and Web	GRAP 2020	4.5
THIRD YEAR (Level 3)
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Major Design Studio 4	GRAP 3006	9
Visual Communication Design Theory Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,4
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Studio and Practice	GRAP 3007	9
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Design Electives: Graphic Design
Printmaking Image and Text	VSAR 2057	4.5
Package Design	GRAP 2017	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Multimedia Design	GRAP 2021	4.5
Typography	GRAP 2027	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Design Electives: Illustration Design
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Printmaking Image and Text	VSAR 2057	4.5
Relief and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Visual Communication Design Theory Electives
Arts Writing	VSAR 2042	4.5
Critical Practice: Graphics and Illustration	GRAP 2022	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. A student must normally complete the program within three years of fulltime study (or its equivalent of part-time study) from the date of their initial enrolment, not including any period of approved leave or enforced suspension.

2. Students progress through the three years of the program by levels: Level 1 (first year) Level 2 (second year) Level 3 (third year).

3. Students must successfully complete level 1 before undertaking courses at level 2. Similarly, students must successfully complete level 2 before undertaking courses at level 3. With the permission of the Program Director, students may carry one course failure from level 1 to level 2 and one course failure from level 2 to level 3.

4. Students complete a professional major of 36 units in Graphic Design or Illustration Design.

Notes

1. All students complete at least one Free Elective as part of their undergraduate program of study. See undergraduate elective courses.

2. Students must complete a total of 13.5 units of program electives made up of 2 x 4.5 unit Design Electives, plus 1 x 4.5 unit Visual Communication Design Theory Elective. These program electives are designed to expand the intellectual and professional capabilities of the students in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional academic interest. Courses are listed above. Not every course will be offered every year.

3. Students are required to complete 9 units of Design Elective courses from across the School. A selection of electives will be offered each year, depending on staff availability and student demand. Suites of courses are recommended as electives for the two professional majors in the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication): Graphic Design and Illustration Design. These courses are listed above.

4. The Visual Communication Design Theory Elective is chosen from a specified list of courses, listed above.

5. Students who wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available from the elective courses offered in any one study period may choose either a research or project-based directed study elective: VSAR 2038 AAD Negotiated Study 1, VSAR 2039 AAD Negotiated Study 2, VSAR 2040 AAD Negotiated Study 3.