Master of Design (Communication Design)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DMSP

SATAC Code
4CM131 (Internal)
4CM208 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

Successful completion of a Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Design from the University of South Australia are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study, and are not required to submit a portfolio of work and statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Related design disciplines include: visual communication design; graphic design; graphic communication; communication design.

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Aim

The Master of Design (Communication Design) qualifies individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge and specialist theoretical framework in professional design, communication, project management and research skills in response to the increasing demands and complexities of design practice in contemporary contexts, relative to communication design and its application for professional practice or scholarship, and as a pathway for further learning.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Master of Design (Communication Design) will have a body of knowledge of the principles and practices of communication design to critically evaluate, identify, and develop progressive approaches to designing communications that extend beyond the visual for changing socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts. Graduates will also have knowledge of research methods and principles applicable to communication design and its application.

Graduates will have advanced cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and propose solutions to a range of complex communication design challenges. Graduates will have developed verbal and written communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts applicable to communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas about design problems and responses to a variety of audiences. Graduates will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through a substantial research-based design practice project to demonstrate independent judgements and propositions relative to the effect and contribution of communication design practices in a range of settings.

The students will complete 72 units of study comprising 18 units of research studio, 18 units of project, 9 units of project report 4.5 units of research methods, 4.5 units of business practices, 4.5 units of sustainability and 13.5 units of electives.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research Studio 1	GRAP 5005	9		Rule(s): 1
Research Methods (Creative)	CREA 4004	4.5		Rule(s): 1
Nature, Culture and Sustainability	ARCH 6005	4.5		Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Research Studio 2	GRAP 5006	9		Rule(s): 1
Business Practice for Artists and Designers	VSAR 5006	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,2	Rule(s): 1
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Masters Project 1	GRAP 6001	9
Masters Project Report 1	ARCH 5036	4.5
Elective		4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Masters Project 2	GRAP 6002	9
Masters Project Report 2	ARCH 5037	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,2	Rule(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Electives
Advertising: Theory and Practice	MARK 5024	4.5
Marketing Management	MARK 5025	4.5
Arts Environment	BUSS 5218	4.5
Communication Contexts	COMM 5004	4.5
Campaigns and Crises	COMM 5005	4.5
Brand Management	MARK 5031	4.5
Design, Production, Presentation	VSAR 5005	4.5
Entrepreneurial Foundations	BUSS 5298	4.5
Entrepreneurial Commercialisation	BUSS 5299	4.5
Consumer Culture, Technology and Sustainable Design	ARCH 6001	4.5
Principles of Sustainable Design	ARCH 6006	4.5
Advertising: Planning and Buying Media	MARK 5079	4.5
eMarketing	MARK 5080	4.5
Professional Placement or Project	GRAP 5004	4.5
Social Media Management	COMM 5069	4.5
Managing Digital Design	COMM 5068	4.5
Communication and Media: Advanced	COMM 4005	4.5
Industry 4.0 and Society	COMM 4006	4.5
Digital Entrepreneurship	COMM 4004	4.5
Content Creation	COMM 5084	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study.

Notes

1. Electives are selected from those listed above. Electives are designed to extend and expand students' intellectual and professional abilities in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional and academic interest. A selection of electives will be offered each year, depending on staff availability and student demand. Students may choose to enrol in alternative electives with approval from their Program Director.

2. Students who have a Grade Point Average of 4.5 or more and wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available in the electives offered in any one study period may choose a research or project based individual elective with the approval of the Program Director.

3. This program forms part of a nested suite of programs consisting of 72 units as follows: Graduate Diploma in Design comprising 36 units; Master of Design comprising a further 36 units.