Graduate Diploma in Design (Design and Construct)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DGSP

SATAC Code
4GD102 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline.

Alternative Entry

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated discipline, plus two years of professional experience in a related discipline, or applicants who do not have a completed degree but who have five years of professional experience in a related discipline will also be considered.

All applicants must submit a portfolio comprising a digital portfolio, curriculum vitae, statement of qualifications and a statement of intent. More information can be found here.

In addition to the portfolio, students who are submitting an application for the program via Alternative Entry without a completed Bachelor degree are also required to submit a letter of recommendation, of no more than one page in length, from a professional referee.

Related design disciplines include:
- Communication Design: visual communication design; graphic design; graphic communication; communication design.
- Contemporary Art : visual art; contemporary art; illustration and animation.
- Design and Construct: architecture; planning and urban design.
- Industrial Design: industrial design; product innovation; product design; furniture design.
- Interior Architecture: interior architecture; interior design; furniture design; architecture.
- Sustainable Design: architecture; interior architecture; industrial design; furniture design; planning and urban design; contemporary art.
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Aim

The Graduate Diploma in Design (Design and Construct) qualifies individuals who apply a body of knowledge and experience of the integral relationship between architectural design and building construction to undertake highly skilled work, and as a pathway for further learning.

Content & Structure

Students of the Graduate Diploma in Design (Design and Construct) will develop an advanced systematic and coherent body of knowledge in the principles and concepts required through various stages of a building project, from its design and documentation through to its construction and beyond.

Students will develop cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and propose solutions to a range of complex design and construction challenges and communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.

The students will complete 36 units of study comprising 18 units of research studio, 4.5 units of research methods, 4.5 units of business practices, 4.5 units of sustainability and 4.5 units of electives.

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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
Research Methods (Creative)	CREA 4004	4.5
Nature, Culture and Sustainability	ARCH 6005	4.5	Note(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Research Studio 2	GRAP 5006	9
Business Practice for Artists and Designers	VSAR 5006	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,2

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Electives
Sustainable Urban Design	ARCH 5013	4.5
Energy Management for Sustainability	MFET 5029	4.5
Entrepreneurial Foundations	BUSS 5298	4.5
Entrepreneurial Commercialisation	BUSS 5299	4.5
Aboriginal Futures	SOCU 5010	4.5
Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing	SOCU 5011	4.5
Law and Land	SOCU 5013	4.5
Consumer Culture, Technology and Sustainable Design	ARCH 6001	4.5
Principles of Sustainable Design	ARCH 6006	4.5
Professional Placement or Project	GRAP 5004	4.5

Rules & notes

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.

4. Students who have not completed an appropriate CAD course in their undergraduate qualification will need to discuss their study plan with the Program Director.