Master of Design (Industrial Design)
Postgraduate
2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Postgraduate
2025
On-campus
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: industrial design; product innovation; product design; furniture design.
1Ranked #3, ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Creative Arts – Learning Resources Indicator (Postgraduate). Public universities.
2Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
This hands-on postgraduate qualification will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the innovative, changing world of design. You will study emerging trends and technologies, contemporary design issues, design thinking methodologies, qualitative research practices and sustainability.
This degree explores the intricacies of product design, further building on your existing knowledge and skill set. You will develop the tools and techniques to investigate and analyse human centred design problems and develop techniques to manage complex design projects. You will also develop knowledge and skills in design thinking principles and practices as they are applied to industrial design projects. Emerging materials and processing technologies will be covered, as will manufacturing, technical skills and 3D design.
Much of your study will take place in our custom-built workshops that are fitted out with digital fabrication equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers, as well as industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems.
In addition to these fundamental practical skills, a key part of your learning will relate to advanced research skills and you will graduate with the cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research.
You may also complete an industry placement as part of your studies.
Advanced Standing
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in the same specific discipline may be 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 submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.
2 years- SATAC CODE 4CM131
1 year- SATAC CODE 4CM208
Human-centred research and design thinking processes, as applied to industrial design problems, are the core of your experience. You’ll use various techniques to investigate design problems, come to a deep understanding of the context, and then develop and implement innovative and appropriate solutions for the problem. Emerging materials, processing technologies and sustainability are also key focuses, and you will develop an advanced understanding of product design and graduate with the ability to develop and design:
You will also acquire:
This degree comprises design research studio classes, research methods and a selection of electives.
This industry-relevant postgraduate qualification will give you with a competitive advantage when seeking professional employment.
As a design student, you will practice your skills in our world-class design studios and workshops that boast digital fabrication equipment such as:
You will also benefit from:
Our teaching staff are professional designers, so the curriculum is industry-relevant and mostly practical in nature. You will also work alongside world-class researchers in design1.
We are fast becoming a renowned centre of innovation and enterprise in the sectors that will drive Australia's future, including smart manufacturing. It’s a very good time to choose UniSA for your postgraduate study.
The Program works closely with real-world companies to provide students with hands-on industry-relevant projects work. As an example, we are currently working with Beam Micromobility on future mobilty solutions.
1 Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Job prospects in this field are looking good, with strong growth prospects in the sector1.
Careers to consider:
1Australian Government, Job Outlook 2020
Graduates of this program are eligible for Graduate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia. Graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice.
Applying to study with us:
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
This degree is part of a nested suite of degrees, which means you may be able to exit early and graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Design.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
As a design student you will have access to:
I’m passionate about increasing awareness of Indigenous knowledges and providing expansive opportunities for students to engage in the educational process.
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
Hear from David Gordon about workshop here at The University of South Australia's City West campus. The workshop gives students the equipment and plenty of space to work through the entire development process from concept, development to production giving them hands on experience with the machinery and materials.
Leading academics talk about art, architecture and design at the University of South Australia.
Students building the UniSA Mobile Art, Architecture and Design Studio (MAADS)
University of South Australia industrial design students Harry Dinnen, Alec Taverner, Luke Johnson and Finn Woodhouse have developed a range of sustainable furniture, including fences, bottle chandelier, seats and tables, for UniSA to have on display at WOMADelaide.
Make it Better 2016 is a celebration of the work done by Master of Design (Industrial Design) and Graduate Diploma in Design (Industrial Design) graduates.