Study Master of Design (Sustainable Design) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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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 Master of Architecture 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.

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: architecture; interior architecture; industrial design; furniture design; planning and urban design; contemporary art.

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Degree overview

Gain advanced design and research skills as they relate to emerging materials, new technologies and sustainability.
Learn in our custom-built campus workshops and studios.
Work on real-life projects, gaining valuable practical experience.
Use this qualification as a pathway to further study, including PhD studies.
Benefit from our networks and relationships with industry, government, and community – locally, nationally and internationally.
UniSA is Top 5 in Australia for Art and Design facilities¹.
Learn from teachers who are established designers with strong links to industry.
Be taught by world-class leaders in research – UniSA's research in design is ranked world-class².
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities³, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

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.

Snapshot

This hands-on postgraduate qualification will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable design thinking as it relates to the changing world of design.

You will study a balance of sustainable design theory and practical design application, ensuring you build on your previously acquired knowledge and skill set.

Guided by your undergraduate training, you will have opportunities to explore emerging materials and new technologies, learn about Indigenous Knowledges and refine craft and design skills. 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.

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed a Master of Architecture 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.

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

What you'll learn

Sustainability, emerging materials, new technologies and research are key focal points of this degree.

You will also study:

sustainable design theory and practice
social, cultural, economic, and technological advancements and their impact on sustainable design
research methodologies.

Your first year will comprise multi-disciplinary design studio classes, professional client guided projects through Match Studio, sustainable design subjects, advanced research methods, and business practices.

Degree structure

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): 1,2
Research Methods (Creative)	CREA 4004	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Nature, Culture and Sustainability	ARCH 6005	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Research Studio 2	GRAP 5006	9		Rule(s): 1,2
Principles of Sustainable Design	ARCH 6006	4.5
Business Practice for Artists and Designers	VSAR 5006	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
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	Note(s): 1,2	Rule(s): 1,2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Masters Project 2	GRAP 6002	9
Masters Project Report 2	ARCH 5037	4.5
Consumer Culture, Technology and Sustainable Design	ARCH 6001	4.5		Rule(s): 1,2

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Electives
Communication Contexts	COMM 5004	4.5
Campaigns and Crises	COMM 5005	4.5
Planning and Professional Ethics	ARCH 3016	4.5
Sustainable Urban Design	ARCH 5013	4.5
Energy Management for Sustainability	MFET 5029	4.5
Design, Production, Presentation	VSAR 5005	4.5
Entrepreneurial Foundations	BUSS 5298	4.5
Entrepreneurial Commercialisation	BUSS 5299	4.5
Global Business Environment	BUSS 5300	4.5
Aboriginal Futures	SOCU 5010	4.5
Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing	SOCU 5011	4.5
Indigenous Perspectives on Globalisation	SOCU 5012	4.5
Law and Land	SOCU 5013	4.5
Professional Placement or Project	GRAP 5004	4.5
Construction on Site: Advanced	BUIL 5041	4.5
Construction in the Workshop: Advanced	BUIL 5040	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 Master of Architecture 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. Students who have completed ARCH 6005 Nature, Culture and Sustainability or ARCH 6006 Principles of Sustainable Design during their Master of Architecture will need to discuss their study plan with the Program Director.

2. 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.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

research proposals
projects
literature/artefact reviews
seminar papers
essays and assignments

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Master of Design (Sustainable Design)

This industry relevant postgraduate qualification equips you with sustainable design knowledge – and with a strong focus on sustainable design theory, emerging technologies, and new materials you will graduate industry-ready.

As a design student at UniSA you will practice your skills in our custom-built, world-class design studios and five floors of impressive workshops that boast digital fabrication equipment such as:

laser cutters
water-jet cutters
CNC routers
3D printers
industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems

You will also benefit from our strong industry links when you embark on industry placements and award-winning teaching staff.

Our teaching staff have extensive professional design experience, so the curriculum is industry-relevant and mostly practical in nature. You will also work alongside world-class researchers in design¹.

We are also 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.

¹Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

Real-world connections

Our teaching staff are highly trained industry professionals who bring with them years of experience. They have strong industry links and many holds professional positions with national and international organisations. For you, this means links to industry and the opportunity to build important networks. We also have well over 2,500 University-wide national and international industry partnerships – providing further opportunities for you to build important industry relationships.

UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Career outcomes

Your career

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with strong growth in employment expected in Australia¹.

This degree allows graduates to augment their existing qualifications and career paths to include a sustainable design perspective. This has relevance to both the government agencies and private sector industries. Graduates find work across a variety of industries and employment sectors, including:

construction
planning and development
renewable industries
government
design research
design management
education

¹Australian Government, Job Outlook 2020

Industry facts

Employment for architects, designers, planners and surveyors in Australia is projected to increase by 17,500 (14.7 per cent) by November 2020¹.

¹Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015

Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has surpassed 700 certifications and registrations under the Green Star – Performance rating tool¹.

¹Green Building Council Australia 2017

Green Star rated buildings use 66 per cent less electricity than average buildings; produce 62 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions; use 51 per cent less potable water and recycle 96 per cent of their waste¹.

¹http://new.gbca.org.au/news/gbca-news/green-star-shines-new-cbre-report/

UniStart - your 100% online pathway to a degree

Just starting out on your university journey, don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, or want to refresh your study skills? Set yourself up for success and pave the way to a degree with UniStart, UniSA Online’s six-month pathway program launching in 2025.

Apply now

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

Graduate Diploma in Design
Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline

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.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

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.

More scholarships

Scholarship for student leadership

Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.

Learn more

International travel grants

Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

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.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

As a design student you will have access to:

custom-built on-campus design studios and workshops
the South Australian School of Art Gallery
the University library’s collection of art, craft, and design resource materials, which is the largest in the state

Your program director

I’m passionate about increasing awareness of Indigenous knowledges and providing expansive opportunities for students to engage in the educational process.

Mr Peter Walker

Program Director

Enquire

Mr Peter Walker

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

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.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

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.

Postgraduate

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.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

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.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

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.

More FAQs

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.

Grad Diploma in Design (Design and Construct)

Students building the UniSA Mobile Art, Architecture and Design Studio (MAADS).

Graduate Diploma in Design (Design and Construct)

Students building the UniSA Mobile Art, Architecture and Design Studio (MAADS).

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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.