Master of Design (Visual Communication)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DMSP

Fees
AUD$ 26,800 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2016

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.5]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
071952G

Entry requirements
Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma in a related design discipline. Related design disciplines include visual communication design, graphic design, graphic communication, communication design and illustration design.
English language entry requirements
In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.
English language test
- IELTS total [6.5]
- IELTS reading [6.0]
- IELTS writing [6.0]
Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

To apply for the next intake, please see the Master of Design (Communication Design).

Aim

The Master of Design (Specialisation) aims to graduate students into the practice of design who demonstrate professional design, communication, project management and research skills in response to the increasing demands and complexities of design practice in contemporary contexts, relative to specialisation.

Content & Structure

The Master of Design (Specialisation) is a two year full-time or part-time equivalent program comprising professional studies in the field of design, relevant to specialisation. Specialisations available: Industrial Design; Visual Communication.

Year 1 develops competence in core course streams and broadens awareness and develops specialisation through electives and internships. Year 2 expands the intellectual and professional areas of the program and provides scope for research related to complex individual design projects.

The program requires the completion of courses comprising 72 units.

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

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Design Research Studio 1	GRAP 5005	9
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,4
Design Internship	GRAP 5004	4.5	Note(s): 2
or
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Design Internship	GRAP 5004	4.5
AAD Research Methods	VSAR 4003	4.5
or
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,3
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Design Research Studio 3	GRAP 6001	9
LLS Honours Research 2	ARCH 4014	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Design Research Studio 4	GRAP 6002	9
Elective		4.5
Masters Project Report 2	ARCH 5037	4.5
or
Masters Elective		4.5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Electives
Branding	MARK 5031	4.5
Advertising Management	BUSS 5210	4.5
Communication in the Global Context	COMM 5006	4.5
Creative Writing for the Media	COMM 5020	4.5
Advanced Human Computer Interaction	COMP 4026	4.5
Global Business Environment	BUSS 5300	4.5
Consumer Culture, Technology and Sustainable Design	ARCH 6001	4.5
Introduction to Sustainable Design	ARCH 6005	4.5
Principles of Sustainable Design	ARCH 6006	4.5
Advertising: Planning and Buying Media	MARK 5079	4.5
e-Marketing	MARK 5080	4.5
Advertising: Theory and Practice	MARK 5024	4.5
Marketing Management	MARK 5025	4.5
Business focused electives
Arts Environment	BUSS 5218	4.5
Entrepreneurial Foundations	BUSS 5298	4.5
Entrepreneurial Commercialisation	BUSS 5299	4.5
Entrepreneurial Planning G	BUSS 5315	4.5
Strategic Concepts	BUSS 5074	4.5
Business Practice for Artists and Designers	VSAR 5006	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Within a particular year students may choose to vary the sequence of study, except where there are prerequisites for courses, but are not permitted to take two Masters Design Studios concurrently.

Notes

1. 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 enrolled in the Master of Design (Specialisation) select 4 electives from the electives lists specified above. At least one elective must be selected from the listed Business focused electives. Students may choose to enrol in alternative Business practice electives with approval from their Program Director.

2. Students may elect to enrol in Design Internship in either the first or second half of first year.

3. In Year 2 students elect to enrol in ARCH 5037 Masters Project Report 2 or a Masters Elective that integrates with and extends their Masters major project, in negotiation with their Program Director.

4. 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 either a research or project based individual elective with the approval of the Program Director.