Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
June

Campus
City West

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
DBVC

SATAC Code
424151 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 60.55 (for 2020)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 70.00 (for 2021)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) degree develops creative, intellectual, technical and professional knowledge and skills and qualifies individuals to operate as reflective and responsive practitioners in communication design.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts that serve as a basis for reflective practice in communication design, and who are able to design with intent to inspire, inform and motivate, contributing to the cultural and social life of the wider community.

Students will develop a creative and exploratory approach to communication design problems through the integration of research and practice; cognitive and collaborative skills to identify, interpret and analyse a design problem and demonstrate creative and critical thinking in the development of design outcomes and responses; with the capacity to develop designs that respond to both local and global contexts and issues.

Students will complete 108 units of study. Year 1 establishes foundation skills and concepts in communication design practice and theoretical frameworks, including the observation, analysis, interaction and application of form, typography, image design and content with practice skills and technology. Year 2 develops competence and fluency in visual literacy, core subject areas and design in context. Year 3 expands on design challenges through the intellectual and professional areas of the program.

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)
Design Foundation Studio	GRAP 1017	9
Introductory Drawing for Design	GRAP 1019	4.5
Visual Argument and Design Culture	VSAR 1102	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication Design Studio 1	GRAP 1020	9
Design, Culture and Society 1	GRAP 1023	4.5
Computer Graphics and Imaging for Design	GRAP 1018	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Communication Design Studio 2	GRAP 2007	9
Design for Publication	GRAP 2011	4.5
Design, Culture and Society 2	GRAP 2030	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication Design Studio 3	GRAP 2008	9
Typography: Design for Reading	GRAP 2027	4.5
Design for Web	GRAP 2020	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Communication Design Studio 4	GRAP 3006	9
Critical Design Practice	GRAP 2022	4.5
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Practice Studio	GRAP 3007	9
Advanced Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,3

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Design Electives
Consumer Behaviour	MARK 1008	4.5
Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange	MARK 1010	4.5
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	4.5
Relief Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Professional Development in Marketing	MARK 1015	4.5
Advanced Design Electives
Digital Marketing	MARK 3016	4.5
Transdisciplinary Projects	GRAP 3013	4.5
Match Studio Projects	ARCH 2027	4.5
Package Design	GRAP 2017	4.5
Type, Image, Motion	GRAP 2021	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Human-Centred Design: Research and Analysis	GRAP 2031	4.5
Etching and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2057	4.5

Rules & notes

Notes

1. Students can select any elective across the university depending on availability. Students are encouraged to select electives to best support their final portfolio. See undergraduate elective courses.

2. Students must complete a total of 9 units of program electives made up of one 4.5 unit Design Electives and one 4.5 unit Advanced Design Elective. These program electives are designed to expand the intellectual and professional capabilities of the students in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional academic interest. Elective courses are listed above. Not every course will be offered every year.

3. Students who wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available from the elective courses offered in any one study period may choose either a research or project-based directed study elective through an AAD Negotiated Study.

Professional accreditation and recognition

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.