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Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
June

Campus
City West

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
DBVC

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 32,800 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

English Language Requirements

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

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
023813F

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 12-month 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

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as an additional 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 [6.0]
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)

Admission Requirements by Country

Nepal NEB	2.41
Bangladesh HSC	3.5
Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
German Abitur	3.8
Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32
Norway GPA	2.8
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	12.5
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
USA SAT (1600)	1050
India (best 4) State Board	70
India (best 4) Central Board	60
HKDSE	15

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

This program is no longer offered and has been replaced with the Bachelor of Design (Graphic and Communication Design) (DBGC).

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.

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
Design, Culture and Society 1	GRAP 1023	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication Design Studio 1	GRAP 1020	9
Design, Culture and Society 2	GRAP 2030	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
Type as Visual Language	GRAP 2027	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication Design Studio 3	GRAP 2008	9
Package Design	GRAP 2017	4.5
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3,4
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Communication Design Studio 4	GRAP 3006	9
Design for Web	GRAP 2020	4.5
Design Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2,3,4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Practice Studio	GRAP 3007	9
Critical Design Practice	GRAP 2022	4.5
Undergraduate Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,3,4

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
Etching and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2057	4.5
Relief and Alternative Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Match Studio Projects	ARCH 2027	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Commercial and Professional Photography	GRAP 2024	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
Professional Development in Marketing	MARK 1015	4.5
Digital Marketing	MARK 3016	4.5
Design for Digital Technologies	COMM 2080	4.5
UO Design for Digital Technologies	COMM 2087	4.5

Rules & notes

Notes

1. Students can select any undergraduate 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 three 4.5 unit design electives. These 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. Design elective courses are listed below. 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 UniSA Creative Negotiated Study (VSAR 2038).

4. Students should review the prerequisite requirements of their Design elective courses before enrolling and plan the completion of their electives in sequence if required.

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.