Bachelor of Design (Product Design)
Undergraduate
2025
You're considered an International student if you are:
Undergraduate
2025
071953G
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
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
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
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 |
Nepal NEB | 2.41 |
1Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
2UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
This practical degree will equip you with the skills needed to design and create products that people use every day, such as electronic devices, domestic appliances, homewares, medical devices, sports equipment, user experiences and interfaces, furniture, mobility solutions and more.
Product designers need to consider human factors, usability, aesthetics, manufacturing technologies, materials and environmental sustainability in their designs, and this comprehensive, practical degree will have you doing just that. During your studies, you will develop fundamental practical skills through design studio classes, model-making and prototyping.
You will learn in our dedicated studios and state-of-the-art workshops fitted with digital fabrication equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers, and virtual reality systems. You can practice skills learned in real-world workplaces when you complete professional placements as part of your study. There is also the opportunity for you to complete some of your studies overseas.
There is a lot of ground to cover in this degree, starting with a fundamental understanding of the elements and principles of design. Much of this study takes place in the purpose-built design studios located on-campus. You will study basic skills and concepts relating to areas such as sketching and visualisation techniques; design history and theory; human centred design; computer-aided design; and creativity. During your second year you will broaden your knowledge, covering topics such as:
In your third year there will be a focus on design for usability, user experience, high volume manufacturing and sustainability, and you will be able to select a range of electives to tailor your study to your individual interests.
This degree enables you to practice the skills needed for a successful product and industrial design career. Our dedicated design studios and workshops boast digital and analogue equipment enabling students to build their own prototypes, such as:
A large portion of your practical learning will take place in these areas, and Design Studio courses make up a large part of the degree’s curriculum. In these courses, you will design objects and products such as domestic appliances, musical instruments, mobility solutions and furniture. In addition to the on-campus practical experience, you will also benefit from industry placements and our strong industry links. There may also be the opportunity to participate in international and national study tours, competitions and exhibitions.
Job prospects in this field are looking good, with very strong growth in employment expected nationally1. You can increase your employment prospects when you continue your studies with a Master of Design, specialising in Industrial Design.
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.
How to apply for international students will give you helpful information about the application process at the University of South Australia. When you are ready, apply through our International Application System. If you would like to talk to someone near you about studying at the University of South Australia, we have agents all over the world who can assist you. Find an Education Agent in your country.
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
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.
Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.
Recipients can get a 15% reduction on tuition fees for the duration of their chosen degree.
As a UniSA student, you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.
Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. You will also gain access to a range of community clinics, which provide professional and cost effective services in areas of health, business, law and psychology. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and lots more.
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:
Dan McLean is the Program Director of Design, Product Design at the University of South Australia. Dan has worked professionally on Industrial Design projects in fields including consumer electronics, automotive and food and beverage packaging. He has worked in Australia and internationally as a professional Industrial Designer and has extensive design teaching experience, specifically in Design Studio courses, Human Centred Design, Design Drawing and 3D Visualisation.
Dan’s areas of expertise include product styling, branding, human factors, human centred design and design for manufacture.
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.
Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.
If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.
If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.
If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.
You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.
The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.
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.
Hear from Liam as he shares his experiences studying at UniSA and his journey as a Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) student.
Justin De Blasio
Anthony Franze
Emily Brown
Harriet Culbertson
Michael DiMonte
Luke Frahn
Emile Kobayashi
Nick Jolly - bathroom vanity
Henry Shaw