Study Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
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2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
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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.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

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
An international packaged offer is available for international students wishing to graduate with the Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation) and the TAFESA Diploma of Screen and Media.
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
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Degree overview

Study the only degree of its kind in Australia - UniSA is the only university to offer a degree specifically in illustration and animation.
Gain the technical and theoretical skills required to be a visual storyteller.
Study drawing, software and studio practices throughout your studies.
Learn in our custom-built on-campus workshops.
Work on real-life projects, gaining valuable practical experience.
Benefit from our networks and relationships with the design and animation industries – locally, nationally and internationally.
Learn from teachers who are practising professionals with strong links to industry.
Be taught by world-class leaders in research – UniSA's research in illustration and animation is ranked world class².
Study at a university that developed the first Bachelor of Design degree in the world.
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.

¹Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
²UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

This unique degree will equip you with the skills needed to kick-start your rewarding career in the creative and innovative world of illustration and animation.

You will learn a broad range of techniques needed to produce industry-standard pictures for industries such as:

book and comic publishing
gaming
movies
advertising
2D, 3D and Stop Motion animation
animation
design

You will also become skilled in free-hand drawing, develop knowledge of digital software for moving and static pictures, and work in on-campus workshops that are fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment.

During your final year you will be given the opportunity to practice your skills when you undertake an industry internship, mentorship, collaborative project or free elective.

What you'll learn

Explore everything from the history of hand-drawn narrative to digital technologies that are now pivotal to this creative industry.

You will cover topics such as:

drawing
painting
illustration design and production
digital compositing
animation design
visual effects
communication design
computer graphics and imaging
maquette and scene building
storyboarding

You will also develop an understanding of current trends, technologies and professional practices, ensuring you graduate industry-ready.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Illustration Animation Studio 1	GRAP 1029	9
Introductory Drawing for Design	GRAP 1019	4.5
Creative Thinking Methods	GRAP 2019	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Illustration Animation Studio 2	GRAP 2009	9
Computer Graphics and Imaging for Design	GRAP 1018	4.5
Introduction to CGI	COMM 1067	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Cinematic Design	INFT 1019	4.5
Character, Prop and Scene Development	GRAP 2038	4.5
Animation Design	GRAP 2028	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Dynamic Effects	COMM 3068	4.5
Illustration Animation Studio 3	GRAP 2010	9
Character Performance	COMM 2083	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Illustration Animation Studio 4	GRAP 3017	9
Advanced Life Drawing	GRAP 3016	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Visual Narrative	GRAP 3019	9
Integrated Studio Practice	GRAP 3018	9

Rules & notes

Notes

1. All students must complete one University Elective as part of their undergraduate program. The University Elective may be chosen from any within the University and from any Study Period.

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 (independent study). 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:

studio-based projects
written discussions
professional presentations
portfolios
showreels

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 Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation)

If you have a passion for picture-making and the process of creating visual stories using static or moving images, this unique degree is a great choice.

You will complete much of your learning in our fully-equipped workshops and studios that are located on-campus. These world-class facilities boast digital fabrication equipment such as:

industry standard digital software for making and producing illustrations and animation
industry standard 3D modelling and visual effects software
industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems
CNC routers
3D printers
large format digital printers
green screen studio
industry-standard software in dedicated computer labs

Through a series of design studio courses you will also develop advanced conceptual, technical and production skills, and become an expert in the use of industry-standard software.

Real-world connections

There is the opportunity for you to undertake a mentorship or project engagement with a range of industry partners such as world-renowned visual effects studios Rising Sun Pictures. Rising Sun Pictures’ Adelaide-based studio has created thousands of visual effects for over 100 motion pictures, including Thor: Love and Thunder, Elvis, Hawkeye and the Harry Potter series.

You may choose to complete an industry placement, mentorship or collaboration with another creative organisation, or to complete an industry project during your third year of study.

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

Our students are passionate about the visual storytelling for children’s books, graphic novels, comics, editorial illustration, 2D, 3D and stop motion animation, concept design for film, game and digital production industries.

Careers to consider:

animator: use 2D and 3D software, drawing, painting and models to produce moving pictures
illustrator: develop and produce pictures for a broad range of creative industry sectors, for example, publishing, design, advertising, visual art, motion film, advertising, gaming and software development
technical illustrator: design and create visual representations for use in technical publications and manuals
graphic designer: create visual concepts and graphics; you may work in advertising, publishing, public relations or manufacturing

Additionally, this degree opens career pathways into other fields such as broadcasting and motion film, visual effects and animation, educational and science-based media, streaming web content provision, design agencies, product production (fashion, toys, giftware), evolving communication technologies such as mobile technology and virtual reality, and as independent artists developing original content, advertising and publishing.

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:

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

SAIBT Diploma of Arts

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

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

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. 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 loads 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.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered 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
workshops with an extensive range of traditional machines and tools
computer studios

Your program director

Illustration and Animation Design are highly specialised professions that provide innovative visual communication solutions to diverse industries, for example, publishing, education, design, communication media and entertainment. They are creative fields underpinned by entrepreneurial practice, requiring high level technical skills, production processes and design thinking.

Mr David Blaiklock

Program Director

Enquire

Mr David Blaiklock

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.

For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in 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 (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.

Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

Credit transfer or advanced standing

You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer 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 a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

Recognised prior learning

If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.

How do I get credit?

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.

Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

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.

If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.

Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.

We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!

There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.

You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Where can I get further information?

It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.

Find a course or a provider

TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.

More information on university admission

Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.

Questions about your application

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.