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Applicants who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Design from the University of South Australia are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study, and are not required to submit a portfolio of work and statement of intent.
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.
Related design disciplines include: visual art; contemporary art; illustration and animation.
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 [6.5]
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)
UniSA has over 150 years of experience teaching art and design (footnote re SASA’s incorporation into UniSA).
Gain advanced practical art, design and research skills.
Develop important skills in business to ensure you succeed in your chosen field.
Learn in custom-built studio spaces and workshops.
Be taught by practising artists, writers and researchers who have significant industry experience.
Build important industry networks.
UniSA is Top 5 in Australia for Art and Design facilities1.
Have access to a state-of-the-art library that has the largest collection of art, craft and design resources in the state.
Use this qualification as a pathway to further study.
Our curriculum is informed by our world-class research in visual arts and crafts2.
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.
1Ranked #3, ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Creative Arts – Learning Resources Indicator (Postgraduate). Public universities. 2Results in Visual Arts and Crafts, and Creative Arts and Writing - Contemporary Art - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
This Master degree will not only help to further extend practical skills in your chosen specialisation, but it will also provide you with valuable business management skills.
The specialised fields you are able to choose from include:
photographic, digital and graphic media, illustration and animation
painting and drawing
spatial and material studies, including public art, sculpture, textiles, glass, ceramics, jewellery/metal, and furniture.
A key focus of this degree is on the development and application of research practices and methodologies. You will graduate with the creative and critical thinking skills needed to review and analyse information. You will also develop skills in marketing and critical analysis.
Advanced Standing
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in the same specific discipline may be eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study. Applicants must submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.
What you'll learn
This qualification provides graduates with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge, and invaluable research and business skills.
A key focus is on research as it relates to your chosen specialisation. You will also study marketing and business, covering areas such as:
grant sourcing and applications
industry associations and professional recognition
communication skills and marketing strategies
copyright, trademarks, intellectual property and taxation.
You will also acquire the creative and critical thinking skills needed to conduct and analyse research, and will explore online art and design practice, online marketing, business management and self-employment practices related to the art and design industries.
In your final year, you will work towards the creation of a body of work for exhibition.
1. Within a particular year students may choose to vary the sequence of study, except where there are prerequisites for courses, but they are not permitted to take two Research Studios concurrently.
2. Students who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study.
Notes
1. Electives are selected from those listed above. 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 may choose to enrol in alternative electives with approval from their Program Director.
2. 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 a research or project based individual elective with the approval of the Program Director.
3. This program forms part of a nested suite of programs consisting of 72 units as follows: Graduate Diploma in Design comprising 36 units; Master of Design comprising a further 36 units.
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:
presentations
research projects
studio projects
business feasibility studies
literature/artefact reviews
There will also be essays and written assignments.
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.
This qualification not only provides you with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge related to individual specialisations but also ensures you have the necessary business management and marketing skills needed to succeed after graduation. It will also provide you with advanced research skills.
With access to facilities in custom-built studio spaces and workshops, you will learn first-hand how to turn your creative ideas into reality. You will also benefit from our strong industry links (with the potential to undertake industry placements), industry-experienced teaching staff and academics, and national and international artists who visit as guest lecturers.
Our teaching staff are professional artists and designers, so the curriculum is practice-based and industry-relevant. You will also work alongside world-class researchers in contemporary art1 when you embark on an individual research project as part of your studies.
The Master of Design is located at the centre of Adelaide’s City West cultural precinct with easy access to cutting-edge galleries and arts organisations, including the Samstag Museum of Art, SASA Gallery, MOD. and JamFactory.
Now is a perfect time to choose UniSA for your postgraduate study in art and design.
1Results in Studies in Creative Arts and Writing - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Real-world connections
Learn from practising artists, writers and researchers, and benefit from their industry experience and real-life connections.
Our teaching staff are highly trained industry professionals with decades of experience. They have strong industry links and many hold professional positions with national and international organisations. For you this means links to industry and the opportunity to build important networks.
UniSA has over 2,500 national and international industry partnerships – providing further opportunities for you to build important industry relationships. You will have the opportunity to take on real-life projects with real-world clients as part of the University’s matchstudio learning experience.
This degree was the only one available in SA and had a good reputation. The external mentoring program was amazing. I was able to get feedback and support from people I really admired that I otherwise wouldn’t of felt able to approach. This pushed me to produce better work and really strengthened my approach to making and writing about my work.
Tamara won the annual Helpmann Academy British School at Rome Residency, valued at $25,000.
Tamara Baillie
Master of Visual Art and Design *now Master of Design (Contemporary Art)
Career outcomes
Your career
Visual artists are highly creative, highly motivated, disciplined and committed. To succeed in this creative profession, you need to be willing to take risks, push boundaries and experiment with concepts, contexts and materials. If you think you've got what it takes, the job prospects for visual artists in Australia are looking great1.
Careers to consider:
artist/designer: ceramicist, painter, illustrator, sculptor, jeweller, textile artist, printmaker, photographer, furniture designer, digital media
arts administrator: responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operations of an arts organisation
art historian: an authority on art history; you may work for a museum, library, art gallery or historical centre
art critic: specialise in analysing, interpreting, and evaluating art
1Australian Government, Job Outlook 2020
How to apply
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.
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
This degree is part of a nested suite of degrees, which means you may be able to exit early and graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Design.
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.
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.
Student services
Our international 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:
We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies, and can offer help with the English language too. 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.
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.
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.
Fees This is based on the total number of units for this program where one EFTSL is expressed as 36 units.
*UniSA accepts applications for programs commencing beyond the year advertised and tuition fees for these years will be higher. Please note that your tuition fees will be subject to an annual increase.
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