C04243v3 Master of Design

Unique in Australia, the Master of Design is intellectually vibrant, socially engaging, visionary, practice-focused and actively linked to industry.

The course centres on building a design community network and has two main components:

specialised master classes led by a studio leader and industry partners;

and theory and technology subjects taught across the program.The program focuses on and integrates research, industry collaboration, internationalisation and a design culture through the delivery of specialist, core and transdisciplinary subjects.

It provides a postgraduate education that is flexible in both its practice orientation and research integration.With a focus on design evolution, innovative integration of new technologies, practice and student experimentation, this Master of Design is delivered by experienced studio leaders who are acknowledged leaders in their specific industries and professions.

Students must complete 72 credit points comprising 36 credit points of core subjects and 36 credit points of design expertise subjects.

Course completion requirements

Course program

An example full-time program is shown below, for students commencing in Autumn session.

Autumn commencing, full time

Year 1

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.

Applicants must have a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a design-related field with a mid-credit (70) average.

In addition to the above academic qualification, all applicants need to provide the following:

• a digital portfolio of 10 x A4 landscape PDFs that display digital files, scans and/or photographs of original design work done by the applicant, including a brief appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses in each design. Portfolios must show that the final design outcomes are the product of a rich and sustained process of prototyping and refinement, from initial concepts, through different rough iterations, to more refined design outcomes. Portfolios are judged on the students' capacity to conceive and deliver original design outcomes through a rigorous and expansive approach to design process
• a 300-word statement addressing the applicant's reasons for undertaking postgraduate study in design at UTS, and the specific learning that they are seeking given their intended career direction on completion of the degree
• a CV that clearly articulates the applicant's design or related experience.
• a list of the applicant's existing software skills relevant to the design disciplines that they intend to study in. Applicants have an advantage if they possess prototyping skills in software relevant to interaction and service design. For example, Sketch, Maya and Solidworks are used in some subjects. However, the course is created to help students with less advanced prototyping skills thrive, if they are willing to put in the extra effort.

Students must refer to the inherent requirements for all degrees offered by Design and Architecture in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.