C10308v2 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication

This distinctive degree explores diverse forms of visual communication across design, culture and media.

Visual communication students acquire in depth understanding of the histories, practices and meanings of the visual world.

In turn, obtaining the visual knowledge and skills required to negotiate rapidly changing technology, visual media and culture while becoming skilled in apprehending the unprecedented pace at which visual images, visual technologies and information data are produced.Students immerse themselves in a practice-oriented, studio-based culture, studying a range of interdisciplinary subjects encompassing typography, interaction and image-making.

Taught by experts in visual communication, students learn everything from the history and theory of visual culture and technology to producing cutting edge creative work in digital media, photography, editorial design, information visualisation, web design, wayfinding, mobile apps, code, interaction design, machine learning, motion graphics, the internet of things and 3D technologies such as VR/AR and 3D printing.

Exploring both traditional and experimental research methods students learn to produce conceptually rigorous and socially responsive work.

They graduate with the capacity to work across and between disciplines, to articulate design practices and processes, and to apply them to complex problems.

Graduates develop industry experience through the degree's emphasis on addressing real-world issues in collaborative and team-based work.

Students must complete 144 credit points made up of 120 credit points of core subjects and 24 credit points of electives.

Course completion requirements

Course diagram

Course program

A typical program is shown below.

Autumn commencing, full time

Year 1

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 3

Autumn session

Spring session

Spring commencing, full time

Year 1

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 3

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 4

Autumn session

Spring session

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building may consider applications based on the results of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) if students lack academic qualifications but have extensive professional experience. The STAT is conducted through the Universities Admissions Centre.

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

Non-current school leavers are selected on the basis of academic merit or on the basis of portfolio and interview rank.

Students must refer to the portfolio eligibility for the faculty’s consideration in order to get a place.

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.