Visual Communication studies focus on an understanding of the way the design process is mediated by the contemporary sociopolitical framework within which it occurs. The combined degree program provides students with additional practical skills by providing the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of a language and culture other than English.
Subjects actively encourage conceptual skills and design processing in the context of communication, rather than the performance of technical operational skills. Students are encouraged to develop their own creative abilities and to be aware of the broader cultural, social and political impact of their design work.
The aim of the combined degree in Visual Communication and International Studies is to produce graduates who have developed perspectives and understandings that enable them to meet the professional demands of an internationalised marketplace.
The course aims to prepare students for work in a field that is extremely diverse and expects graduates to aspire to the highest level of professional practice and take an imaginative and constructively critical approach to their work.
Career options include designer in graphics, advertising, animation, new media, publications, photography, illustration, broadcasting or exhibition. Career options will be enhanced by international experience, making students more marketable to prospective employers.
International students (excluding those studying in an Australian high school) must submit an application to the UTS International Office (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative. The application must include a portfolio of the student's work (preferrably provided on CD or DVD).
There is a range of entry levels to the various Language and Culture programs. Students are admitted to the International Studies program with no guarantee of entry to a specific major, although every effort is made to meet students' preferences.
In addition to the standard application requirements, all non-current school leaver applicants to this course are required to submit online a compulsory Personal Statement directly to UTS by the end of September. For further information, see UTS Personal Statements.
There are no prior language requirements, except for programs within the Heritage major.
The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is a six-year, full-time degree. Students spend their fourth year of study at a university overseas.
Students must complete 288 credit points of study, comprising 192 credit points relating to the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication (C10059) and 96 credit points relating to the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication is structured to allow students to select areas of interest, particularly in the second half of the course.
The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies requires undergraduates to study a major – a region or country – over a minimum of three years. Students study language and culture in the second and third year and spend their fourth year of study at a university overseas.
The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is not offered as a separate degree, but is completed only in combination with the professional degree program.
Students can undertake part-time work experience in their third year of study.
| CBK90132 Design Discipline subjects | 18cp | |
| CBK90152 Visual Communications Technology subjects | 12cp | |
| CBK90005 Country major choice | 96cp | |
| STM90372 Core subjects | 132cp | |
| CBK90242 Sub-major / Electives DAB | 24cp | |
| CBK90275 Advanced Visual Communications Technology subjects | 6cp | |
| Total | 288cp |
The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester and undertaking the course full time with the Germany major as the International Studies major. Other countries may be chosen from the list of majors in CBK90005; the program would have the same structure but with subjects specific to the chosen country major.
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn semester | ||
| 85502 Researching Design History | 6cp | |
| 87100 VC Project: Reflective Practice | 6cp | |
| 87117 VC Technology: Visible Language | 6cp | |
| 87118 VC Studies: Image Experimentation | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 85503 Researching Design Processes | 6cp | |
| 87221 VC Studies: Histories of Visual Communication | 6cp | |
| 87222 VC Project: Symbols and Systems | 6cp | |
| 87333 VC Technology: Introduction to Typography | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn or Spring semester | ||
| Select three subjects from the following: | 18cp | |
| 87335 VC Project: Sequence and Narrative | 6cp | |
| 87443 VC Technology: Type for Print and Screen | 6cp | |
| 87441 VC Studies: Contexts of Visual Communication | 6cp | |
| 87445 VC Project: Schema and Nonlinear Narrative | 6cp | |
| 87447 VC Technology: Motion Graphics | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Autumn semester | ||
| 50140 Comparative Social Change | 8cp | |
| 97601 German Language and Culture 1 | 8cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 97602 German Language and Culture 2 | 8cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn or Spring semester | ||
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
| 85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
| 85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories | 6cp | |
| 85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
| 85507 Theories of Change | 6cp | |
| 85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements | 6cp | |
| 85509 Design Differences: Other Identities | 6cp | |
| 85700 Interdisciplinary Project | 6cp | |
| Select two subjects from the following: | 12cp | |
| 87335 VC Project: Sequence and Narrative | 6cp | |
| 87443 VC Technology: Type for Print and Screen | 6cp | |
| 87441 VC Studies: Contexts of Visual Communication | 6cp | |
| 87445 VC Project: Schema and Nonlinear Narrative | 6cp | |
| 87447 VC Technology: Motion Graphics | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Autumn semester | ||
| 97603 German Language and Culture 3 | 8cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 97604 German Language and Culture 4 | 8cp | |
| 976421 Contemporary Germany | 8cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn semester | ||
| 977420 In-country Study 1: Germany | 24cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 978420 In-country Study 2: Germany | 24cp | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn semester | ||
| 87551 VC Studies: Concepts of Professionalism | 6cp | |
| 87555 VC Project: Design Practice | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 87529 VC Technology: Pre-press and Print Production | 6cp | |
| 87539 VC Technology: Introduction to Web Media | 6cp | |
| 87549 VC Technology: Introduction to Interactive Media | 6cp | |
| 87559 VC Technology: Introduction to Video Media | 6cp | |
| 87569 VC Technology: Historical Photo Media | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 87665 VC Project: The Community | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
| 85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
| 85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories | 6cp | |
| 85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
| 85507 Theories of Change | 6cp | |
| 85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements | 6cp | |
| 85509 Design Differences: Other Identities | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 87529 VC Technology: Pre-press and Print Production | 6cp | |
| 87539 VC Technology: Introduction to Web Media | 6cp | |
| 87549 VC Technology: Introduction to Interactive Media | 6cp | |
| 87559 VC Technology: Introduction to Video Media | 6cp | |
| 87569 VC Technology: Historical Photo Media | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Year 6 | ||
| Autumn semester | ||
| 87772 VC Project: Self-direction | 6cp | |
| 87780 VC Studies: Research Dissertation | 6cp | |
| CBK90275 Advanced Visual Communications Technology subjects | 6cp | |
| Select one subject from the following: | 6cp | |
| 85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
| 85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
| 85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories | 6cp | |
| 85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
| 85507 Theories of Change | 6cp | |
| 85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements | 6cp | |
| 85509 Design Differences: Other Identities | 6cp | |
| 85700 Interdisciplinary Project | 6cp | |
| Spring semester | ||
| 87880 Major Project VC | 24cp | |
For further information on the Visual Communication component, contact the Faculty Student Office on:
For further information on the International Studies program, contact the Institute on: