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 advertising, animation, broadcasting, exhibition, graphics, illustration, new media, photography or publications. Career options are 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 UTS: International (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative. The application must include a portfolio of the student's work (preferably 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.
CBK90152 Visual Communications Technology subjects | 12cp | |
CBK90005 Country major choice | 96cp | |
CBK90242 Sub-major/Electives (Design) | 24cp | |
STM90648 Core subjects | 138cp | |
CBK90275 Advanced Visual Communications Technology subjects | 6cp | |
CBK90778 Design Studies Year 2 | 6cp | |
CBK90779 Design Studies Year 4 | 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 has the same structure but with subjects specific to the chosen country major. In Years 2, 3 and 5 students choose a total of 24 credit points from CBK90242, comprising one sub-major or four electives.
Year 1 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
85502 Researching Design History | 6cp | |
87100 VC Project: Ways of Seeing | 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: Typography, Text and Form | 6cp | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn or Spring semester | ||
Select one subject from the following in CBK90778: | 6cp | |
85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies | 6cp | |
85505 Design Interventions: Making Theories | 6cp | |
85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia | 6cp | |
85602 Interdisciplinary Design Lab: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
85603 Interdisciplinary Design Experience: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Autumn semester | ||
8cp | ||
97601 German Language and Culture 1 | 8cp | |
87335 VC Project: Sequence and Narrative | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
97602 German Language and Culture 2 | 8cp | |
87445 VC Project: Schema and Non-Linear Narrative | 6cp | |
87441 VC Studies: Contexts of Visual Communication | 6cp | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn or Spring semester | ||
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Autumn semester | ||
97603 German Language and Culture 3 | 8cp | |
87443 VC Technology: Type for Print | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
97604 German Language and Culture 4 | 8cp | |
976421 Contemporary Germany | 8cp | |
87447 VC Technology: Motion Graphics | 6cp | |
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 in CBK90152: | 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 | |
85701 Research Based Designing | 6cp | |
Select one subject from the following in CBK90275: | 6cp | |
87639 VC Technology: Advanced Web Media | 6cp | |
87649 VC Technology: Advanced Interactive Media | 6cp | |
87659 VC Technology: Advanced Video Media | 6cp | |
87669 VC Technology: Digital Photo Media | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
Year 6 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
87773 Visualising Research | 12cp | |
Select one subject from the following in CBK90152: | 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 one subject from the following in CBK90779: | 6cp | |
85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles | 6cp | |
85601 Design Interventions: Business Innovation | 6cp | |
85602 Interdisciplinary Design Lab: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
85603 Interdisciplinary Design Experience: Undergraduate | 6cp | |
85605 Design Differences: Community Identities | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
87880 Major Project VC | 24cp | |
CBK90242 Sub-major and electives list | ||
CBK90246 Electives | 24cp | |
SMJ03029 Technology | 24cp | |
SMJ08157 Business Accounting | 24cp | |
SMJ08189 Project Management | 24cp | |
SMJ08190 Advertising | 24cp | |
SMJ08191 Public Relations | 24cp | |
SMJ08198 Advertising Principles | 24cp | |
SMJ08200 Construction Finance and Economics | 24cp | |
SMJ09035 Language Other Than English (LOTE) | 24cp | |
SMJ09036 Specialist Country Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ09039 Aboriginal Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10011 Photography | 24cp | |
SMJ10012 Textile Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10013 Film and Video | 24cp | |
SMJ10016 Furniture Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10017 Design for Theatre | 24cp | |
SMJ10019 Exhibition Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10020 Architectural Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10021 Cultural Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10022 Public Communication | 24cp | |
SMJ10023 Property Analysis | 24cp | |
SMJ10024 Social Political and Historical Studies | 24cp | |
SMJ10025 Writing | 24cp | |
SMJ10026 Object and Accessory Design | 24cp | |
SMJ10027 Audio Production | 24cp | |
SMJ08197 Marketing Principles | 24cp |
Further information on the Visual Communication component is available from the Faculty Student Office on:
Further information on the International Studies program is available from the Institute on: