C04072v5 Master of Design

Overview

The Master of Design advances the criticality and creativity of designers in new areas of professional design practice. It has several distinctive features: it combines four interdisciplinary core subjects in design management with four electives in a particular area of design expertise; it has an intercultural focus with all collaborative tasks involving cross-cultural groups; all design disciplines are explored and all projects involve a mix of designers; and it focuses on entrepreneurial design, where the designers are the drivers of new business opportunities and significant social change.

The course advances designers through a more in-depth understanding of the changing contexts in which they are designing; advances creative, research, communication and management abilities; and focuses on specific new design techniques. Graduates are culturally sensitive entrepreneurs with both specialist skills and general practice management abilities.

Course aims

This course aims to assist practising designers to develop high-level expertise by providing them with in-depth critical understanding of the changing contexts in which they are designing; advanced technical, creative, research, communication and management abilities; and the chance to develop expertise in specific areas of emerging design practice.

Career options

Career options include managers or principals of design practices and team leaders on design projects. Graduates also have enhanced employment prospects in areas related to the specialisation in which they choose to major.

Academic requirements

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

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree must have completed it with at least a credit average (a weighted average mark of at least 65) in a design field, such as fashion, interior, product, industrial or visual communication design. Applicants also require:

• a portfolio demonstrating original design ability, and
• a supporting personal statement that critically reviews a selected design by the applicant; demonstrates an understanding of the specific nature of this degree program; and nominates an appropriate discipline for design practice subjects.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; TOEFL: paper based: 575 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 90 overall with a writing score of 21; DEEP: C

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.

Recognition of prior learning

Applicants with an approved four-year bachelor's degree or graduate diploma in a design field receive 24 credit points of advanced standing against the compulsory design studies subjects.

Course duration and attendance

The course duration is one-and-a-half-years of full-time, or three-years of part-time study.

Course structure

The course comprises a total of 72 credit points, made up of 24 credit points of core coursework subjects, 24 credit points from a choice of design studies subjects and 24 credit points from a choice of electives which constitute a major. Subject selection must be appropriate to the student's background.

Students are assisted by the director of the postgraduate design program to develop a pattern of study best suited to their needs.

Course completion requirements

Course program

The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester and undertaking the course full time with no specified major.

Other information

Further information is available from the Building 6 Student Centre on: