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Course code W64

Bachelor of Design 2024

Creative thinkers made here.

Creative thinkers made here.

Why study at ECU?

About this Course

Design is an ability to question assumptions. Designers are trained to ask, 'why?' because this can lead to exciting changes in the way things are done.

Design is also the ability to think through doing. Like sketching and drawing, making models or quick prototypes to test your ideas through materials. It’s satisfying work. And if you’re not having fun making, you’re doing it wrong!
In our Bachelor of Design course, you can explore design through a specialisation in Visual and Spatial Design or Games and Interactive Design.
You’ll develop transferable visual and spatial problem identification, ideation, and prototyping skills to establish your own place in the world, with a personal style, as well as career opportunities and entrepreneurial skills.
And because we have real clients that need our ideas, by the end of your course you’ll have real work to show to launch your design career. Or you can go on to further study, such as our Master of Design course.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course code W64

Entry requirements

70 Indicative ATAR

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $12,650

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT PT FT PT
South West
Online
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

About this Course

Design is an ability to question assumptions. Designers are trained to ask, 'why?' because this can lead to exciting changes in the way things are done.

Design is also the ability to think through doing. Like sketching and drawing, making models or quick prototypes to test your ideas through materials. It’s satisfying work. And if you’re not having fun making, you’re doing it wrong!
In our Bachelor of Design course, you can explore design through a specialisation in Visual and Spatial Design or Games and Interactive Design.
You’ll develop transferable visual and spatial problem identification, ideation, and prototyping skills to establish your own place in the world, with a personal style, as well as career opportunities and entrepreneurial skills.
And because we have real clients that need our ideas, by the end of your course you’ll have real work to show to launch your design career. Or you can go on to further study, such as our Master of Design course.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course code W64

CRICOS code 0100519

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $35,300

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT FT
South West
Online
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Don't have an ATAR?

Some of the majors in this course don't require an ATAR for entry. Find out how to apply using our Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry pathway.

How to apply

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Don't have an ATAR?

Some of the majors in this course don't require an ATAR for entry. Find out how to apply using our Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry pathway.

How to apply

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 1: Study part-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study part-time at Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Students will be required to complete eight core units (120 credit points)

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH1100Communicating Ideas15
SAH1150Creativity15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH1200Media and Culture15
SAH1250Storytelling and Meaning15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH2110Identity15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH2200Audience Perception and Experience15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH3100Personal and Professional Planning15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH3200Industry and Community 15

Students are also required to complete an eight unit major (120 credit points) from within the Bachelor of Design: Visual & Spatial Design or Games and Interactive Design.

Students are required to complete a further eight units (120 credit points) in the form of an eight unit major, minor(s), and/or elective units. These may be selected from anywhere within the university. Units within this course should be completed in year sequence (e.g. all first-year units should be completed before proceeding to second-year units).

W64|4

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Majors you can study in this course

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Work Integrated Learning is available to students in the following forms:
    - Students in each major of the degree have live briefs to respond to for industry clients
    - All students engage with industry and have site visits through the Industry and Community unit (SAH3200)
    - Selected students are able to complete the Professional Placement unit (CCA3104) and have it count towards their major
    - Selected students are able to undertake individual industry projects through the Independent Study unit (CCA3108) and have it count towards their major.

    Attendance requirements

    Attendance requirements are outlined within the WIL units.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and technical/practical Design situations
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise/synthesise complex Design knowledge/problems
  3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate Design specific solutions/responses
  4. Use digital technologies and Design related literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources
  5. Communicate Design knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values through appropriate Design methods
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and scholarship and/or professional practice

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Students will be required to complete eight core units (120 credit points)

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH1100Communicating Ideas15
SAH1150Creativity15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH1200Media and Culture15
SAH1250Storytelling and Meaning15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH2110Identity15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH2200Audience Perception and Experience15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH3100Personal and Professional Planning15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SAH3200Industry and Community 15

Students are also required to complete an eight unit major (120 credit points) from within the Bachelor of Design: Visual & Spatial Design or Games and Interactive Design.

Students are required to complete a further eight units (120 credit points) in the form of an eight unit major, minor(s), and/or elective units. These may be selected from anywhere within the university. Units within this course should be completed in year sequence (e.g. all first-year units should be completed before proceeding to second-year units).

W64|4

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Majors you can study in this course

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Work Integrated Learning is available to students in the following forms:
    - Students in each major of the degree have live briefs to respond to for industry clients
    - All students engage with industry and have site visits through the Industry and Community unit (SAH3200)
    - Selected students are able to complete the Professional Placement unit (CCA3104) and have it count towards their major
    - Selected students are able to undertake individual industry projects through the Independent Study unit (CCA3108) and have it count towards their major.

    Attendance requirements

    Attendance requirements are outlined within the WIL units.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and technical/practical Design situations
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise/synthesise complex Design knowledge/problems
  3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate Design specific solutions/responses
  4. Use digital technologies and Design related literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources
  5. Communicate Design knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values through appropriate Design methods
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and scholarship and/or professional practice

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $12,650 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Employment is available in Service Design, Graphic Design, Spatial Design, Healthcare Design, Strategic Design, UX (User Experience Design), Web Design, Game Design. Increasingly, Design is a valued skill in a range of ancillary industries and students can work in transdisciplinary areas such as designing games for education and training, working with architectural design companies to create visualisations, and plan and manage public space, work with information industries such as libraries, archives and museums. The course equips students in managing projects, clients, and their roles in teams as well as the generic skills required to adapt to a rapidly evolving industry.

Possible future job titles

Graphic Designer, Spatial Designer, Service Designer, Web Designer, Game Designer, Interior Designer, Conceptual Artist, Illustrator, Sketch-noter, Graphic Facilitator

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $35,300 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Employment is available in Service Design, Graphic Design, Spatial Design, Healthcare Design, Strategic Design, UX (User Experience Design), Web Design, Game Design. Increasingly, Design is a valued skill in a range of ancillary industries and students can work in transdisciplinary areas such as designing games for education and training, working with architectural design companies to create visualisations, and plan and manage public space, work with information industries such as libraries, archives and museums. The course equips students in managing projects, clients, and their roles in teams as well as the generic skills required to adapt to a rapidly evolving industry.

Possible future job titles

Graphic Designer, Spatial Designer, Service Designer, Web Designer, Game Designer, Interior Designer, Conceptual Artist, Illustrator, Sketch-noter, Graphic Facilitator

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Experiences

Explore your options

Design graduate Sasha Lai talks about the satisfaction of working on a client brief as part of her studies.

Experiences

Explore your options

Design graduate Sasha Lai talks about the satisfaction of working on a client brief as part of her studies.

Student stories

  • Aryana Eraman

    Aryana Eraman

    ECU Design graduate and UX Designer at IBM

    I recommend getting a taste of as many different fields of Design while you are at university.

    My tutor recommended I apply for the UX Designer role as part of the IBM-ECU Internship program. As I completed my internship, I was offered a position as a full-time graduate at IBM. I now work full-time with a major mining company client as the sole UX/UI Designer on my IBM team and as a Business Analyst.

  • Aimee Chappell

    Aimee Chappell

    ECU Design graduate

    I constantly find myself looking at signs and symbols and thinking, oh, this could be designed better

    And thinking, "What if we did this?" I was always a visual artist and I just wanted to figure out a way to get a consistent income working in that field.

    Through the units in my degree, especially the Fremantle-based unit, The Happiness Project, I realised it wasn't just about graphic design. For me, it's about design communication, designing systems and figuring out how to help people – asking why are we doing this? Who does it affect? How is it helpful? Thinking with empathy.

    I'd always wanted to help people, but I never thought as a creative that I would find a way to both earn an income and do that.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Design 2024?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.