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Bachelor of Design

Course code W64

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, Games and Interactive Design, or Fashion.
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.

Why ECU?

  • QILT logo

    ECU top in teaching quality

    For the fifth year in a row, ECU has received the top undergraduate teaching quality ranking of all 37 public universities in Australia.

    ECU was also the top-ranked public university in Australia for undergraduate skills development for the sixth year in a row.

    View QILT results.

  • The Good Universities Guide 2021

    Good Universities Guide

    In the 2021 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for teaching quality, skills development, student support, learning resources, learner engagement and overall student experience.

    The 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality has now been achieved for 14 straight years.

    Read more about the Good Universities Guide.

  • THE Impact Rankings

    THE Impact Rankings

    ECU has been ranked in the top 50 for Gender Equality (24th), Good Health and Wellbeing (24th) and Quality Education (41st) in the 2021 Times Higher Education Impact rankings, showing how universities are working towards the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

    Read more about the THE Impact Rankings

  • THE World University Rankings 2020 Top 100 Young

    THE Young University Rankings

    ECU has been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings, THE World University Rankings.

Course overview

Choose student type

Entry requirements

70 Indicative ATAR

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Course code

W64

Admissions

Course admission profile

ECU admission profile

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $11,250

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT PT FT PT
South West
Online
FT - Full-time PT - Part-time

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Course code

W64

CRICOS code

0100519

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $30,900

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup
Mount Lawley FT FT
South West
Online
FT - Full-time PT - Part-time

Course Entry

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

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to :
    - achieve Year 12 English General minimum grade of A;
    - successfully complete a minimum of 1 ATAR course;
    - successfully complete a minimum of 3 General courses with at least one course in an area related to the course/major selected; and
    - have discipline specific portfolio and attend an interview to assess applicant potential to succeed in the selected course/major.
    Note: WACE is a minimum requirement for all Year 12 School Leavers.

    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);
    • 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.

Course Details

Choose student type

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

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, Fashion 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|3

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

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.

Fees and Scholarships

Choose student type

AUD $11,250 *

* Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee

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.

AUD $30,900 *

* International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee

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.

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, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, 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, Fashion Designer, Game Designer, Interior Designer, Conceptual Artist, Illustrator, Sketch-noter

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

Become World Ready

World Ready facilities

Explore your options

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

  • Meet a diverse group of students who are studying an equally diverse mix of courses at ECU Mount Lawley.

  • Highlights from ArtsHum, the annual exhibition and awards show for our School of Arts and Humanities.

  • Meet students majoring in Graphic Design, Interactive Multimedia and Environmental and Spatial Design at ECU Mount Lawley.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • 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?