Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours)

Overview

Creativity meets practicality in our Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours). Study the emotional impact of design, as well as the mechanics of structures. Think about materials, not just maths. From furniture to med-tech devices, you'll be ready for any design brief. And with a focus on new technologies and sustainability, you'll emerge ready for any future.

Check the Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours) course handbook

Get a copy of our course guide

Are you in high school?

Back by popular demand: A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student. See what uni is really like with hands-on workshops, presentations and more across different study areas.

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Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects.

In this degree, you'll work on industry-linked briefs in our Capstone projects and applied innovation studios.

Explore Work Integrated Learning

Skills you’ll learn

Problem solving
Idea generating
Concept development
Industry-standard CAD programs operating
Design for manufacturing understanding

Your career opportunities

Industrial designer
Product designer
Service designer
Model maker
Computer-aided designer
Design consultant

Key codes

CRICOS course code

085305B

VTAC Code (IFP)

3400236203

VTAC Code (CSP)

3400236201

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out

5 stars for overall experience

#1 in Melbourne for graduate found full-time employment 4 months after completing their degree

Sources

"Swinburne provided access to a range of design software and labs with top-of-the-line computers. In addition, I had access to every tool I could dream of. From 3D printers to laser cutters and flatbed CNCs, all available for us to explore to our heart's content."

Jake , Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours)

School of Design and Architecture's Instagram

Qualifications

One of the following:

successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

70.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

69.5

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject adjustments, equity schemes or other factors.

Subject adjustments:

A study score of 25 in Art Creative Practice, Product Design and Technologies, Furnishing T, any Mathematics, Art Making and Exhibiting, Systems Engineering or Visual Communication Design equals 4 aggregate points per study.

Overall maximum of 15 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Course prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent and
Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion in one of Art Creative Practice, Product Design And Technology, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making And Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design

Learn more about MathsLink General

VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL)
VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in one of Art, Product Design and Technology, Media, Interactive Digital Media, Studio Arts or Visual Communication Design or equivalent.

International students must attain the equivalent prerequisite score in any art, design or media equivalent to Year 12.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

Visit course handbook

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about RPL

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

Learn more about pathways

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Core units

Elective units

Honours year units

4-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.

Year one

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Semester 1
Twentieth Century Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD10001
Introductory Design Studio Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD10006
Product Visualisation 1: Hand Sketching Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DID10001
Materials, Finishes and Form Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DID10006
Semester 2
User Centered Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DID10004
Product Visualisation 2: Digital Sketching Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DID20007
Digital Modelling Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DPD20001
Elective Elective unit

Year two

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Semester 1
Design and Emotion Studio Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID20001
Materials and Processes Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID20002
Product Visualisation 3: Surface Modelling and Rendering Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID20008
Elective Elective unit
Semester 2
Contemporary Design Issues Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD20004
Digital Manufacturing Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID30001
Elective Elective unit
Elective Elective unit

Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

View course handbook

Year three

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Semester 1
Products in Context: Theories of Industrial Design Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID30003
Furniture Design Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD30004
Elective Elective unit
Elective Elective unit
Semester 2
Socially Responsible Design Studio Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID30002
Online Enterprise and Opportunities Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DID30004
Elective Elective unit
Elective Elective unit

Year four (Honours)

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Industrial Design Honours Stream
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40001
Capstone: Industrial Design Major Project 1 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DID40001
Elective Industrial Design Stream unit
Professional Design Attributes Honours unit, 12.5 credit points	DPD40004
Capstone: Industrial Design Major Project 2 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DID40002
or
Design Factory Melbourne Honours Stream
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40001
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD60030
Project Management and Practice Honours unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD30038
Professional Attributes for Design Honours unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD30036
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD70031

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Total fee* ($AUD)

$37,256

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$43,280.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Financials
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Learn more about SSAF

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

BH-DESIND1

Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code

BH-DESIND1

Apply directly

Course code

BH-DESIND1

CRICOS code

085305B

Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Applying through Early Entry Program?

If you are applying through the EEP Program you will need a special code to apply.

Find out more

VTAC Code (CSP)

3400236201

Apply through VTAC

VTAC Code (IFP)

3400236203

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Semester 2

Hawthorn

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Semester 2

Hawthorn

04-August-2025

Upcoming events

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Creative

08-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | STEM, Aviation & Health

09-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Social Impact and Innovation

10-April-2025

- Design
From fold-up furniture to homes for bees, industrial design on show

Industrial Design Honours students design products for urban living for humans and insects.

Read more (From fold-up furniture to homes for bees, industrial design on show)

Monday 11 November 2019

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Are you in high school?

Your industry experience

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Key codes

International student visa

Why Swinburne?

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

Subject adjustments:

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Apply for a pathway course

Year one

Year two

Want to see the full range of electives?

Year three

Year four (Honours)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

Applying through Early Entry Program?