Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business
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Choose your majors for Bachelor of Design
Choose your majors for Bachelor of Business
Branded Environments
Transform spaces into multi-sensory experiences. Drive deep connections to brands. Put your sensory design superpowers to use in our Branded Environments major.
Communication Design
Develop your design-thinking capabilities with our Communication Design major. Learn how to respond to challenging design briefs and generate ideas with confidence. Plus, build your folio as you go.
Motion Design
In our Motion Design major, you'll learn how to design and produce motion content for every conceivable media platform – from sky-scraping digital billboards to discreet wearable devices.
Photomedia
Prepare yourself for practice as a visual artist or photographer with our Photomedia major. Develop your conceptual and technical skills to create sophisticated campaigns and publications.
UX Interaction Design
Gain skills in user-centred design research, visual design theory and design-led thinking in order to create seamless user experiences in our UX Interaction Design major.
Business Administration
Gain an essential understanding of business operations, including organisational behaviour and managing workplace relations, alongside a range of practical skills.
Business Analytics and Analysis
Business analysts often act as bridges between management and those with more technological leanings. This major will teach you how to speak both business and tech languages.
Entrepreneurship
Develop the type of fresh thinking required to build, launch and scale a start-up business or social venture.
Finance
This CFA-affiliated program is designed to build careers in investment banking, financial consultancy, asset management, financial securities, trading stocks and brokerage.
Financial Planning
Help people get the most out of their money with essential financial planning skills. Investments, taxation and more, you’ll also learn about the ethical issues when managing a client’s finances.
Human Resource Management
Discover how to manage people, create a productive working environment and build a positive workplace culture.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Equip yourself with the skills needed to access career opportunities in logistics and supply chain management, international trade, procurement, inventory management and distribution.
Management
Learn about the role of management in business and discover how key resources must be strategically planned, effectively deployed, monitored and controlled to meet strategic business objectives.
Marketing
Develop the advanced marketing and managerial skills needed to think strategically and succeed in this exciting industry.
Sports Management
Develop the business mindset needed to run sport organisations and venues, identify risks and seize opportunities.
Overview
Learn effective design strategies for digital, marketing and communications collateral.
The Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business equips students with the knowledge and skills essential for a career that encompasses the challenging and dynamic area of design and business. Graduates will gain opportunities in both the design and business professions learning photography, UX design and consulting skills.
Course prerequisites have changed
The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
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.
This degree's design component includes a capstone project which could see yourself working with places like City of Melbourne and more.
Skills you’ll learn
- Creative visual problem solving
- Digital prototyping
- Idea generation
- Ethical conduct
- Problem solving
- Time management
Your career opportunities
- Economics
- Design consultancy
- Design management
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Publishing
Key codes
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.
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Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
5 stars for overall experience
Top 5% of the world’s higher education business schools
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out
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"I chose Swinburne because I wanted to complete a degree that would give me practical work experience and a competitive edge over other graduates from other universities. My placement offered insight into working life and a clearer idea of the career path I'd like to take."
Linh , Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Business
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).
- 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.
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
70
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]
68.15
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 bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements.
Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. 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.
Course prerequisites
These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
- 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.
- VCE 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.
- International students must successfully complete any subject in 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. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months, 8 units max credit
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
Add your major
Add your major for a more personalised experience.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design/ Bachelor of Business 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.
What your course could look like
These are some examples of the units currently in this course. Your sequence may vary depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Concepts and Narratives
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10001 |
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Digital Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10002 |
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Typography
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10005 |
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Twentieth Century Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DDD10001 |
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Photography for Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO10004 |
|
User Interface Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO20004 |
|
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DDD20004 |
|
Brand and Identity Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
DCO20001 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Financial Information for Decision Making
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
ACC10007 |
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Economics for Business Decision Making
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
ECO10005 |
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Contemporary Management Principles
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
MGT10009 |
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Marketing and the Consumer Experience
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
MKT10009 |
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Business Digitalisation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
INF10024 |
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Business Consulting Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BUS30032 |
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Creative Mindset and Entrepreneurship
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BUS10015 |
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Business Practice Core Option*
Core unit |
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*Upon enrolment you will choose your Business Practice electives; these include Sustainable Business Practice, Future Work Skills, internships, and study tours.
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$13,153
Total fee* ($AUD)
$52,612
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$41,240.00
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
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.
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.
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.