Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours)

Overview

Tap into emotions. Bring information into order. Help start important conversations. Our Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) is informed by cutting-edge research and practice. In it, you'll gain the high-end strategic and critical thinking skills, and practical production skills to become an imaginative communication designer and researcher.

Check the Bachelor of Design (Communication 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.

Find out more

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 live briefs in our embedded Industry Placement program and student-led studio, The Bureau.

Explore Work Integrated Learning

Skills you’ll learn

Conceptual and creative skills
Design knowledge and academic leadership
Adapting to change
Professional industry experience
Recognition by professional associations

Your career opportunities

Communication designer
Web designer
UX designer
Interaction designer
Experience designer
Design consultant

Key codes

CRICOS course code

079130D

VTAC Code (IFP)

3400236043

VTAC Code (CSP)

3400236041

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

5 stars for overall experience

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

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out

Sources

- Design
Wild animal inspired road safety campaign launches in Melbourne

Live outdoor ad campaign created by Communication Design Honours students features wild animals.

Read more (Wild animal inspired road safety campaign launches in Melbourne)

Tuesday 20 October 2020

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 of an approved Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees or at least partial completion of a degree.

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

80.0

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

74.65

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, Applied Fashion Design & Technology B, Product Design and Technologies, Media, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, 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

Successful completion of:

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. 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 Bachelor of Design (Communication 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

Major 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
Concepts and Narratives Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO10001
Digital Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO10002
Typography Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO10005
Twentieth Century Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD10001
Semester 2
Packaging Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO10003
Photography for Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO10004
Visual Communication Studio Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO10007
Contemporary Design Issues Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD20004

Want to see the full range of course unit options?

Learn about all the co-majors, minors and electives you can take in the course handbook.

View course handbook

Year two

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Semester 1
Brand and Identity Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO20001
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO20009
User Interface Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO20004
Elective Elective unit
Semester 2
Publication Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD30013
Information Design Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DCO20003
Elective Elective unit
Elective Elective unit

Year three

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Semester 1
Industry Workshops Major unit, 25.0 credit points	DCO30011
Communication Design Strategy Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DDD30048
Elective Elective unit
Semester 2
Industry Placement 1 Major unit, 25.0 credit points	DES30061
Case Studies in Design Practice Major unit, 25.0 credit points	DCO30003

Year four

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Communication Design Honours Stream
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40001
Industry Placement 2 Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DES30062
Design-Led Innovation: Research Project Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40002
Communication Design Studio Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DCO40001
or
Design Factory Melbourne (Comm Design)
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
Bureau: Industry Projects Honours unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD40016
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)

$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.

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-DESCMN2

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-DESCMN2

Apply directly

Course code

BH-DESCMN2

CRICOS code

079130D

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.

VTAC Code (CSP)

3400236041

Apply through VTAC

VTAC Code (IFP)

3400236043

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Location

Start dates

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

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?

Wild animal inspired road safety campaign launches in Melbourne

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

Want to see the full range of course unit options?

Year two

Year three

Year four

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)