Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Media and Communication

Overview

Wield your words. Display your designs. Create with confidence. Do all this, and more, with our Bachelor of Design/ Bachelor of Media and Communication. Harness your creativity. Gain in-depth knowledge across the discipline of design. Boost your skillset in management, writing, business, media planning, and more. Plus, develop a page-turner of a portfolio. Emerge ready to sway hearts and change minds.

Check the Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Media and Communication 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.

This degree includes a capstone (final year) project which could see you working with places like City of Melbourne, and more.

Explore Work Integrated Learning

Skills you’ll learn

Creative problem solving
Digital prototyping
Idea generation
Media content creation
Critical and analytical thinking
Teamwork and collaboration

Your career opportunities

User experience designer
Design consultant
Digital designer
Copywriter
Media content creators
Advertising consultant

Key codes

CRICOS course code

095612G

VTAC Code (IFP)

3400211233

VTAC Code (CSP)

3400211231

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.

Professional accreditations

Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA)

Why Swinburne?

Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

5 stars for overall experience

Top 200 for Communication

#1 in Melbourne for overall experience

Sources

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]

64.55

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, any Business, Product Design and Technologies, any Humanities, Literature, Media, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making and Exhibiting, Systems Engineering, Theatre Studies 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;
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 minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent

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.

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.

Diploma of Design (UniLink)

Find out more (Diploma of Design (UniLink))

Diploma of Design (UniLink)

8 months full-time, 8 units max credit

Find out more (Diploma of Design (UniLink))
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)

Find out more (Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink))

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.

Learn more about pathways

Add your major

Add your major for a more personalised experience.

Add major

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design/ Bachelor of Media and Communication 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

4-year bachelor degree

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.

Bachelor of Design

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
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
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

Bachelor of Media and Communication

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Media Studies Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10001
Global Media Industries Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10008
Communicating with Data Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10012
Content Creator Lab Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10018
Professional Communication Practice Core unit , 12.5 credit points	COM10007
Media Content Creation Core unit , 12.5 credit points	JOU10007

Want to see the full range of electives?

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

View course handbook

Optional professional work placement

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Option 1
Work Experience in Industry A Practical unit, 25.0 credit points	WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Design Academic unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD20031
Work Experience in Industry B Practical unit, 25.0 credit points	WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Design Academic unit, 25.0 credit points	DDD20032
or
Option 2
Work Experience in Industry A Practical unit, 25.0 credit points	WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication Academic unit, 25.0 credit points	MDA20016
Work Experience in Industry B Practical unit, 25.0 credit points	WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication Academic unit, 25.0 credit points	MDA20017

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.

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

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.

Representatives and agents

BB-DESMCMN

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

BB-DESMCMN

Apply directly

Course code

BB-DESMCMN

CRICOS code

095612G

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)

3400211231

Apply through VTAC

VTAC Code (IFP)

3400211233

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

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

Professional accreditations

Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA)

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

Diploma of Design (UniLink)

Diploma of Design (UniLink)

Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)

Bachelor of Design

Bachelor of Media and Communication

Want to see the full range of electives?

Optional professional work placement

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

Applying through Early Entry Program?