CRICOS Code: 096972J

This program applies to students who commenced in 2019 or later. 

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year 2017 to 2018 - Please refer to 6011.1 - Diploma in Design/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) degree will provide you with fundamental skills and knowledge to communicate ideas and information across a wide range of visual media. With an emphasis on studio-based practice, you will study areas such as image design, typography, layout design, branding, design history, research methods, and web-based design. From year two, there are opportunities to engage with live community or industry projects, and you will choose two practical design pairings from the following pairs: motion design and data visualisation; game and app design; illustration; and photography. You may also choose electives from outside of design such as advertising and media production. Throughout the program you will engage with individual and team-based projects, develop your conceptual thinking skills, use a variety of traditional and emerging technologies, and expand your creative practice. In year four you will take a position in our award-winning teaching design studio where you will gain experience in a professional learning environment, preparing you for work in an exciting and evolving industry.

The first year of this program is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Design exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the program.

Students may exit with 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies after successful completion of the first three years of the program.

For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.

Western Sydney University, The College

For program advice during your first year of study, please use the contact below under ‘Program Advice’. For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication).

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 100 credit points with a 7044 Diploma in Design (exit only) or on completion of 260 credit points with a 1624 Bachelor of Design Studies (exit only)

Study Mode

Four years full-time or part-time equivalent.

Program Advice

College Course Enquiries

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Full Time	Internal	See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Part Time	Internal	See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct	Full Time	Internal	See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct	Part Time	Internal	See above

Accreditation

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent requirements

Admission

For more information on applying please see link to The College admission pages below.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thecollege/how_to_apply

Domestic students are required to have

• Completed an English subject in the NSW Higher School Certificate, Or
• Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker) Or
• Passed The College English test with 70% or higher Or
• Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject at C grade level or higher.

Met other entry requirements such as

• An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, Or
• Completed The College Foundation Studies program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

International students must satisfy one of the following language requirements

• IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each sub band Or
• Completed the College EAP 4 program with a 50% pass Or
• Passed The College English test with 70% or higher Or
• Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject at C grade level or higher for which advanced standing can be applied for.

Academic Entry Requirements vary according to country of origin. However, in general

• Completion of Year 12 or its equivalent is the minimum entry requirement Or
• Completed The College Foundation Studies program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 340 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Western Sydney University The College Subjects

Bankstown and Penrith Campus

Please note that all campuses may not have intakes each year.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1		Credit Points
First Term of Study
Preparatory Subjects
LANG 0003	Academic English (WSTC Prep)	10
DESN 0002	The Design Process (WSTC Prep)	10
GEDU 0007	Tertiary Study Skills in Design (WSTC Prep)	0
DESN 1004	Design Histories and Futures (WSTC)	10
Second Term of Study
DESN 1010	Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles (WSTC)	20
DESN 1012	Image Design (WSTC)	10
Third Term of Study
DESN 1019	Visual Storytelling (WSTC)	10
DESN 1022	Web and Time-based Design (WSTC)	10
DESN 1008	Graphic Design: Process and Practice (WSTC)	20
	Credit Points	100
	Total Credit Points	100

Students may exit at this point and graduate with the Diploma in Design following a passing grade in all of the above subjects. Students who progress onto Year 2 may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the above subjects.

• Students must pass all College Preparatory subjects before progressing to the Year 2 subjects.
• Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level subjects in Year 1 before progressing to the Year 2 subjects.

Western Sydney University Subjects

For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication).

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Parramatta (Victoria Road) Campus

Students must complete two pairs of Design specialist subject pairings.

Students can also choose to complete further Design specialist subjects as elective choices.

Subject List

Subject	Title	Credit Points
Illustration
DESN 2007	Illustrating Narrative	10
DESN 3007	Illustrating Popular Culture	10
Interactive
DESN 3008	Interactive Design: Apps	10
COMM 2019	Interactive Design: Games	10
Photomedia
VISU 3002	Photomedia: Fashion and Identity	10
DESN 2013	Photomedia: Photographic Practice	10
Digital Design
DESN 3002	Data Visualisation	10
DESN 2011	Motion Design	10

Plan of Study Grid

Year 2
Autumn session		Credit Points
DESN 2005	Graphic Design: Interactive Digital Media	20
DESN 2014	Researching the Visual	10
Select one Design specialist subject from the selected subject pairing		10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
DESN 2006	Graphic Design: The Professional Context	20
DESN 2001	Australian Design	10
Select one Design specialist subject from the selected subject pairing		10
	Credit Points	40
Year 3
Autumn session
DESN 3013	Social Design: Research and Practice	10
DESN 3001	Contextual Design Studies	10
Select one Design specialist subject from the selected subject pairing		10
Select one elective		10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
DESN 3006	Graphic Design: Developing a Personal Portfolio	10
DESN 3003	Design Research Project	10
Select one Design specialist subject from the selected subject pairing		10
Select one elective (may include COMM 2048 - Communicating for Sustainability)		10
Students may exit with Bachelor of Design Studies after successful completion of 260 credit points in the first three years of the program sequence.
	Credit Points	40
Year 4
1H session
DESN 4005	Major Design Project	10
	Credit Points	10
Autumn session
DESN 4007	Professional Design Experience: The Studio	20
Select one elective		10
	Credit Points	30
2H session
DESN 4005	Major Design Project	10
	Credit Points	10
Spring session
DESN 4006	Professional Design Experience: The Individual Practitioner	20
Select one elective		10
	Credit Points	30
	Total Credit Points	240

Minor Elective Spaces

Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved minor (40 credit points).

Elective Minor which may be available.

Advertising Studies, Minor

Major and Minor elective spaces

Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved major (80 credit points) or minor (40 credit points).  Western Sydney University offers majors and minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Global Sustainability Minor  
Indigenous Australian Studies Major   
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor

Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.

Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change   
Personal Innovation    
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving 
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life 
Climate Justice
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate. Strategise. Innovate. 
Humanising Data

Search for majors and minors

Students can apply for an elective major or minor via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)