Diploma in Design/Bachelor of Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary) (6013)

  • Approved Abbreviation: DGraphDes/BGraphDes
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 6013
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 096973G

This program applies to students who commenced in Term 1, 2021 or later.

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

For Commencement Year 2017 to 2020, please refer to 6013.1 - Diploma in Design/Bachelor of Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary)

The Bachelor of Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary) is a three-year degree specially designed to lead into the Master of Teaching (Secondary), an accredited postgraduate teaching qualification. Together, the two degrees provide direct access to a teaching career and improved prospects for career advancement.

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, you will develop a focus on digital design, photography, and graphics technology, enabling you to develop two teaching disciplines, Design & Technology and Graphics & Multimedia Technology. In year three, you will also study an Education Studies – Secondary Teaching minor, where you will gain an understanding of contemporary education issues, teaching and learning. Students who complete this degree are eligible for 40 credit points advanced standing (the first semester of the M Teaching (Secondary) or M Teaching (Secondary) STEM). As well as being equipped with the necessary elements of an initial teacher qualification, you will be prepared for professional graphic design practice and associated alternate employment opportunities in design.

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.

For further information concerning the requirements for secondary teaching, students are advised to consult the Subject Content Requirements for Primary and Secondary Teaching NSW (Abridged) from the NSW Institute of Teachers or the School of Education.

https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/ae7db0fc-4a6d-4904-b635-f70147e0dc3c/subject-content-knowledge-requirements-recent.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=

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

Western Sydney University, The College

Early Exit

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

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Program Advice

For program advice during Year 1, please contact The College: College Program Enquiries

For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please contact the School of Humanities & Communication Arts.

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

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road2 Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct1 Full Time Internal See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct Part Time Internal See above
1

Students will study at WSU - The College Nirimba campus in their first year of study.

2

From second year onwards, students will study at Parramatta Campus (Victoria Road).

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 260 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

The early exit College Diploma consists of 100 credit points which includes three College Preparatory subjects.

Western Sydney University The College Subjects

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

Full-time intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
First Term of Study  
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 Points100
 Total Credit Points100

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 Two 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 Two subjects.
  • Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level subjects in Year One before progressing to the Year Two 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 Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary).

Bachelor of Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary)

Parramatta (Victoria Road) Campus

First Teaching Area - Design and Technology

Students must complete the following Design specialist subject pairings as their first teaching area.

Subject Title Credit Points
Design Specialist Pairing 1: Photomedia
VISU 3002Photomedia: Fashion and Identity10
DESN 2013Photomedia: Photographic Practice10
Design Specialist Pairing 2: Digital Design
DESN 3002Data Visualisation10
DESN 2011Motion Design10

Second Teaching Area - Graphics and Multimedia

Students must also complete one of the following minors

Education Studies - Secondary Teaching

Students must also complete the following Education Studies - Secondary Teaching minor.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
Year 2
Autumn sessionCredit Points
DESN 2014 Researching the Visual 10
DESN 2013 Photomedia: Photographic Practice 10
Select two Graphics and Multimedia minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
DESN 2001 Australian Design 10
VISU 3002 Photomedia: Fashion and Identity 10
Select two Graphics and Multimedia minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
DESN 3001 Contextual Design Studies 10
DESN 2011 Motion Design 10
Select two Education Studies – Secondary Teaching minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
DESN 3006 Graphic Design: Developing a Personal Portfolio 10
DESN 3002 Data Visualisation 10
Select two Education Studies – Secondary Teaching minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points160