Bachelor of Design

Create products, visuals and experiences with UC’s ultimate design degree.

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Bachelor of Design

Download a Bachelor of Design brochure

Design online course brochure

Study a Bachelor of Design

Bring ideas to life and create solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow with UC’s Bachelor of Design.

Build practical experience

From day one of your design course, you’ll learn by doing, creating across different areas of design. You might prototype interactive products, develop game concepts, explore visual communication, or experiment with industrial design. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is built into the course, giving you opportunities to apply your skills in professional settings and graduate with experience, skills and a portfolio that showcases your expertise.

Learn in creative spaces

You’ll study design in innovative, state-of-the-art spaces like Workshop7 and the 3D printing lab, with access to industry-standard programs and tools. Whether you’re exploring visual communication, game design or UX, you’ll have the chance to experiment, collaborate and push your creative thinking further.

Choose your design major

In your first semester, you’ll complete core units that develop essential design skills while letting you explore different study areas. From Game Development and Interaction Design to Industrial Design and Visual Communication, you’ll have the flexibility to find your focus before deciding on your major.

Study level

Undergraduate

Delivery mode

On campus
Blended

ATAR

60

Portfolio entry option

Study duration

3 years, full-time

Intake dates

16 February 2026 
10 August 2026

Course unit cost

Commonwealth Supported Places available.

Conditions apply. 

Want to know more?

Schedule a call with our friendly team to learn more about the Bachelor of Design.

Specialist majors

Game Development

Game Development

Interaction Design

Industrial Design

Visual Communication Design

Course highlights

  

Start creating from your first semester with hands-on projects that build your skills and confidence.

  

Explore how new technologies like AI are shaping design, and learn how to use them with a creative and ethical mindset.

  

Be part of a close-knit design community where collaboration and feedback help you grow as a designer.

  

Use design thinking to solve problems that matter and communicate ideas in ways that connect with people.

  

Graduate with a portfolio that shows your creativity, adaptability and readiness for different design careers.

  

Connect with industry through UC’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL), building experience and relationships that support your future.

Design course details

UC's Bachelor of Design has six core units. These form the foundation of your degree, giving you essential skills in creativity, visualisation and design thinking.

Explore your core Design units:

Learn more

UC’s Bachelor of Design opens the door to a wide range of careers across technology, product development, creative industries and digital innovation. 

With a strong foundation in design thinking, visual communication and hands-on practice, you’ll graduate ready to create impactful solutions and experiences across diverse sectors that value creativity, problem-solving and human-centred design.

Career opportunities include:

  • UX Designer
  • UI Designer
  • Game Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Product Designer
  • Visual Communication Designer
  • Industrial Designer
  • 3D Modeller
  • UX Researcher
  • Design Strategist

For entry into UC’s Bachelor of Design, you will need one of the following:

  • Year 12 ATAR of 60+
  • Other Australian qualification
  • Relevant work experience, or
  • An overseas qualification

Alternative admission pathways

If you don’t meet the ATAR requirement for your preferred course, UC offers alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes that give you the chance to apply in other ways.

Portfolio Entry

You can also apply for the Bachelor of Design through our Portfolio Entry option. This pathway lets you showcase your creative work instead of relying only on academic results.

Your portfolio might include drawings, digital designs, prototypes, game concepts, branding ideas or other examples of your creative interests.

Portfolio Entry is a great pathway if you:

  • Do not meet the admission requirements for the course
  • Are in Year 12 and want to secure early entry to university
  • Have partially completed vocational education or training
  • Are a mature-age applicant without a secondary school qualification or previous university experience

More information is available on the Portfolio Entry page.

Admission programs

UC also offers various entry initiatives giving you the opportunity to gain entry to the University via alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes. More information is available on our Alternative Entry page.

Study your course with reduced fees.

A course with Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) means the Australian Government has subsidised a portion of your degree, reducing the total balance you are required to pay (known as the student contribution amount).

The CSP amount is determined by the course you are undertaking and the industry you'll be working in after graduation.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Some students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may be eligible to apply to defer payment of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government's FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP schemes. 

Visit our fees page for useful information about eligibility and how to apply and pay. You can apply for FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP once you have enrolled in a course. 

Visit HECS-HELP

Student gallery

Visual Communication student gallery

Visual Communication

Industrial design student gallery

Industrial Design

Interaction design student gallery

Interaction Design

Showcases student gallery

Showcases

Design FAQs

Because we're the home of creative education! We’re rated 5 stars for full-time undergraduate employment in the Creative Arts* and ranked number one in Canberra for student support, skills development and full-time employment outcomes*.

With access to Canberra’s thriving design community, government agencies, national institutions and industry partners, studying a Bachelor of Design at UC connects you to real opportunities from day one. Whether you want to design products, create digital experiences, develop games or build visual brands, this is where you begin.

Our students learn in state-of-the-art facilities, including creative studios, 3D printing labs and digital design workshops. This is where you’ll build a portfolio, get hands-on experience and develop the confidence to turn design skills into career opportunities.

Forget the myth that creative degrees don’t lead to jobs. We're #1 in Canberra and #4 in Australia for full-time creative employment!* Our graduates are working in all kinds of design jobs, from UX and UI design, industrial design, product design, game development, graphic design and more.

*GUG, 2025

UC’s Bachelor of Design is available in both blended and on campus delivery modes.

Alongside on campus learning, many units also offer online study options, giving you the flexibility to balance coursework with other commitments. You’ll benefit from face-to-face learning in labs, studios and workshops, combined with online access to lectures, materials, discussions and selected unit content.

Whether you choose to focus on interaction design, industrial design, visual communication or game development, you’ll be able to enjoy a flexible structure that supports part-time work, internships and other commitments alongside your studies.

You can apply for UC’s Bachelor of Design without an ATAR through our Portfolio Entry option. This pathway lets you showcase your creative work as part of your application, instead of relying only on academic results.

Whether you’re interested in interaction design, visual communication, industrial design or game development, your portfolio can include drawings, digital designs, prototypes, branding ideas, game concepts or other pieces that highlight your creative potential.

Portfolio Entry is a great pathway to university if you:

  • Do not meet the admission requirements for the course you want to study
  • Are in Year 12 and would like to secure early entry to university
  • Have partially completed vocational education or training
  • Are a mature-age student without a secondary school qualification or previous university experience
Learn more about Portfolio Entry

A credit transfer arrangement may be available for the Bachelor of Design depending on the institution, qualification or completed units.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Want to chat about your options? Get in touch with our team to learn more about studying a Bachelor of Design. 

At UC, we’re here to help you succeed! Once you’re ready to apply to UC, our process depends on your student type and course. You can find all the requirements, criteria and processes on the Apply to UC page.

If you have further questions or would like assistance with your application, you can get in touch with our Future Student team.

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Let's get learning

Whether you’re just exploring your options or already know what you want to study, we’re here to help!

Download a Bachelor of Design brochure or get in touch with the UC team to have your questions answered, including:

  • Finding the right design major
  • Studying design online
  • How to apply
  • Tuition cost and fees