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  • Arts and creative industries student
    GD-DESIGN

    Design

    Graduate diploma

    An advanced exploration of contemporary design practice and research

    Course outline
    • Qualification
      Graduate Diploma in Design
    • Duration

      Duration

      1 year full-time, part-time
    • Credit

      Credit

      200
    • CRICOS

      CRICOS

      103010H
    • Location

      Location

      Curtin Perth
    Course outline

    Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

    Select your preferred campus:

    Intake Application open Application close

    Semester 1, 2026

    21 April 2025

    Applications now closed!

    Semester 2, 2026

    Applications now open!

    2 July 2026

    Semester 1, 2027

    1 May 2026

    28 January 2027

    Semester 2, 2027

    1 March 2027

    1 July 2027

    Course outline

    Overview

    Overview

    This course is designed for students seeking an advanced exploration of contemporary design practice and research. In addition it provides a firm grounding in the theoretical, critical and practical aspects of design and its possibilities for transformation.

    The course is ideal for design leaders and managers, as well as design practitioners eager to develop new practice-based competencies to solve design problems.

    On successful completion of the graduate diploma, you may enrol in the master degree.

    What you'll learn

    • develop advanced knowledge of a field of design practice through the creation of new artefacts, services, products or processes
    • apply advanced knowledge, theories, frameworks and practices relevant to design-led innovation
    • demonstrate a critical reflection on design theory, practice and history in a social and cultural context and apply this thinking to design practice and process
    • apply knowledge of design to the identification, framing and interrogation of problems to develop appropriate design solutions
    • professionally communicate concepts, proposals, ideas, and final designs to audiences with clarity and vision
    • understand the complexity and global context of design and apply this to contemporary design practice
    • apply a practical knowledge of technologies effectively to design practice or process to communicate ideas, concepts and proposals in design
    • apply design practice and process for real-life application in industry and practice
    • develop an advanced understanding of the the value of design to communities, enterprises and public

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    Applicants are required to have either:

    • Work experience in Design or cognate areas, or
    • Bachelor degree in Design or cognate areas to enter this course.

    Applicants with work experience or a Bachelor degree in non-cognate areas, or other pathways, should contact the Course Coordinator.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Fees and scholarships

    Domestic fee paying postgraduate

    2026 Fee year:

    $23,484*

    Domestic

    Domestic

    Fees are indicative only.

    * Based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    Location

    For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

    Curtin Perth flag

    2026

    Semester 1
    • On campus
    Semester 2
    • On campus

    2027

    Semester 1
    • On campus
    Semester 2
    • On campus

    All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

    The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

    How to apply

    Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

    Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

    Apply now
    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

      View courses information disclaimer.

    • Curtin course code: GD-DESIGN
    • CRICOS code: 103010H
    • Last updated on: 20 March 2026

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