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Arts and creative industries student
MC-DESIGN

Design

Master by coursework

Advance your knowledge of contemporary design practice and develop as an innovative design leader

See full course structure
  • Qualification
    Master of Design
  • Duration
    2 years full-time
  • Credit
    400
  • CRICOS
    103008B
  • Location
    Curtin Perth
See full course structure

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

Intake Application open Application close

Semester 1, 2023

15 August 2022

Applications now closed!

Semester 2, 2023

Applications now open!

14 July 2023

Semester 1, 2024

Applications now open!

8 February 2024

Semester 2, 2024

8 April 2024

4 July 2024

See full course structure

Why study Design at Curtin?

Top 1 %

Curtin is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

Get the Curtin edge

Access to leadership programs, specialist facilities and industry placements give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Global education

You’ll have access to a range of international study opportunities.

Design

Outline

Outline

The Master of Design caters for learners who are eager to become design leaders of the future through either a practice or leadership-oriented pathway, or a combination of both.

The course will deepen your understanding of design practice through theory-based and practical units that draw on contemporary and emerging design fields including experience design, social design and speculative design.

For professionals looking to develop leadership capabilities in design, units focusing on entrepreneurship, design-led innovation and design strategy will prepare you for senior or executive design roles.

Throughout your study you will have the opportunity to learn from experts across a range of design disciplines to inform your practice. You will engage with a community of fellow industry professionals and enterprises beyond the design industry to see how design can fuel innovation.

The course offers three levels of study, with completion of one level providing credit to the next. You can choose to exit the degree at the graduate certificate or graduate diploma level.

What you'll learn

  • develop an in-depth knowledge of their field of design practice articulated through the creation of new artefacts, services, products or processes
  • apply specialised knowledge, theories, frameworks and practices relevant to design leadership to inform design-led innovation
  • demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of design and reflect critically on design theory, practice and history in multiple cultural settings through space and time
  • apply advanced cognitive, technical and creative skills to the framing and interrogation of design problems to develop innovative design solutions
  • professionally communicate concepts, proposals, ideas, and final designs to the target audience in a highly accomplished (and persuasive) manner
  • synthesise complex, contextual and critical information drawn from global perspectives to inform design
  • apply emerging technologies effectively to their design practice and process to develop design innovations that fulfil individual, collective or societal needs
  • develop leadership ability, in the context of the design industry, to manage and work in interdisciplinary project teams and contexts
  • develop a lifelong commitment to the value of design and their design practice and be able to inform, advocate and communicate this value 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 a 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

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

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 charges

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

2023 Fee year:

$19,004*

Domestic

2024 Fee year:

$19,954*

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).

Important fee information

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2023

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2026

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. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now