If COVID-19 restrictions apply, we may need to make changes to units and/or delivery modes.

Design
Bachelor Degree
B-DESIGN
Outline
Learn to design through project-based activities using industry-standard equipment, technologies and media platforms.

If COVID-19 restrictions apply, we may need to make changes to units and/or delivery modes.
This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.
Transferable skills
Humanities courses teach transferable skills for international careers.
Get the Curtin edge
Access to leadership programs, specialist facilities and industry placements give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Broad career options
Tailor your degree to suit your career aspirations.
If design is your passion, this flexible degree offers a number of exciting majors that will develop your practical skills in a global context, so you can take your career anywhere in the world.
Throughout the three-year program you will learn through project-based activities and have the opportunity to work together with students from other disciplines, mirroring a real industry environment.
You'll use industry-standard equipment and software, and graduate with a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates your skills to future employers.
Create your dream degree
STEP A: CHOOSE A MAJOR
Select an area that inspires you:
- Advertising and Design
- Animation and Game Design
- Design Innovation and Fabrication
- Digital Experience and Interaction Design
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Photography
STEP B: CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE DESIGN SPECIALISATION
This step usually happens after you accept Curtin’s offer for your chosen major.
You can study up to two specialisations in Design. If you have interests outside the field of design, you may choose elective units or a second specialisation in a complementary study area such as business, arts or languages to gain a wider skill set.
Each option is subject to availability:
Option 1: One Design specialisation and four elective units
Option 2: One Design specialisation and one non-Design specialisation
Option 3: Two Design specialisations
Available Design specialisations are:
- Animation and Game Design
- Creative Advertising Design
- Digital Design
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Photography*
*The Photography specialisation is not available to students who have selected Photography as their major.
See the full list of specialisations.
Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.
Why study
You will benefit from having transferable skills to adapt to changing employment trends without having to retrain.
This flexible course allows you to choose one or two areas of design that suit your career aspirations, as well as providing opportunities to study complementary electives such as business, arts and languages, so you can become more competitive in the job market.
How this course will make you industry ready
In your final year you will be given the opportunity to complete a capstone unit. You will explore interdisciplinary themes through the creation of design-focused projects, and benefit from strong links with industry across the design majors. The networks and skills you'll develop in this unit will ensure you graduate industry-ready.
Student profile
View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
Professional recognition
Professional membership is available with the Design Institute of Australia.
Career information
- Graphic designer
- Fashion designer
- Electronic game developer
- Creative Director
- Illustrator
- Photojournalist
- Photographer
- Design educator
- Entrepreneur
- Production manager
What you'll learn
- apply discipline knowledge to critically review, analyse, consolidate and contribute to evidence-based practice in their chosen design discipline
- demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in both a broad understanding of design and with depth in at least one discipline
- use and discern between a range of design technologies and media platforms in the production of design-based solutions
- demonstrate effective visual, spoken, written and technical communication appropriate to their chosen design discipline and apply effective self-directed learning skills
- demonstrate personal awareness of a design specific practice and sustain an engagement with contemporary practices, technologies and the creative industries
- develop a predictive overview of future trends that will influence design and design practices
- recognise the importance of social, ethical and cultural diversity and consider local and international perspectives in design activities, studio practice and production
- demonstrate how intercultural awareness and understanding impacts on personal and professional skills and on the ability to lead
- work independently and collaboratively on design projects and respond to project demands
Admission criteria
Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.
IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) | |
---|---|
Writing | 6.0 |
Speaking | 6.0 |
Reading | 6.0 |
Listening | 6.0 |
Overall band score | 6.5 |
You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.
I recently attended high school
Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the achievement of the required ATAR within the last two years. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.
- Guaranteed ATAR : 70
- STAT entry : Written English, MC Verbal and Quantitative
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Other admission options
Other admission options
We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.
Recipients of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship will receive an early offer to study this course.
Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.
If you’re an indigenous applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.
Lowest selection rank to which a recent Year 12 student offer was made (including the consideration of any equity or other adjustment factors)
View the lowest selection rank (incorporating ATAR plus any adjustments) of an applicant to which an offer of a place was made in the most relevant recent intake period, this includes any ATAR adjustments.
Selection rank adjustments (previously referred to as ATAR related adjustments)
Details of the types of adjustment factors (bonus points) commonly available to applicants can be found on our StepUp to Curtin webpage.
ATAR and selection rank profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most recent intake period
View data on the ATAR and selection rank profile of offers made from the most relevant recent intake period.
I have work and life experience
Applicants with work and life experience are those who left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.
- Guaranteed ATAR : 70
- STAT entry : Written English, MC Verbal and Quantitative
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
I’ve studied at TAFE or done an apprenticeship
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.
- Guaranteed ATAR : 70
- STAT entry : Written English, MC Verbal and Quantitative
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
I’ve gone to university before
Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.
Not all Curtin courses accept course switchers from other institutions.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Higher education course switcher criteria
To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have met:
- The admission criteria for minimum entry
Specifically, some majors may require a portfolio or interview.
Advanced standing
At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.
You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.
If this applies to you, you can apply for credit for recognised learning (CRL), which means your previous study is recognised and matched against a similar unit in your intended Curtin course.
A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.
Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:
Webform: Submit here
Curtin Connect: 1300 222 888
Fees & charges
Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees
Fee year: 2022
Student type | Cost |
---|---|
Commonwealth supported | $8,800* |
Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.
*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.
This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website
If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.
Location
For start dates, please view the academic calendar.
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.
Help is at hand
See our frequently asked questions or get in touch with us below.
- What are the alternative pathways into Curtin?
- What scholarships are available?
- What are my options to manage my study load?
- Browse all FAQs
- Opening hours:
- Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm, except Tues: 9.30am – 4.30pm (AWST). Closed public holidays.
- Curtin course code: B-DESIGN
- CRICOS code: 098137F
- Last updated on: 11/08/2022