Bachelor of Design and Communication | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Design and Communication

Combine visual design skills with communication.

Turn your passion into a fulfilling career with a Bachelor of Design and Communication. Gain hands-on experience to specialise in graphic design, e-Media and 3D design. Balance this with communication studies in editing, news, television and radio journalism, creative advertising and creative writing.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
074095J
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
3 years
Semester tuition fee 2018
A$11,200
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$67,200
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011031
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 18 Rank - 61
UniSC program code
AR336
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
on campus
Recommended prior study
English
Fee type 2018
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
24
Total units
288

Turn your passion into a fulfilling career with a Bachelor of Design and Communication. Gain hands-on experience to specialise in graphic design, e-Media and 3D design. Balance this with communication studies in editing, news, television and radio journalism, creative advertising and creative writing.

Our program offers guest lectures, workshops and connections with industry bodies including AGDA and Analogue Digital. You will develop the practical skills you need to design for web, print and emerging media, and learn how to communicate effectively using the language of design. Throughout your course you will produce work for real clients, develop a professional portfolio and exhibit in the USC Art Gallery giving you exposure to industry and potential employers to help you land your dream job.

You'll gain experience in areas such as advertising, journalism, television, creative writing, web design, animation, illustration, packaging, photography, typography, drawing, branding, digital design, communications and graphic design. Combined together, these elements give you the knowledge to become a highly creative visual communicator.

This degree prepares you to work in a range of creative industries, such as advertising, television, branding, merchandising, E-Media, graphic design and communication.

Majors

Communication majors: 3D design; e-media design; graphic design.

Career opportunities

Depending on courses selected, graphic design, editing, advertising, marketing, interpretive design, animation, photography, packaging, public relations, publishing, web design.

Admission requirements

Please refer to the English language entry requirements.

Program structure

Introductory courses (7)

CMN102 Education Research Project
COR109 Professional Learning I
DES101 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
DES105 Pedagogies for Engagement

PLUS select 1 course from:

CMN116 Leadership for Learning Communities
CMN120 Assessment: Principles and Practices
CMN130 Contemporary Issues in Education
CMN140 Second Language Acquisition and Learning

PLUS select 2 courses from:

DES102 Second Language Teaching Methodologies
DES103 Communication and Thought
DES104 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
DES106 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Advanced courses (12)

CMN213 Science Research Methods

PLUS select 5 courses from:

CMN216 Creativity and Communication
CMN222 Communication and Thought
CMN224 The Language of Design
CMN226 Introduction to Design and Concept
CMN228 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN231 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN235 Introduction to Journalism
CMN237 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN240 Visual Storytelling
CMN248 Fundamentals of Photographic Practice
CMN249 Art, Design and Visual Culture
CMN302 Typography
CMN305 Editing for the Communications Professional

PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:

Graphic Design major

DES211 Risk, Crisis and Issues Management
DES212 Multimedia Advertising
DES213 Advertising Campaigns
DES214 Advertising: Copy and Image
DES215 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
DES216 Communication Campaign Planning

e-Media Design major

DES221 News Writing and Reporting
DES222 Online Journalism
DES223 Feature Writing
DES224 Creative Advertising
DES225 Television & Video Journalism
DES226 Investigative and Data Journalism

3D Design major

DES231 News Rounds
DES232 Visual Identity
DES233 Visual Communication & Meaning
DES234 Graphic Design C
DES235 Graphic Design D
DES236 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project

Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .

Elective courses (5)

Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
  • The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream
  • Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1, following the successful completion of DES105
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
  • You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
  • Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)