Bachelor of Design

Create products, visuals and experiences with UC鈥檚 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 be supported to think big with UC's Bachelor of Design.

Build practical experience

At UC, you鈥檒l start visualising, designing and creating from day one of your design course. From prototyping interactive products, developing game concepts, exploring visual communication to experimenting with industrial design, we're here to help you find and expand your passion. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is built into all of our design majors, ensuring you get opportunities to apply your skills in professional settings. By graduation, you'll have the experience, skills and a portfolio that showcases your expertise.

Learn in creative spaces

You鈥檒l study design in our innovative, purpose-built environments designed for collaboration, creativity and production. Our facilities include two specialised Mac labs, five fully equipped PC labs and dedicated design studios. 

In our state-of-the-art Workshop7, UC鈥檚 advanced fabrication hub, you鈥檒l find 3D printing, CNC manufacturing, laser cutting, 3D visualisation, VR and AR technologies alongside a comprehensive range of manual tools for metal, timber, and plastics.

Choose your design major

In your first year, you鈥檒l choose your specialisation and start building a foundational knowledge of design. If you're not sure what you want to focus on, you can choose our general specialist Design Major, ensuring you develop essential design skills while exploring different areas.

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

Design

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 design and hands-on practice, you鈥檒l 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鈥檚 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鈥檛 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 .

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鈥檙e 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鈥檚 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鈥檒l 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鈥檛 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鈥檚 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鈥檒l 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 study a specialist major in design, or specialise in 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鈥檚 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鈥檙e 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鈥檙e here to help you succeed! Once you鈥檙e 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.

Bachelor of design footer

Let's get learning

Whether you鈥檙e just exploring your options or already know what you want to study, we鈥檙e 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