Combine your visual design skills with studies in 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.
- 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 2024 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.
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 Leading and Managing Organisations
COR109 Managing Across Global Cultures
DES101 International Trade and Finance
DES105 Accounting for Managers
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Managing Research
CMN120 Communication and Thought
CMN130 Introduction to Marketing
CMN140 Accounting for Business
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Introduction to Informatics
DES103 Introduction to Economics
DES104 Management and Organisational Behaviour
DES106 Business Analytics
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Marketing Communication
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Marketing of Social Causes
CMN216 Business Law and Ethics
CMN222 Consumer Behaviour
CMN224 Communication and Thought
CMN226 Introductory Counselling Skills
CMN227 Foundations of Human Behaviour
CMN228 Social Work and Human Services Practice
CMN231 Communication and Thought
CMN235 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession
CMN237 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
CMN240 Urbanism and Urban Design
CMN248 Applied Spatial Analysis and Geoprocessing
CMN249 Physical Geography and Mapping
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Hydrology and Geomorphology
DES212 Historical Geographies
DES213 Animals and Society
DES214 Teaching and Learning in English: Curriculum B
DES215 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum B
DES216 Regions, Change and Sustainability
e-Media Design major
DES221 Landscapes, Place and People
DES222 Introduction to Weather and Climate
DES223 Communication and Thought
DES224 Applied Geospatial Analysis
DES225 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
DES226 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
3D Design major
DES231 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts
DES232 Teaching Senior Secondary Geography
DES233 Individual Learner Needs
DES234 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
DES235 Teaching Junior Secondary Arts
DES236 Teaching Junior Secondary Geography
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). 2 electives must be advanced level (200 / 300 coded) courses.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
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)