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.
- 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.
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 Anatomy and Physiology
COR109 Allied Health Assistance A
DES101 Think Health
DES105 Introduction to Psychology A
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Creativity and Communication
CMN120 Communication and Thought
CMN130 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
CMN140 Introduction to Design
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
DES103 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
DES104 Introduction to Journalism
DES106 Introduction to Creative Advertising
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN216 Digital Photographic Practice
CMN222 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
CMN224 Typography
CMN226 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN228 Risk, Crisis and Issues Management
CMN231 Multimedia Advertising
CMN235 Advertising Campaigns
CMN237 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN240 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
CMN248 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN249 News Writing and Reporting
CMN302 Online Journalism
CMN305 Feature Writing
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Creative Advertising
DES212 Television & Video Journalism
DES213 Investigative and Data Journalism
DES214 News Rounds
DES215 Graphic Design A
DES216 Graphic Design B
e-Media Design major
DES221 Graphic Design C
DES222 Graphic Design D
DES223 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
DES224 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
DES225 e-Media A
DES226 e-Media B
3D Design major
DES231 e-Media C
DES232 e-Media D
DES233 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
DES234 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
DES235 3D Design A
DES236 3D Design B
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)