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 Innovation and Management Decision Making*
COR109 Supply Chain Management
DES101 Logistics Management
DES105 Service Operations Management
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Retail Supply Chain Management
CMN120 Quality Management
CMN130 Supply Chain Strategy and Design
CMN140 Supply Chain Information and Technology
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Innovation and Management Decision Making*
DES103 Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
DES104 Retail Supply Chain Management and Procurement
DES106 Supply Chain Sustainability and Risk Management
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Supply Chain Management
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN216 Accounting for Managers
CMN222 Economics for Managers
CMN224 Managing Research
CMN226 Corporate Finance
CMN228 Managing Organisations
CMN231 Strategic Management
CMN235 Research Project
CMN237 Marketing Management
CMN240 Innovation and Management Decision Making
CMN248 International Business Law and Ethics
CMN249 Managing Across Global Cultures
CMN302 International Trade and Finance
CMN305 Marketing in an International Environment
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Health Sector Business Management
DES212 Management Informatics
DES213 Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Business and Management
DES214 Managing People
DES215 Global Business Management
DES216 Entrepreneurship and Venture Planning
e-Media Design major
DES221 Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
DES222 Leveraging Innovation, Design and Creativity
DES223 Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
DES224 Food Marketing
DES225 Project Management Principles
DES226 Project Risk
3D Design major
DES231 Project Planning
DES232 Project Integration
DES233 Communication and Thought
DES234 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
DES235 Introductory Counselling Skills
DES236 Introduction to Psychology A
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)