Combine your visual design skills with studies in communication.
Gain hands-on experience in computer-based design to specialise in graphic design, e-Media and 3D design. Balance this with communication studies in public relations, journalism, creative advertising and creative writing to become a master of words.
- 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.
Gain hands-on experience in computer-based design to specialise in graphic design, e-Media and 3D design. Balance this with communication studies in public relations, journalism, creative advertising and creative writing to become a master of words.
Taught by industry professionals, our program offers guest lectures, workshops and connections with industry bodies including AGDA and Analogue Digital. In your final year, complete an internship or professional project to work for real clients. Earn valuable experience while building your design reputation and portfolio.
You’ll exhibit in the USC Art Gallery and the School of Communication – Design online gallery giving you exposure to industry and potential employers. Open doors to careers in advertising, graphic design, marketing, public relations and web design.
Majors
Communication majors: 3D design; e-media design; graphic design.
Career opportunities
Depending on courses selected, graphic design, editing, advertising, marketing, interpretive design, animation, multimedia design, packaging, public relations, publishing, web design.
Admission requirements
Please refer to the English language entry requirements.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7)
CMN102 Diversity, Crime and Justice
COR109 Introduction to Human Development
DES101 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
DES105 Homicide, Investigations & Forensic Science
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Youth Justice & Restorative Justice
CMN120 Professional Placement
CMN130 Introduction to Cyber Crime
CMN140 Applied Crime Prevention
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Criminal Law
DES103 Motivation and Emotion
DES104 Crime Research Methods
DES106 Working with Victims and Offenders
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 International Justice and Human Rights
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Advanced Methods in Psychology
CMN216 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
CMN222 Personality and Assessment
CMN224 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
CMN226 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
CMN227 Human Associative Learning
CMN228 Abnormal Psychology
CMN231 Adult Development and Ageing
CMN235 English Language and Literacy
CMN237 Foundations of Outdoor Environmental Studies
CMN240 Introduction to Coaching Science
CMN248 Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise
CMN249 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Outdoor Living and Travel Skills
DES212 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
DES213 Active Lifestyle Nutrition
DES214 Motor Control and Learning
DES215 Leading Groups in Outdoor Environments
DES216 Outdoor Environmental Expeditions
e-Media Design major
DES221 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
DES222 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
DES223 The Psychology of Learning
DES224 Advanced Sports Nutrition
DES225 Leading Coastal Environmental Studies
DES226 Assessing Learning
3D Design major
DES231 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
DES232 Teaching Junior Secondary HPE
DES233 Teaching Senior Secondary HPE
DES234 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
DES235 Using Data for Learning
DES236 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
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, 2 must be advanced level (200 / 300 coded) courses.
Up to 5 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 7 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 12 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 5 elective courses, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete a major design area.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- 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 including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- The 6 advanced courses from one of the design streams, plus DES101 and DES105 , will constitute a major in that stream.
- Some of the required introductory courses may count towards some majors and minors
- Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1, following the successful completion of DES105 .
- When enrolling, refer to Study Plan.