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 Introduction to Informatics
COR109 Communication and Thought
DES101 Business Law and Ethics
DES105 Strategic Management
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
CMN120 Cross-Cultural Management
CMN130 Small Business and New Venture Management
CMN140 Advanced Strategic Management
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Quality Management
DES103 ICT Project Management
DES104 Project Management
DES106 Business Analytics 2
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Leadership and Team Dynamics
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Managing Organisational Change
CMN216 Business Analytics
CMN222 Introduction to Economics
CMN224 Management and Organisational Behaviour
CMN226 Introduction to Marketing
CMN227 Business Law and Ethics
CMN228 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
CMN231 Communication and Thought
CMN235 Accounting Principles
CMN237 Introduction to Informatics
CMN240 Introduction to Financial Planning
CMN248 Retirement and Superannuation
CMN249 Insurance and Risk Management
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Personal Investment Management
DES212 Financial Accounting
DES213 Business Finance
DES214 Law of Business Associations
DES215 Company Accounting
DES216 Management Accounting
e-Media Design major
DES221 Taxation Law and Practice
DES222 Contemporary Accounting Issues
DES223 Auditing and Professional Practice
DES224 Business Analytics
DES225 Introduction to Economics
DES226 Management and Organisational Behaviour
3D Design major
DES231 Introduction to Marketing
DES232 Accounting for Business
DES233 Introduction to Informatics
DES234 Communication and Thought
DES235 Supply Chain Management
DES236 Business Law and Ethics
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, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
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 your selected major and/or minor
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