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 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 Business, Governance and Society
COR109 Communication Theory and Practice
DES101 Communication and Thought
DES105 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
PLUS select 1 course from:
CMN116 Introduction to Design
CMN120 Introduction to Creative Writing
CMN130 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN140 Introduction to Journalism
PLUS select 2 courses from:
DES102 Introduction to Creative Advertising
DES103 Ways of Seeing: Understanding Images
DES104 Digital Photographic Practice
DES106 Visual Worlds: An Introduction to Art and Design History
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Typography
PLUS select 5 courses from:
CMN214 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN216 Investigative and Data Journalism
CMN222 Risk, Crisis and Issues Management
CMN224 Multimedia Advertising
CMN226 Advertising Campaigns
CMN227 Advertising: Copy and Image
CMN228 News Rounds
CMN231 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
CMN235 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN237 News Writing and Reporting
CMN240 Online Journalism
CMN248 Feature Writing
CMN249 Creative Advertising
PLUS select 6 courses from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Television & Video Journalism
DES212 Graphic Design A
DES213 Graphic Design B
DES214 Graphic Design C
DES215 Graphic Design D
DES216 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
e-Media Design major
DES221 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
DES222 e-Media A
DES223 e-Media B
DES224 e-Media C
DES225 e-Media D
DES226 e-media E - Internship/Professional Project
3D Design major
DES231 e-Media F - Professional Portfolio
DES232 3D Design A
DES233 3D Design B
DES234 3D Design C
DES235 3D Design D
DES236 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project
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