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.
Last intake Semester 2, 2018
- 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) 84 units
CMN102 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
COR109 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
DES101 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
DES105 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
CMN116 Positive Psychology for Counselling
CMN120 Counselling Development and Supervision 1
CMN130 Counselling Development and Supervision 2
CMN140 Counselling Placement 1
PLUS select 2 courses (24 units) from:
DES102 Counselling Placement 2
DES103 Developmental and Family Counselling
DES104 Introduction to Human Development
DES106 Social Research
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 144 units
CMN213 Understanding Cultural Diversity
PLUS select 5 courses (60 units) from:
CMN216 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
CMN222 Creativity and Communication
CMN224 Communication and Thought
CMN226 The Language of Design
CMN228 Introduction to Design and Concept
CMN231 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN235 Public Relations: Contemporary Perspectives
CMN237 Introduction to Journalism
CMN240 Introduction to Creative Advertising
CMN248 Visual Storytelling
CMN249 Fundamentals of Photographic Practice
CMN302 Art, Design and Visual Culture
CMN305 Typography
PLUS select 6 courses (72 units) from your chosen major study area:
Graphic Design major
DES211 Editing for the Communications Professional
DES212 Risk, Crisis and Issues Management
DES213 Multimedia Advertising
DES214 Advertising Campaigns
DES215 Advertising: Copy and Image
DES216 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
e-Media Design major
DES221 Communication Campaign Planning
DES222 News Writing and Reporting
DES223 Online Journalism
DES224 Feature Writing
DES225 Creative Advertising
DES226 Television & Video Journalism
3D Design major
DES231 Investigative and Data Journalism
DES232 News Rounds
DES233 Visual Identity
DES234 Visual Communication & Meaning
DES235 Graphic Design C
DES236 Graphic Design D
Please note: Students must commence the advanced design courses in Semester 1 following the successful completion of DES105 .
Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
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
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- The 6 developing and graduate courses (72 units) 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
- 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)