COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Design is organised into four interconnected parts that together develop your conceptual, technical and professional capabilities. Part A, Foundation Studies, introduces the essential principles, conceptual frameworks and technical skills required for advanced postgraduate work. This stage ensures that all students, regardless of background, are equipped with the fundamental tools needed to progress confidently into specialised study. Part B, Studio Practices, forms the core of the course, allowing you to apply advanced design problem-solving methods in a professional context. Through practical studio-based work, you will refine your design research skills, analyse complex challenges and produce outcomes informed by research, critique and creative experimentation. Part C, Critical Contexts, complements the studio experience by strengthening your research abilities and deepening your understanding of the theoretical, cultural and historical dimensions of design. These units support your practice and prepare you to articulate your ideas with academic and professional rigour. In your final semester, you undertake a major design project or participate in a leading industry project, bringing together your conceptual thinking, technical competency, entrepreneurial skills and design management knowledge. Part D, Discipline Electives, offers the flexibility to broaden or deepen your expertise by selecting units aligned with your interests or career goals, helping you shape a personalised design trajectory. Entry into the course is determined by your previous qualifications, with three possible entry points that recognise prior learning and experience. Students may begin at 96, 72 or 48 credit points depending on their background, though all must complete a zero-credit occupational health and safety unit required for work within art, design and architecture environments. Course progression maps are provided to guide enrolment for each semester of commencement, ensuring a smooth and structured pathway through the program.