COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Design at UNSW Sydney is a 96 Units of Credit (UOC) postgraduate program structured to develop advanced design expertise, critical thinking, and professional capabilities across a range of creative disciplines. The program consists of three key components: 54 UOC of core courses, 6 UOC of art and design prescribed electives, and 36 UOC of design electives, with all courses typically valued at 6 UOC each. The core courses provide a strong foundation in design theory and practice, covering areas such as research methods in art and design, histories and theories of design, creativity and entrepreneurship, design concepts and communication, critical approaches to design, designing in context, and studio-based project work including both proposal development and final design execution. Students also engage with sustainability-focused learning through subjects addressing imperatives for a sustainable future. The prescribed elective component allows students to enhance their professional experience or research capability through options such as work-integrated learning, a research paper, or leadership in cultural and creative industries. The design electives offer flexibility for specialization across areas including communication design, design leadership, immersive design, interaction and UX design, materials and object design, and spatial and experience design. This structure enables graduates to develop both depth and breadth in design practice, preparing them for leadership roles in creative industries, studios, agencies, and interdisciplinary professional environments.