Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) - University of South Australia

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Aim

To graduate students who are equipped with the creative, intellectual, technical and professional methods to function as reflective, socially responsive practitioners in the field of visual communication design.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following qualifications:

Qualified for the SACE:

• recorded achievement in five SACE subjects taken at Stage 2 level; and 
• included at least four Stage 2 subjects which are approved Higher Education Selection Subjects (HESS); and  
• obtained a competitive TER;

Completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements; 

Qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;

Completed the University Foundation Studies program.

Special entry provisions may also apply for ATSI applicants.

Applicants may also gain special entry to the program through portfolio and may be required to complete a multi-faceted selection process.

English language entry requirements

For international applicants for whom English is a second language, the minimum English language requirements are:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): Minimum score of 6.0 in Reading and Writing subscores and minimum overall score of 6.0 obtained within the last two years or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as TOEFL or the appropriate Academic English language level delivered at CELUSA; or

Successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years; or

Successful completion of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years; or

Successful completion of one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which:

• English is an official language; or
• English is commonly used, as determined by the University.

Content/structure

The program is a three year full-time or part-time equivalent program organised into three levels: foundation, advanced and professional. Level 1 (first year of study) introduces basic skills and concepts in design and establishes a theoretical framework. Level 2 (second year of study) develops competence in core course areas. Level 3 (third year of study) expands the intellectual and professional areas of the program. Levels 2 and 3 provide scope for specialisation through electives. The program requires completion of courses comprising 108 units.

Students complete a professional major in either Graphic Design or Illustration Design.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) are eligible for Associate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia.

Honours

This degree provides the undergraduate education for students who seek to pursue the Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Visual Communication) degree.

Fee information

Fees for International students: $AU 17,500 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2010.
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units.
Fees for International students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation.

Program requirements

Rules

1. A student must normally complete the program within three years of full-time study (or its equivalent of part-time study) from the date of their initial enrolment, not including any period of approved leave or enforced suspension.
   
2. Students progress through the three years of the program by levels: Level 1 (first year) Level 2 (second year) Level 3 (third year).
   
3. Students must successfully complete Level 1 before undertaking courses at Level 2. Similarly students must successfully complete Level 2 before undertaking courses at Level 3. With the permission of the Program Director, students may carry one course failure from Level 1 to Level 2 and one course failure from Level 2 to Level 3.
   
4. Students complete a professional major of 36 units in Graphic Design or Illustration Design.

Notes

1. Students must complete 18 units of electives (a minimum of 9 elective units must conform with the Broadening Undergraduate Education matrix as Contrasting Studies); the balance are designed to expand the intellectual and professional capabilities of the students in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional academic interest. Electives may be taken from those offered under the umbrella of the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) or Bachelor of Visual Arts (Specialisation). Not every course will be offered every year.
   
   
2. Students must complete 9 units of BUGE electives which are designed to extend their intellectual abilities and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional and academic interest. 4.5 units of this study will comprise the prescribed broadening undergraduate course VSAR 3017 Indigenous Arts, Cultures and Design.
   
   

3. Students are required to complete 9 units of Elective courses from across the School.
   A selection of electives will be offered each year, depending on staff availability and student demand.
   The following suites of courses are recommended as electives for the professional majors in the
   Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication):
   Professional Major: Graphic Design
   GRAP 2017 Package Design B
   GRAP 2028 Animation Design
   GRAP 2024 Commercial and Professional Photography 1
   GRAP 2025 Commercial and Professional Photography 2
   GRAP 2019 Idea Generation Methods for Designers
   GRAP 2021 Multimedia Design
   VSAR 2057 Printmaking: Image and Text
   Professional Major: Illustration Design
   GRAP 2028 Animation Design
   VSAR 2049 Life Drawing
   VSAR 2050 Life Painting
   VSAR 2058 Relief Printmaking
   VSAR 2057 Printmaking: Image and Text
   GRAP 2019 Idea Generation Methods for Designers
   GRAP 2024 Commercial and Professional Photography 1

4. The following are offered as BUGE courses and are not available to students in the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication): 
   GRAP 2026 Introduction to Graphic Design
   GRAP 2027 Introduction to Typography

5. The Visual Communication Design Theory Elective may be chosen from the following:
   VSAR 2042 Arts Writing
   VSAR 2030 Asia - Pacific Arts
   GRAP 2022 Contemporary Graphics and Illustration
   VSAR 2074 Craft Theory: Issues
   VSAR 2037 Critical Theory
   VSAR 2043 Gender, Modernism and Arts
   VSAR 2027 Medieval and Renaissance Art
   VSAR 2044 Performance Installation: Exploring the Fourth Dimension 
   VSAR 2014 The Moving Image: Film, Art and Theory
   
   
6. Students who wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available from the elective courses offered in any one study period may choose either a research, or project-based, directed study elective: VSAR 2016 Visual Communication Directed Study 1 or VSAR 2017 Visual Communication Directed Study 2.