Master of Design Program By The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) |Top Universities
Subject Ranking

# 51-100QS Subject Rankings

Program Duration

24 monthsProgram duration

Scholarship

YesScholarships

Main Subject Area

Art and DesignMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

Art and Design

Degree

Other

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Blended

The Master of Design is an interdisciplinary, industry-engaged degree that integrates technology, design thinking, conceptual exploration, strategy and communication with practical skills. It focuses on the role of design in innovation and the global economy. You will extend and develop your theoretical, research, professional and practical design knowledge to an advanced level. This degree is anchored by our multidisciplinary studios, which underpin the development of your professional skills and confidence needed for creative leadership in design. Studio specialisations include Experience Design, Interaction Design, Visualisation and Visual Effects, Future Making and Graphic Communication.

Program overview

Main Subject

Art and Design

Degree

Other

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Blended

The Master of Design is an interdisciplinary, industry-engaged degree that integrates technology, design thinking, conceptual exploration, strategy and communication with practical skills. It focuses on the role of design in innovation and the global economy. You will extend and develop your theoretical, research, professional and practical design knowledge to an advanced level. This degree is anchored by our multidisciplinary studios, which underpin the development of your professional skills and confidence needed for creative leadership in design. Studio specialisations include Experience Design, Interaction Design, Visualisation and Visual Effects, Future Making and Graphic Communication.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

64+
176+
6.5+
90+

Depending on the level and nature of your prior qualifications, admission to the Master of Design has three entry points with different duration and units of credit (UOC) required for completion:

2 year program (96 UOC)

  • If you have an unrelated Bachelor’s degree in any field and possess experience working in a design related field, you’re eligible and will be considered for admission into the full 2 year program by submitting a portfolio. See further guidance and information below about this process.
1.7 year program (72 UOC)

  • If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with a record of achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%) you’ll be granted admission into the 1.7 year program. Related Bachelor’s degree programs include Architecture, Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior and Spatial Design, Industrial Design.
1 year program (48 UOC)

  • If you have completed an Honours degree in a related field (see above) you’ll be granted admission into the 1 year advanced disciplinary component of program. 
If you’re applying without a Bachelor’s degree you may be admitted into the Graduate Certificate of Design by the Program Director on the basis of a portfolio and relevant professional experience. If you complete the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma with a record of achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%) you’re also eligible for admission into the Master’s program with full credit for courses already completed.

Entry score calculator

If you’re uncertain whether you have the equivalent to a UNSW credit average, you can use the UNSW postgraduate entry score calculator to convert and scale other types of grading schemes into a percentage relatable to UNSW entry requirements.

Portfolio Entry to Master of Design

Depending on the level and related nature of your prior design qualifications and experience, you may be required to submit a portfolio. Portfolio submissions must include the following:

  1. A 10 page A4 digital portfolio of original design work undertaken by the applicant including a critically reflective text.
  2. A cover letter that explains your interest in studying at UNSW Art & Design, and your interest in the degree. The letter should tell us about your interests, achievements and experience and be no more than 400 words.
  3. Verified evidence of professional experience in a design or media-related field, in the form of a written statement of service from an employer, client or commissioning agent verifying the position, role, responsibilities, duration and/or project outcomes of employment, service contract or other professional design engagement.

A two page CV that details your experience in, or related to design including contact details for two referees.

2 Years
Feb
Jun

Tuition fee and scholarships

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

how_to

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

list

A list of available scholarships around the world

checklist

A scholarship application checklist

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More programs from the university

An undergraduate degree at UNSW Sydney is your passport to opportunities around the world. UNSW prepares you for career success with a rich blend of theory and practice. Award-winning teachers bring employers into state-of-the-art classrooms and our programs provide practical experiences with industry leaders.

Faculties

UNSW Sydney offers bachelor degrees (3-4 years) and dual and combined degrees (4-7 years) across nine faculties (see below) or checkout our Degree Finder to explore and compare what's on offer. 

Career Success

Ranked 27th in the world for graduate employability (QS 2019), UNSW knows what it takes to create future leaders. Our alumni community is 300,000 strong with graduates working or having worked for some of the biggest companies in the world including Google, Penguin, Ernst& Young, PayPal, Rio Tinto, HSBC, NASA and Oxfam.

Our extensive range of Work Integrated Learning units enable you to gain first-hand industry experience as you gain credit towards your degree.   We also provide direct access to leaders in specialised industry workshops, project work or work experience opportunities.

Got a start-up idea or dream of becoming an entrepreneur? We are the #1 University attended by Australian start up founders (Startup Muster2018) and offer Australia's most comprehensive on-campus entrepreneurship program.

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A postgraduate degree at UNSW Sydney is your opportunity to tackle the world’s challenges alongside the brightest minds in the country. Close partnerships with government and industry mean our researchers benefit from knowledge sharing and better realise commercial breakthroughs.

Faculties

Postgraduate coursework (1-2 years) and research (2-4 years) programs, including Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Master’s Degrees, are offered across the eight faculties listed below or visit our website to investigate and compare what's on offer.

Research

UNSW is first in Australia for research quality, with more top ratings in broad fields of research than any other Australian university (2018 Excellence in Research in Australia report).  From powering the future to providing clean drinking water and developing lifesaving HIV drugs and cancer therapies, our research innovations have helped to change the world and are helping pave the way to a better tomorrow.

Our researchers have world-class research facilities at their disposal such as the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre featuring custom-built laboratories for the study of biological, chemical and physical materials.  

Postgraduate research candidates undertake research through supervision with some of Australia's best minds.

Master of Design

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