Handbook

Overview

The Master of Design is an industry-engaged, intellectually rigorous and professionally relevant program. As a Master of Design student, you will develop the knowledge and creative skills needed to be a leader in design. The Master of Design comprises two main components: core design studio and contextual courses, and a … For more content click the Read More button below. In the core courses you will engage with contextual and critical approaches to design, sustainable practice, entrepreneurship, and design research methods. Design elective options allow you to focus on specific disciplines to deepen or broaden your design practice. Design electives can be taken in the following disciplines: Communication DesignDesign LeadershipImmersive DesignInteraction and UX DesignMaterials and Object DesignSpatial and Experience Design

The Master of Design comprises two main components: core design studio and contextual courses, and a suite of electives that provide specialisation in one or more design disciplines.

In the core courses you will engage with contextual and critical approaches to design, sustainable practice, entrepreneurship, and design research methods. Design elective options allow you to focus on specific disciplines to deepen or broaden your design practice.

Design electives can be taken in the following disciplines:

Communication Design
Design Leadership
Immersive Design
Interaction and UX Design
Materials and Object Design
Spatial and Experience Design

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a critical and advanced understanding of design principles, processes and research through their application to integrated design practice

Scholars

Demonstrate advanced cultural, environmental and social awareness as a responsible and ethical practitioner

Global citizens

Communicate complex ideas and practice through a substantial, self-directed, research-led and professionally focussed design project

Professionals
Scholars

Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on the place of contemporary design concepts and theories and their interpretation through integrated design practice

Professionals
Scholars

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 96 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Core Courses54 Units of Credit:

Students must take 54 UOC of the following courses.

Art & Design Prescribed Elective6 Units of Credit:

Design Electives36 Units of Credit:

Students must take 36 UOC from any of the Design Elective groups below.

Communication Design

Design Leadership

Immersive Design

Interaction and UX Design

Materials and Object Design

Spatial and Experience Design

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

1 year (48 UOC) program

An honours degree (or equivalent) in Design (FOE code 1005) or Architecture (FOE code 0401)

Students who meet this requirement will receive 48 UOC in advanced standing upon entry to the program, and will complete a 1 year (48 UOC) program of study.

1.7 year (72 UOC) program

A bachelor's degree in Design (FOE code 1005) or Architecture (FOE code 0401) with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65)

Students who meet this requirement will receive 24 UOC in advanced standing upon entry to the program, and will complete a 1.7 year (72 UOC) program of study.

2 year (96 UOC) program

A bachelor's degree or honours degree in any field with a credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65).
Applicants who apply from non-cognate will be admitted on successful assessment of a submitted Portfolio (see Special Admission Requirements).

Applicants who apply with a bachelor' degree in any field with a less than credit average (equivalent to a UNSW WAM of 65), or without a bachelor's degree, can be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Design on successful assessment of a submitted Portfolio. Students may articulate into the Master of Design upon completion of the Graduate Certificate with a credit average (WAM of 65). Refer to the Graduate Certificate for information on the entry requirements for this program.

Special Admission Requirements

Portfolio

Portfolio Submission Minimum Requirements 1) A 10 page A4 digital portfolio of original design work undertaken by the applicant. We will request portfolios not meeting these standards to be resubmitted. The portfolio must: - Evidence design development of the selected design outcomes such as preliminary sketches, illustrations, lo and hi fidelity prototyping, model-making, and/or material experiments; - Highlight design outcomes rather than background research, therefore limit the inclusion of user investigations, personas, demographics, user journey, precedents, competitor analysis etc. - Include a critically reflective text on each design work (100 words max.); - Be easily legible on screen (must not have multiple pages or excessive content condensed to a single A4 page); - Caption all material (visual, written or AI generated) and use academic references for material that is not the applicant’s original work. 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. A written statement from an employer is required from those without a qualification in a design-related field.

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Candidates whose entry to the Masters is approved may carry 48 units of credit from the Graduate Diploma to the Masters, whether the lower award has been conferred or not, provided the student has achieved a Pass in all courses, and a credit average overall.

Students who wish to exit the Masters program early may nominate to transfer to and graduate from the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma provided the requirements for the program have been met.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Master of Public Relations and Advertising - MPRA
Master of Design - MDes8234 - PR and Advertising / Design

Postgraduate Pathway

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1292 - PhD Art, Design and Media

Nested Postgraduate Program

Graduate Diploma in Design - GradDipDes5306 - Design

Graduate Certificate in Design - GradCertDes7306 - Design

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence

For more information, please visit the link above.

The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Faculty
Faculty: The primary academic unit in which related disciplines of teaching and research are conducted.

Campus

Paddington

Study Level
Study Level refers to the academic level of a program, specialisation or course.

Postgraduate

Typical duration:

2 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

AQF Level

Level 9

Award Type

Masters (Coursework)

Award(s)
Award(s): Qualification upon completion (all awards offered by UNSW are accredited by UNSW and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Master of Design - MDes

CRICOS Code

082198B

Design

9313

96 Units of Credit