Handbook

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Overview

This program is for students commencing from 2023. The UNSW Bachelor of Design prepares the next generation of designers through our unique, flexible and wide-ranging specialisations including Computational Design, Industrial Design and Integrated Design. We invite you to craft a design career based on your goals, the needs of today, … For more content click the Read More button below. This program is taught over two campuses - Paddington and Kensington.

This program is for students commencing from 2023.

The UNSW Bachelor of Design prepares the next generation of designers through our unique, flexible and wide-ranging specialisations including Computational Design, Industrial Design and Integrated Design.

We invite you to craft a design career based on your goals, the needs of today, and the challenges we’ll face tomorrow, through innovative thinking, and design skills across a range of disciplines and materials. Our practical and hands-on studio culture includes access to making workshops, digital facilities, and cutting-edge research labs, where you will learn first-hand from award-winning entrepreneurs, studio-based designers, industry-leading professionals and futurists.

Conceptual, technical and theoretical courses will prepare you as a competitive job-ready graduate, able to contribute in diverse, imaginative, compassionate and insightful ways to improving life on earth.

This program is taught over two campuses - Paddington and Kensington.

Learning Outcomes

Critically reflect as an agile and responsive design practitioner working in evolving local, regional and global contexts.

Scholars
Global citizens

Work effectively both independently and collaboratively as a design professional.

Scholars
Professionals

Demonstrate ethical, cultural and environmental responsibility as a design practitioner.

Professionals
Global citizens

Interrogate design through an understanding of design history, theory, context, tools, and methods.

Leaders
Scholars

Apply a rigorous and iterative design methodology to problem solving.

Scholars
Leaders

Communicate effectively to diverse audiences and stakeholders using advanced verbal, visual, written and digital methods.

Global citizens

Acquire disciplinary knowledge and skills through a framework of lifelong learning.

Scholars
Professionals

Apply entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking to professional practice.

Scholars
Leaders

Interrogate one's own cultural understanding together with other cultures' history, values and practices in design contexts.

Global citizens
Professionals

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 144 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Core Courses (18 UOC)
Specialisation (78 UOC)
Free Elective (36 UOC)
General Education (12 UOC)

Disciplinary Component96 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 96 UOC of the following to satisfy the core requirements of this degree.

Core Courses18 Units of Credit:

Specialisation Component78 Units of Credit:

Free Electives36 Units of Credit:

General Education12 Units of Credit:

Optional Minor

If you are enrolled in the standalone program you may use your Free Elective courses to complete one of the optional minors listed below.

If you intend to take an optional minor you are encouraged to declare the minor as soon as possible.

Please note: courses completed as part of your disciplinary component cannot be double counted towards your minor.

Design Minors

Other Minors

The below optional minors are also available.

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.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Program Requirements

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

Refer to the relevant specialisation for more information for details about placement opportunities.

Students in this program may be eligible for international Student Exchange. For further information regarding application and eligibility, please contact UNSW Study Abroad and Exchange office or the Nucleus. Students are encouraged to take the internship and work integrated learning opportunities available in their program.

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.

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

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of Design - BDes
Bachelor of Media - BMedia3342 - Design / Media

Bachelor of Commerce - BCom
Bachelor of Design - BDes3597 - Commerce / Design

Bachelor of Design - BDes
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - BEd (Secondary)4067 - Design / Education (Secondary)

Honours Pathway

Bachelor of Computational Design (Honours) - BCoDe (Hons)4523 - Computational Design (Honours)

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) - BIndDes(Hons)4525 - Industrial Design (Honours)

Bachelor of Design (Honours) - BDes(Hons)4527 - Design (Honours)

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN
Architectural and urban design specialist; Building information model implementer; Gaming environment developer; Design technology manager; Digital fabrication and smart-manufacturing specialist; Software solutions developer; Smart cities consultant; Urban data analyst

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
3D CAD (three-dimensional computer-aided design) specialist; Automotive designer or stylist; Colours, materials, and finishes (CMF) designer; Commercial furniture designer; Consumer electronics designer; Consumer product designer; Design director; Design engineer; Design strategist; Design thinking and innovation lead; Electrical appliance designer; Human factors and ergonomics consultant; Humanitarian engineering designer; Industrial design consultant; Mechanical design draftsperson; Medical device designer; Point-of-purchase display designer; Product branding and marketing specialist; Product design research coordinator; Services and systems designer; Speculative product designer; Structural packaging designer; Wayfinding solutions designer

INTEGRATED DESIGN
Ceramics designer; Digital fabrication designer; Design instructor or design strategist; Digital media producer; Design theorist, design critic or design historian; Design writer or curator; Exhibition, experience, and event designer; Furniture or lighting designer; Graphic designer, visual communicator, or illustrator; Interaction and user experience (UX) designer; Jewellery and object designer; Packaging designer; Publication designer; Service designer; Textile designer; Virtual reality 3D visualiser; Wearable technology designer; Web or app designer

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Award of Pass with Distinction

The Award of Pass with Distinction is awarded when a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award Pass with Distinction except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

For more information, please visit the link above.

Additional Information

Further Information

Contact the Nucleus Student Hub for advice.

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:

Additional Expenses and Resources

Students may be required to purchase equipment or materials to enable them to complete activities and assessment tasks within the program, however every effort will be undertaken for the faculty to provide such relevant equipment and materials as appropriate.

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.

Undergraduate

Typical duration:

3 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

144

AQF Level

Level 7

Award Type

Bachelor

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

Bachelor of Design - BDes

UAC Code

421050

CRICOS Code

110651E

Design

4825

144 Units of Credit