Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication
Source: https://www.uts.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-design-in-visual-communication Parent: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/entry-schemes/design-portfolio-scheme
Study Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at UTS
Visual communication is a discipline led by creative practice and a deep understanding of the way communication design influences and informs the world around us. It studies how we can build communications using both design fundamentals and advanced technologies. The UTS Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication is your passport to a wide variety of sought-after careers in this ever-changing field.
You'll immerse yourself in studio-based practice, learning both traditional and cutting-edge techniques across a range of areas demanded by today's design industry. Learning from industry experts, you'll attain a complex array of advanced technical skills, preparing you for a vibrant future where you'll use art to help people make sense of the world.
Part of the Faculty of Design and Society.
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Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication
CODE
UTS: C10308 (version 3)
CRICOS: 077339C
UAC: 602070 (Autumn Session, Spring Session)
LOWEST SELECTION RANK
76.9
Don't have the ATAR?
DURATION
3 years full time\ 6 years part time
INTAKE
Autumn Session 2026\ Spring Session 2026\ Autumn Session 2027\ Spring Session 2027
COURSE FEES
Indicative total tuition fee for government-supported domestic students\ $53,513.00
LOCATION
City campus
What you’ll study
You'll build extensive hands-on experience through a range of studio and project-based subjects. You'll learn practical design fundamentals, discover the history and future of this discipline and have the opportunity to specialise in one of the many paths Visual Communication Design has to offer.
You'll learn how visual design intersects with traditional and new media, from print-based publication design to interactive apps, and critically engage with new technologies like generative AI. Design and Transdisciplinary electives will see you broaden your creative understanding and develop career-ready collaborative competencies.
Subjects at a glance
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Core subjects
| Subject Code | Subject Name |
|---|---|
| 87631 | VC Design Studio: The Politics of Image and Text |
| 87100 | VC Design Theory: Critical Approaches to Visual Culture |
| 87632 | VC Design Studio: The Ethics of Image and Text |
| 87222 | VC Design Project: Symbols, Systems and Visual Play |
| 87731 | VC Design Studio: Narrative, Form and Time |
| 87441 | VC Project: Contexts of Visual Communication |
| 87443 | VC Project: Typography in Context |
| 87009 | VC Design Studio: Visualising Experience |
| 87012 | VC Project: Research Through Design |
| 87010 | VC Design Studio: Socially Responsive Design |
| 87011 | VC Project: Visual Communication and Emergent Practices |
| 87832 | VC Design Studio: Design Practice |
| 85502 | Researching Design Histories |
| 85503 | Thinking Through Design |
See all subjects and majors in the UTS Handbook
Typical course program
The outline below shows an example program for the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication based on a full-time study load. Please note that your exact program may differ based on your unique circumstances, such as your commencement date, subject selections and recognition of prior learning.
- 12 : core Visual Communication subjects
- 3 : Design Studies subjects
- 2 : Design electives
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1 : Transdisciplinary subject
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First year
You'll begin with a number of core units, where you'll examine political, ethical and critical approaches to visual culture via a series of studio-based briefs and tasks. You'll develop your fundamental design skills alongside competencies in research, writing and communication. 2. #### Second year
You'll deepen your design capabilities in areas like Visual Storytelling, User Experience Design and Typography and undertake practical projects to hone your skills. You’ll also engage with designers across broader disciplines and pursue a specialised elective of your choice. 3. #### Third year
In your final year, you’ll undertake advanced projects, completing an internship, taking on an optional Global Studio and working on live briefs with industry and the social and service sectors. You’ll also complete your remaining electives to enhance your specialisation.
First year
You'll begin with a number of core units, where you'll examine political, ethical and critical approaches to visual culture via a series of studio-based briefs and tasks. You'll develop your fundamental design skills alongside competencies in research, writing and communication.
Second year
You'll deepen your design capabilities in areas like Visual Storytelling, User Experience Design and Typography and undertake practical projects to hone your skills. You’ll also engage with designers across broader disciplines and pursue a specialised elective of your choice.
Third year
In your final year, you’ll undertake advanced projects, completing an internship, taking on an optional Global Studio and working on live briefs with industry and the social and service sectors. You’ll also complete your remaining electives to enhance your specialisation.
See typical course program in the UTS Handbook
Course highlights
You’ll study Motion Graphics, Web Media, User Experience Design, Interaction Design, Typography, Print Media, Photography, Image Making, Illustration, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Creative Code and AI and Machine Learning. You’ll learn to respond to industry briefs, enhance your knowledge with design studies and choose specialised electives to hone your skills.
Admissions information
Admissions information
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Course description
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Important dates
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Year 12 adjustment factor scheme
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ATAR and selection ranks
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Scholarships and prizes
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Transdisciplinary Electives at UTS
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Course duration
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Admission requirements
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Domestic course fees
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Inherent requirements
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Assumed knowledge
Find more Design, Architecture and Building courses
Return to Design, Architecture and Building
Entry schemes and pathways
If you've excelled in Year 11, our Early Entry program rewards the hard work you've put into your studies. Successful applicants receive a provisional offer before their HSC/IB exams.
If you're an elite athlete or performer who has represented your school or state at a national level, and your studies have been affected, this scheme is for you.
If you've experienced long-term disadvantages that have affected your education, you may be eligible for selection rank adjustments through inpUTS.
With a VET qualification, you're eligible to apply for certain courses. Take the next step in your education.
If you're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Jumbunna is an alternative application process for our courses that emphasises diverse pathways to success.
You can apply for our courses using your previous study. You may even be eligible for recognition of prior learning, so you won’t need to repeat subjects.
Transition smoothly to UTS with UTS College. Explore our programs now.
Careers
Your future career
This program will equip you with a thorough and up-to-date toolkit of visual communication and design capabilities, putting you in the perfect position to launch a rewarding and diverse career.
With your comprehensive suite of practical skills, you'll have what it takes to interpret, plan and deliver outstanding visual designs for any purpose, audience or setting. You’ll be an in-demand professional, ready to work in media production, graphic design, research and many more fields, or apply your creative thinking to reach new heights of success in non-design roles.
Career options
Read transcript
0:02\ As a creatively driven young person, I always knew I wanted a creative career.
\ 0:07\ The Bachelor of Design and Visual Communication at UTS gave me the creativity and freedom to enjoy my art and the opportunity to branch out into a new arena of graphic design.
\ 0:18\ My tutors provided me with a great sense of security while I was studying.
\ 0:23\ They helped me understand that embracing change through my career would ultimately positively impact me as a graphic designer.
\ 0:30\ UTS challenged me to think beyond trends and really understand the why behind everything I create.
\ 0:36\ I can confidently say I learnt a lot and built a lot of lifelong friendships and memories from studying at UTS.
\ 0:42\ Not only did I learn the technical skills of design, but also very conceptual and almost philosophical notions of design, which was really eye opening and honestly continues to be very helpful in my day-to-day design career.
\ 0:57\ I chose to study a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at UTS because it offers some of the most hands on practical courses for creatives and the Innovative Industry Focus program really stood out to me.
\ 1:08\ I was even lucky enough to convert my internship into employment after graduating.
\ 1:13\ Visual communication is so much more than just designing.
\ 1:16\ UTS lets you explore every creative aspect from branding and topography to interactive media and experiential design.
\ 1:22\ My tutors and peers really changed my perspective on where a creative career could go.
\ 1:27\ That shift in thinking is what led me to explore beyond visual design and eventually sparked my interest in marketing.
\ 1:33\ My experiences opened up a whole realm of possibilities for creativity, and I honestly wouldn't be where I am today without them.
“By the time I graduated, I felt prepared not only as a designer but as a creative thinker ready to tackle complex projects and bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table.”
Maria Esquivel, Ree Creative
Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication
“It's an expansive territory for a designer; where you could discover and adopt a multitude of different design skills – from print design, media production, photography, visual culture, etc.”
Josh Obliga
Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication
“UTS has a lot of studios; you can explore a lot of different areas. Some people might think it’s just making posters or books, but the Visual Communication course also goes into web design, it goes into coding, it goes into motion. You’re not just stuck in one area; you’re going to learn about all these other things.”
Stella Li
Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication Bachelor of Design (Honours)
“I participated in two global studios: one in Greece and one in Japan. Both definitely gave me new insights to my own design practice. It doesn’t matter what field of study you’re in, immersing yourself in different cultures is invaluable.”
Susan Le
Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication Bachelor of Design (Honours)
Where you’ll study
Our world-class facilities support your future-focused learning and high-impact research. They enable effective partnerships with industry and provide services to our community.
Shaped by industry standards, Studio 5A is a permanent, immersive space for visual communication and product design students.
The photomedia studio is equipped with everything you need for professional-grade photography, including lighting studios, green screens and darkrooms for traditional black and white photographic printing.
While most computer labs contain specialised facilities, the computer lab on the third floor is open to all Design, Architecture and Building students and has a printing service for colour prints from regular A4 to large banners. Binding and laminating are available, as well as tools for trimming artboards.
The fabrication workshop is a large, well-equipped space where students and staff can safely build custom handmade models.
Why UTS?
Why study Design, Architecture and Building at UTS
With a Design, Architecture and Building degree from UTS, you'll build connections with industry from the moment you start your studies, and learn the skills to respond to social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges.
Study in purpose-built facilities and access the latest technologies shaping your field, from 3D printing to AI, drones and seamless knitting machines. Our commitment to hands-on practice and professional accreditation means our courses are highly respected by the industry – and our students are too.
#9
Art and Design school in Australia.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
#6
for Architecture and Built Environment in Australia and top 100 in the world.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Top 100
Art and Design schools in the world.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
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City campus
Building 1 - The Tower 15 Broadway, Ultimo NSW, 2007
Free admission
On-demand
Online
Free admission
On-demand
Free admission
On-demand
Online
Free admission
City campus
Building 1 - The Tower 15 Broadway, Ultimo NSW, 2007
Free admission
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