Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Design requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production
DESN1003 Contemporary Design in Context

12 units from completion of DESN3010 Design Practice: Engagement, Internship and Entrepreneurship, which must be completed twice with a different topic each time

A minimum of 12 units from completion of foundation courses from the following list:

ARTV1020 Figure & Life
ARTV1021 Image and Object
ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation
DESA1021 Precise Drawing and Model Making

12 units from completion of theory courses from the following list:

ANTH2005 Traditional Australian Indigenous Cultures, Societies and Environment
ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning
ARTH2043 Modernism and Postmodernism in Art and Design: 1850-2000
ARTH2162 Cyberculture
ARTH2164 Theories of the Object
ARTH2165 Theories of the Image
ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design
ARTH2172 Costume, Fashion and Visual Culture
ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability
ENVS1008 Sustainable Development
GEND1001 Sex, Gender and Identity: An Introduction to Gender Studies
GEND1002 Reading Popular Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies
GEND2023 Gender, Sex and Sexuality: An Introduction to Feminist Theory
HUMN1001 Digital Culture: Being Human in the Information Age
HUMN2001 Digital Humanities: Theories and Projects
INDG1001 Indigenous Peoples, Populations and Communities
PHIL1004    Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction
PHIL1005    Logic and Critical Thinking
PHIL1007    What is Humanity?
PHIL1008    Introduction to Ethics
PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context
SOCY1002 Self and Society
SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology

A minimum of 12 units from completion of design courses from the following list:

DESN1001 Making Online: Context & Presence
DESN2002 Foundations of Creative Code
DESN2003 Creative Data Visualisation: Representing Data in Visual and Material Form
DESN2004 Dynamic Design and Generative Systems
DESN2006 Front-End Web: Crafting Online Experience
DESN2001 Digital Form and Fabrication
DESN2005 Form and Fabrication in Context
DESN2007 Design Fiction: Speculative and Critical Design
DESN2008 Design Thinking: Human-Centred Design Methodologies
DESN2009 Typography in Context: digital typographic design
DESN2012 The Ethics of Making: Design for Reuse and Repair

A minimum of 18 units from completion of studio courses from the following list:

ARTV1101 Ceramics: Materials & Technology
ARTV1102 Ceramics: Throwing & Surface Decoration
ARTV1103 Animation and Video: The Digital Workspace
ARTV1104 Animation and Video: Digital Equipment and Studios
ARTV1201 Furniture: Shape/Structure
ARTV1202 Furniture: Elevate/Surface
ARTV1301 Glass Introduction
ARTV1302 Glass: Processes and Methods
ARTV1403 Jewellery & Object: Introduction to Precise Miniature Construction
ARTV1404 Jewellery & Object: Maker, Wearer, Viewer, User
ARTV1501 Painting: Introducing Painting
ARTV1502 Painting: Composition and Space
ARTV1601 Photomedia: Foundations of photography, printing and camera skills
ARTV1602 Photomedia: Colour Photography and Digital Skills
ARTV1803 Sculpture: Introduction to Conceptual Practices and Construction Methods (Metal)
ARTV1804 Sculpture: Introduction to Temporal Practices and Construction Methods (Wood)
ARTV1901 Textiles: Dye and Surface Manipulation
ARTV1902 Textiles: Print and Surface Design
ARTV2038 Workshop Atelier
ARTV2039 Craft and Design Practice-led Research
ARTV2057 Hands On: Material Language
ARTV2060 Contexts of Making: Globalisation and Change
ARTV2061 Contexts of Making: Materiality and Value
ARTV2117 Ceramics: Glaze & Colour Development
ARTV2119 Ceramics: Experimental Methods and Meanings
ARTV2120 Ceramics: Designing for the Table and Home
ARTV2124 Ceramics: Surface, Form and Connectivity
ARTV2125 Ceramics: Moulding, Casting & Digital Technologies
ARTV2206 Furniture: Bend/Curve
ARTV2207 Furniture: Support/Body
ARTV2208 Furniture: Contain/Display
ARTV2209 Furniture: Collect/Treasure
ARTV2313 Glass: Kiln Casting
ARTV2314 Glass: Blowing and Finishing Techniques in context
ARTV2315 Glass: Kiln Forming
ARTV2316 Glass: Advanced Hot and Cold Glass Working Process
ARTV2401 Jewellery & Object: Making with machines
ARTV2402 Jewellery & Object: Utility as Context
ARTV2410 Jewellery & Object: Experimenting with process
ARTV2421 Jewellery & Object: Hollow Construction
ARTV2506 Painting: Approaches to Abstraction
ARTV2507 Painting: Painting in the Photo Digital Age
ARTV2508 Painting: Taking Your Own Direction
ARTV2509 Painting: Approaches to Composition and Colour
ARTV2511 Painting: Concepts, Materials, Processes
ARTV2605 Photomedia: Advanced Principles in Exposure and Printing
ARTV2606 Photomedia: Digital Photography and Studio Lighting
ARTV2607 Photomedia: Large Format Photography
ARTV2608 Photomedia: Experimental Processes
ARTV2609 Animation and Video: Visual Storytelling
ARTV2610 Animation and Video: Character development
ARTV2613 Animation and Video: Landscape and Environment
ARTV2614 Animation and Video: Non-linear Forms
ARTV2615 Animation: Creative Possibilities
ARTV2617 Video: Creative Possibilities
ARTV2706 Printmedia and Drawing: Experimental Drawing
ARTV2707 Printmedia and Drawing: Advanced Etching/Relief
ARTV2708 Printmedia and Drawing: Project Drawing
ARTV2715 Printmedia and Drawing: Typography
ARTV2717 Printmedia and Drawing: Book Design
ARTV2723 Printmedia and Drawing: Screen Printing
ARTV2727 Printmedia and Drawing: Lithography
ARTV2808 Sculpture: Space and Shape Investigations with Soft Sculpture, Pattern Making and Armature
ARTV2801 Socially Engaged Art Practice: Authorship, Dialogue and Community
ARTV2802 Politics of Memory: Video Installation, Sculpture, Documentary and Monuments
ARTV2810 Politics of Bodies: Sculpture, Figure Modelling, Performance and Choreography
ARTV2820 Politics of Spaces: Installation, Sculpture and Spatial Practice
ARTV2821 Posthuman Sculpture Practice with Active Materials: Bronze Casting, 3D Modelling and Bio Art
ARTV2906 Textiles: Approaches to Drawing for Craft and Design
ARTV2907 Textiles: Embroidery and Hand Stitch
ARTV2908 Textiles: Constructed Textiles
ARTV2909 Textiles: Maker to Market
ARTV2911 Textiles: Experimental Practices
ARTV2921 Environment Studio: field based research and studio practice in visual arts

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place

Unless otherwise stated, a course used to satisfy the requirements of one list may not be double counted towards satisfying the requirements of another list.

Minors

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications and including any eligible adjustments:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Other requirements

Entry into the Bachelor of Visual Arts is based on ACT or NSW HSC equivalent and interview and portfolio. Once an application has been lodged, applicants are required to register for an interview and upload a portfolio on the ANU School of Art & Design website at: soa.anu.edu.au/how-apply/undergraduate-applications.

Entry requirements

Domestic School-leavers

Domestic students completing an Australian Year 12 or the IB program (November session) in Australia in 2019 apply directly to The Australian National University by submitting an Admission, Scholarships and Accomodation application here. All students will still need to meet the published entry requirements for the program they have applied for.

In addition to meeting the published entry requirements, school leavers are required met the co-curricular or service requirement (CCS). The CCS functions as a threshold that is either met or not met, you can learn more about the CCS and check if you’ve met the CCS requirement here. 
You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’.

Domestic Non school-leavers

Domestic non-school leavers (including students transferring to ANU, mature age applicants and students who are otherwise not a school-leaver) can apply to ANU via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). 
You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’.

International applicants

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants. 

Additional information for applicants

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found on the ANU website. 
The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website allows you to do side-by-side comparisons of Australian universities, so you can find out more about the universities that interest you.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

The admission requirements listed on this page are a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Prerequisites

Entry into the Bachelor of Design is based on ACT or NSW HSC equivalent and interview and portfolio. Australian and New Zealand applicants apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and international applicants lodge an application directly with ANU. Once an application has been lodged, applicants are required to register for an interview and upload a portfolio on the ANU School of Art & Design website at: soa.anu.edu.au/how-apply/undergraduate-applications.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1.    Demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials and technologies in their relevant discipline.
2.    Research, develop and evaluate design concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively.
3.    Apply skills and knowledge to the creation, visualisation and production of design projects.
4.    Work independently and collaboratively on design projects and respond to project demands.
5.    Interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences.
6.    Recognise and reflect on social, cultural technological, environmental and ethical issues of creative practice and design considering local and international perspectives.