Arts and creative industries student
MC-DESIGN

Design

Master by coursework

Advance your knowledge of contemporary design practice and develop as an innovative design leader

Course outline
  • Qualification
    Master of Design
  • Duration

    Duration

    2 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    400
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    103008B
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

Intake Application open Application close

Semester 1, 2024

1 May 2023

Applications now closed!

Semester 2, 2024

1 March 2024

Applications now closed!

Semester 1, 2025

Applications now open!

12 February 2025

Semester 2, 2025

3 March 2025

9 July 2025

Course outline
Design

Overview

Overview

The Master of Design caters for learners who are eager to become design leaders of the future through either a practice or leadership-oriented pathway, or a combination of both.

The course will deepen your understanding of design practice through theory-based and practical units that draw on contemporary and emerging design fields including experience design, social design and speculative design.

For professionals looking to develop leadership capabilities in design, units focusing on entrepreneurship, design-led innovation and design strategy will prepare you for senior or executive design roles.

Throughout your study you will have the opportunity to learn from experts across a range of design disciplines to inform your practice. You will engage with a community of fellow industry professionals and enterprises beyond the design industry to see how design can fuel innovation.

The course offers three levels of study, with completion of one level providing credit to the next. You can choose to exit the degree at the graduate certificate or graduate diploma level.

What you'll learn

  • develop an in-depth knowledge of their field of design practice articulated through the creation of new artefacts, services, products or processes
  • apply specialised knowledge, theories, frameworks and practices relevant to design leadership to inform design-led innovation
  • demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of design and reflect critically on design theory, practice and history in multiple cultural settings through space and time
  • apply advanced cognitive, technical and creative skills to the framing and interrogation of design problems to develop innovative design solutions
  • professionally communicate concepts, proposals, ideas, and final designs to the target audience in a highly accomplished (and persuasive) manner
  • synthesise complex, contextual and critical information drawn from global perspectives to inform design
  • apply emerging technologies effectively to their design practice and process to develop design innovations that fulfil individual, collective or societal needs
  • develop leadership ability, in the context of the design industry, to manage and work in interdisciplinary project teams and contexts
  • develop a lifelong commitment to the value of design and their design practice and be able to inform, advocate and communicate this value to communities, enterprises and public

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Applicants are required to have either: work experience in Design or cognate areas, or a Bachelor degree in Design or cognate areas to enter this course. Applicants with work experience or a Bachelor degree in non-cognate areas, or other pathways, should contact the Course Coordinator.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

2024 Fee year:

$19,954*

Domestic

Domestic

2025 Fee year:

$21,350*

Domestic

Domestic

Fees are indicative only.

* Based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now
  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: MC-DESIGN
  • CRICOS code: 103008B
  • Last updated on: 21 December 2024

Got a question? We’re here to help.

Call 1300 222 888 Send us an email Ask us a question Book an appointment

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialisations

Bachelor of Commerce Specialisations

Bachelor of Innovation Specialisations

Learn more about Commerce

Apply for Master of Design