Bachelor of Design
at Charles Sturt University, New South Wales.
A studio-led design degree spanning visual communication, product, interaction and spatial design. Most programmes culminate in a major design project and portfolio show.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Design. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official UAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The BDesign at CSU is studio-led from day one. Year one runs design fundamentals (form, type, colour, composition), introduction to design history, sketching and drawing, digital tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma), and one or two electives across disciplines. From year two students stream into a major (Visual Communication, Industrial or Product Design, Interaction or UX, Spatial Design, Animation, Illustration) and carry studio units of six contact hours weekly. Studio runs in cohorts of 20 to 30 students with a tutor and weekly desk-crit sessions. Year three is portfolio building: students complete a final-year studio research project, a capstone industry brief, a digital portfolio and contribute to the end-of-year exhibition. Time outside studio runs to 15 to 25 hours of self-directed making per unit.
Example first-year subjects
- Design Foundations
- Visual Communication 1
- Design History and Theory
- Digital Design Tools
- Drawing and Visualisation
- Materials and Making
How you will be assessed
- Studio submissions: process journals, sketches, prototypes and final artefacts
- Portfolio reviews at mid-semester and end of semester
- Written design history essays of 1500 to 2500 words
- Group industry-brief responses with client presentation
- Final-year capstone studio project and exhibition piece
- Peer critique and tutorial participation
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as visual designers, UX designers and industrial designers in agencies and in-house teams.
- Common destinations include digital product agencies, advertising studios and the in-house design teams of major retailers and banks.
- Many alumni progress into design leadership, design strategy and freelance practice within five years.
Professional accreditation
- DIA membership eligible
Typical first jobs
- Junior graphic designer at studios and in-house teams
- UX or product designer at tech and SaaS companies
- Junior industrial or product designer at design consultancies
- Junior animator or motion designer in advertising and media
- Communications designer at corporates and government
- Freelance designer building a client base
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Honours year (year four) is available for high-distinction students and feeds research masters and PhD. Common postgraduate pivots include Master of Design, Master of UX Design, Master of Animation and Visualisation and Master of Architecture (with a one-year bridging program for non-architecture BDesign majors). Industry-side, most graduates build a working portfolio and start in junior creative or product roles in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and online.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy hands-on making and visual problem solving
- Those happy to defend their work in regular desk crits
- People with a strong existing portfolio or willingness to build one fast
- Students who can manage long self-directed studio hours
- Those willing to invest in their own laptops, software and materials
It is probably not for you if
- Students who prefer exam-based assessment over portfolio work
- Those uncomfortable defending creative choices in front of peers
- Anyone unwilling to spend 20 plus hours weekly on independent making
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Charles Sturt University handbook and on UAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/csu/bachelor-of-design.