Bachelor of Design
at Murdoch University, Western Australia.
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 Murdoch 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 | TISC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official TISC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year is studio-based and broad. You learn design fundamentals (composition, colour, typography, image-making), design history and theory, and the core software toolkit across vector, raster and layout tools. Studios run on weekly briefs, critiques and iteration rather than exams. Second year channels into a focus such as graphic and visual communication, interaction and user experience, or spatial and environmental design. You take on more ambitious briefs, learn research and ideation methods, and start building a portfolio. User-centred design, prototyping and presentation skills feature heavily. Third year is portfolio and capstone. You complete a self-directed major design project and present it at the graduate exhibition, alongside professional-practice units covering client work, freelancing and design ethics. Graduates leave with a portfolio and exhibition rather than a thesis.
Example first-year subjects
- Design Fundamentals
- Typography and Image
- Design History and Theory
- Digital Tools for Designers
- Studio: Visual Communication
- Introduction to User-Centred Design
How you will be assessed
- Studio projects assessed by brief, process and final outcome
- Design critiques and peer review
- Portfolio development across the degree
- Process journals and design rationales
- Written design history and theory essays
- Final-year capstone project and graduate exhibition
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 or visual designer
- Junior UX or UI designer
- Production or studio artist in an agency
- In-house designer for a retailer, bank or government team
- Web or digital content designer
- Freelance or contract designer
- Design or production assistant
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $66,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Most graduates move straight into junior or graduate design roles and grow a professional portfolio. Those who want to specialise can pursue postgraduate study in user-experience design, communication design, or design and creative-technology research. Some graduates move toward design management or product roles, and a research Honours or masters can open teaching and studio-leadership pathways.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Visually creative students who like making and iterating
- People who take feedback well and enjoy studio critique
- Self-directed learners who manage projects to deadlines
- Students interested in how people use products and interfaces
- Those willing to build and refine a portfolio continuously
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike open-ended, ambiguous briefs
- People uncomfortable presenting work for public critique
- Those wanting an exam-based or highly theoretical degree
- Students unwilling to invest time outside timetabled studio
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Murdoch University handbook and on TISC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/murdoch/bachelor-of-design.