Bachelor of Visual Communication Design
at The University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
The University of Newcastle's design degree is the three-year Bachelor of Visual Communication Design at Newcastle City Precinct, with majors in animation and illustration or graphic design. No prerequisites; Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Textiles and Design or Visual Arts are recommended.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the UoN Bachelor of Visual Communication Design for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 63.10 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 55.65 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 62.05 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Students specialise in animation and illustration, or graphic design (including interaction design and photography), through majors and minors. In third year students complete 140 hours of supervised placement. Honours is available as an additional year based on merit.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete 140 hours of supervised placement in third year, applying their studies in a workplace and building professional networks.
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.
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: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates work as graphic designers, illustrators, animators and interaction designers, or continue to Honours or postgraduate study.
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 selection ranks on the University of Newcastle website and on UAC before applying.