Bachelor of Design
at Western Sydney University, New South Wales.
A three-year design degree at Parramatta that first took students in 2026, so no selection-rank history is published yet. There are no prerequisites. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia and the Australian Graphic Design Association.
Lowest selection rank
WSU has not published a lowest selection rank for this course for recent intakes. That usually means too few ATAR-based offers were made to report one, or that selection also uses a portfolio, audition, interview or other criteria. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Studio subjects cover animation, brand identity, branding and strategy, creative process, digital media, digital storytelling, fashion culture, Indigenous culture, motion design, photography, studio practice, sustainability, user experience (UX) design and visual thinking. The degree uses partnership-based projects throughout: students work on real design briefs with cultural institutions, community organisations, corporate partners and social enterprises, moving from guided foundation projects to self-directed work that builds a professional portfolio.
Placement and industry experience
Rather than a single placement block, the Bachelor of Design embeds partnership projects in every year. Students engage with cultural institutions, community organisations, corporate partners and social enterprises on authentic design challenges, so they graduate with portfolio-ready work produced for real clients.
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
- Eligible for Design Institute of Australia membership
- Eligible for Australian Graphic Design Association membership
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 in graphic, brand, motion and UX design roles or freelance. They are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA). Further study options include Honours and postgraduate design or teaching degrees.
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 Western Sydney University website and on UAC before applying.