UNSW Sydney
2 years
Take your design career to the next level with this 2-year master's degree combining technology, design thinking, strategy and practical skills. Ideal for design professionals and career-changers seeking senior design roles across diverse industries through hands-on studio practice and industry partnerships.
Entry requirements vary based on your background. You need a recognised bachelor's or honours degree in any field with at least a credit average (65%). Non-design graduates must submit a portfolio including 10 pages of original design work, a cover letter, professional experience verification, and a 2-page CV. Alternative entry pathways include the Graduate Certificate or Diploma in Design. English language proficiency is required; Australian Year 12 qualifications satisfy this requirement, otherwise provide evidence through English language tests or prior study in English.
The program comprises core courses (54 UOC) including Research Foundations in Art and Design, Histories and Theories for Design, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Design Concepts and Communication, Critical Approaches to Design, Designing in Context, two Design Studio Projects, and Imperatives for a Sustainable Future. Art & Design prescribed electives (6 UOC) include Work Integrated Learning, Research Paper, or Leadership in the Cultural and Creative Industries. Design electives (36 UOC) allow specialisation in Communication Design, Design Leadership, Immersive Design, Interaction and UX Design, Materials and Object Design, or Spatial and Experience Design.
UNSW is a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings 2024-2026) with the School of Art & Design ranked #5 in Australia for Art and Design. UNSW has produced the most employable graduates for seven consecutive years and is ranked #1 in Australia and #32 globally for employment outcomes. The program offers access to cutting-edge facilities including state-of-the-art workshops, open studios, research labs, and Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions. With 1,000+ industry partnerships, students connect with leading organisations to understand evolving design needs.
Graduates pursue diverse senior design roles in large corporates, global institutions, government, non-profits, media and technology companies, and creative agencies. Career opportunities span film and television, architectural design, arts, galleries, museums, and more. Potential roles include advertising creative director, brand strategist, design lead, design manager, UX/UI designer, product designer, and many others. Senior design positions offer competitive salaries, with Design Leads averaging $160,000 and Design Managers averaging $170,000 annually.
Course fee
Start date
You will be redirected to the training provider to enquire directly. Workinitiatives is not the course or training provider. We aggregate and list courses only.