Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Study the first integrated design vertical double degree of its kind in Australia.
- Graduate with an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification in just four years.
- Build the skills to address issues like climate change, housing inequality, food security and accessible healthcare
- Learn strategic design approaches including systems design, co-design and human-centred design.
- Ranked #1 in Queensland for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026)
Highlights
- Study the first integrated design vertical double degree of its kind in Australia.
- Graduate with an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification in just four years.
- Build the skills to address issues like climate change, housing inequality, food security and accessible healthcare
- Learn strategic design approaches including systems design, co-design and human-centred design.
- Top 8 university in Australia and top 150 in the world for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)
Why choose this course?
This course is ideal if you’re curious about people and systems, enjoy big‑picture thinking, and want to use your creativity to tackle real‑world challenges. Design today goes far beyond creating objects or visuals. Organisations are turning to designers to help solve some of the most complex challenges facing communities, businesses and the world. Strategic designers think broadly and creatively. They ask the right questions, explore different perspectives and bring people together to shape thoughtful, ethical and sustainable solutions.
In this major you’ll learn how design can influence systems, services and experiences. You’ll explore how people, environments, policies and technologies interact and how designers can create meaningful change within these contexts. You’ll graduate with a future-focused skill set and a strong understanding of design’s role in social impact, innovation and sustainable decision making.
You’ll be accomplished systems thinkers and problem solvers, able to grasp the big picture of implications and opportunities, communicate these design insights to diverse audiences, and pivot for solutions-focused employers and your own career.
By completing a bachelor and master degree in four years, you gain a clear advantage. You graduate earlier with advanced skills that are increasingly valued by employers across industry, government and the community sector, particularly as organisations navigate rapid technological, social, and environmental change.
Real-world learning
Real‑world learning is central to this course, starting from your undergraduate studies through to advanced master degree projects. You will work on authentic design challenges that reflect issues faced by industry, government and community organisations.
The course builds on the School of Design’s strong links with industry, government and civil society. You will engage with real world briefs, guest speakers and collaborative projects that reflect professional practice and emerging workforce needs. Studios and workshops encourage collaboration with students from other disciplines, helping you understand how design operates within broader systems.
You will build skills in intermediation, foresight, stakeholder engagement, design research and strategic problem solving.
Learning is guided by teaching staff who are active researchers and industry practitioners, ensuring your work is informed by current practice and emerging trends.
In the master degree, applied research and capstone experiences allow you to tackle complex problems and produce work that is strategic, ethical and grounded in real‑world contexts.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study design and where a QUT degree can take you.
Explore this course
This vertical double degree combines the Bachelor of Design (Strategic Design) with the Master of Design (Strategic Design), allowing you to complete both qualifications in four years full-time rather than studying them separately.
Your degree begins with shared design foundations where you work with students from different disciplines to explore social issues and develop creative responses.
Through the Strategic Design major you’ll study design history and culture and gain an understanding of ethical and sustainable design practice. You will learn how strategic design can improve our lives and explore how future technologies shape design processes and decisions.
You’ll develop capabilities in cutting edge design practices from design thinking to co-design and systems-led design for circular futures. You will be able to communicate and collaborate across disciplines, sectors and communities, learning to integrate ethics, sustainability and human-centred values into design practices; guided by policy and megatrend social and technological insights.
During your undergraduate study, selected Master of Design (Strategic Design) units are embedded, introducing you to advanced ways of thinking about design, systems thinking and leadership. Your final year focuses entirely on the master degree coursework.
Careers and outcomes
You will graduate with two degrees in a growing employment area with a variety of career pathways available. Strategic design skills are increasingly sought after by organisations looking to innovate, support communities and rethink systems. This major prepares you for roles where creativity, systems thinking and problem solving make a meaningful impact.
Graduates will be equipped to work in areas such as government innovation, digital and technology teams, sustainability and environmental design, healthcare and corporate or social innovation.
The additional strategic design skills from the master degree will equip you for leadership, strategy and consultancy‑focused roles where design is used to drive innovation and change across sectors.
Possible careers
- Circular designer
- Circular economy strategist
- Design strategist
- Digital ethics lead
- Futures designer
- Product lifecycle strategist
- Service designer
- Social innovation designer
- Strategic content creator
- Strategic design manager
- Strategic foresight designer
- Sustainable sourcing manager
- Systems change designer
- Transformation designer
DV99 is a vertical double degree, combining the Bachelor of Design (Strategic Design) with Master of Design (Strategic Design). It is comprised of:
- 72 credit points of core units
- 96 credit points Strategic Design major
- 12 credit points of QUT You units
- 60 credit points of complementary studies
Postgraduate Strategic Design Units
- 48 credit points of units from Master of Design (Strategic Design)
DV99 is a vertical double degree, combining the Bachelor of Design (Strategic Design) with Master of Design (Strategic Design). It is comprised of:
- 72 credit points of core units
- 96 credit points Strategic Design major
- 12 credit points of QUT You units
- 60 credit points of complementary studies
Postgraduate Strategic Design Units
- 48 credit points of units from Master of Design (Strategic Design)
As this is a new course, the threshold will be available mid-January 2027.
- Course code
- DV99
- QTAC code
- 412366
- CRICOS code
- 096565B
-
- Online
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Kelvin Grove
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 3 years full-time
- February and July
- February and July
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
I completed secondary school in Australia
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge C1 Advanced
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT Australia Test (120 scale) | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2027 fees
2027: Fee available from October
2027 fees
2027: $43,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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