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.
- This course prepares you to work as a visual communication designer across traditional and new interactive media forms.
- Develop practical and theoretical skills in graphic design, typography, image making, information design, experience design, motion design, branding and interaction 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.
- This course prepares you to work as a visual communication designer across traditional and new interactive media forms.
- Develop practical and theoretical skills in graphic design, typography, image making, information design, experience design, motion design, branding and interaction 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?
Visual communication is the conveyance of ideas and information through a broad range of forms that can be seen including signs, typography, drawing, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, advertising, animation, colour and electronic resources. Visual communication can be powerful. In the right hands, it can craft an image that adds enormous value to a brand. It can simplify the complex. It can help a message to break through the communication clutter.
This degree will give you the skills and finesse you need to be a confident and agile visual communicator. You will develop skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, technical proficiencies and professional practice that will ensure you can contribute to the field of visual communication in innovative and socially responsible ways.
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 (Visual Communication) with the Master of Design (Strategic Design), allowing you to complete both qualifications in four years full-time rather than studying them separately.
This course prepares you for diverse and agile career pathways in design, technology and innovation. It focuses on the cutting-edge design skills, knowledge and capabilities needed for a contemporary designer to work across multiple fields, practices and contexts.
Your degree will begin with introductory and shared impact lab units where, working with students from other disciplines, you’ll focus on problems and social issues and identify potential solutions connected to industry and community.
You will then develop both practical and theoretical skills in multiple visual communication design specialisations including graphic design, typography, image making, information design, experience design, motion design, branding and interaction design.
You will progress to develop deeper skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, technical proficiencies and professional practice that will ensure you can contribute to the field of visual communication in innovative and socially responsible ways.
Careers and outcomes
You will graduate with two degrees in a growing employment area with career pathways available in graphic design, digital media, interactive design, branding, art direction, motion graphics design, advertising, print publication, illustration, information design, service and experience design, packaging and exhibition design.
The additional strategic design skills from the master degree are increasingly sought after by organisations looking to innovate, support communities and rethink systems. Graduates are equipped for leadership, strategy and consultancy‑focused roles where design is used to drive innovation and change across sectors.
Beyond technical and creative expertise, graduates develop advanced capabilities in strategic judgement, systems thinking, ethical decision-making and leading change in complex environments. These are increasingly valued by employers as organisations adapt to rapid technological, social and environmental change, and complement rather than compete with disruptive technologies such as AI.
Possible careers
- Art director
- Brand manager
- Creative director
- Creative entrepreneur
- Design strategist
- Digital content designer
- Exhibition designer
- Fashion illustrator
- Graphic designer
- Media planner / buyer
- Motion graphics designer
- Strategic design manager
- Theatre designer
DV99 is a vertical double degree, combining the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) with Master of Design (Strategic Design). It is comprised of:
- 72 credit points of core units
- 96 credit points Visual Communication 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 (Visual Communication) with Master of Design (Strategic Design). It is comprised of:
- 72 credit points of core units
- 96 credit points Visual Communication 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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