Diploma of Design
Undergraduate
TUA-DES-DIP 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Welcome to the wide world of design
An ideal design course to start your career in the industry. You’ll get an overview of graphic design, fashion, interiors, and digital media. With an intro to the industry, and access to design professionals, you’re set to work out your own specialisation.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Diploma of Design
About this degree
As one of Australia’s fastest growing universities, we take a progressive approach to learning. Our courses are co-designed, developed and delivered with industry, giving you confidence that you’ll graduate job-ready.
During this course you will:
- Build a foundation of general knowledge that will serve you across all disciplines.
- Work with an array of media and tools in a range of styles.
- Experiment to discover your own personal design aesthetic.
- Discover the specific areas of design you wish to pursue further in your study.
While building valuable design experience and technical know-how, you will also collaborate in dynamic learning environments and design studios, exploring such topics as client needs, problem solving and the nature of trends.
The Diploma of Design has been developed to provide a broad sample of different design specialities for people with or without a background in design.
Our extensive selection of elective courses give you an introduction to various topic areas, and provides full credit as a pathway into the more advanced courses, so you can specialise and choose your direction after sampling everything the Diploma of Design has to offer.
Tailor your study to your lifestyle thanks to our innovative digital learning system, accessible from anywhere with 24/7 personalised support. With all your course materials online, and the option to study full or part time, on-campus, online or a blend of both it's all about flexibility.
Course duration: 1 year full time, 2 years part time, 6 months accelerated.
Recommended study pattern
The course structure compromises of 4 common core subjects and 4 elective subjects. Students must complete WIL101 last.
- Level 100: 4 common core subjects; 4 elective subjects (Level 100).
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Higher Education Diploma of Design, students must complete 80 credit points over 8 subjects as outlined in the course structure. Each subject has a value of 10 credit points. All subjects are Level 100.Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $27,240
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle. Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
Learn more about Torrens.
Explore Torrens courses.
How to apply
Torrens University Australia manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Torrens University Australia who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Torrens University Australia offers flexible entry options and study pathways, whether you’re finishing school, pursuing career progression or looking for a change.
Entry requirements for this course includes:
- An equivalent overseas higher education qualification or equivalent.
Year 12 (Australian secondary school certificate) or equivalent.
Work life experience demonstrating the ability to undertake study at the required level.
Don’t meet the entry requirements? We have numerous pathway programs to get you started. Contact our Future Student Advisors to learn about alternative entry options.
Standard English language requirements apply.
Torrens University offers pathway opportunities to further your learning. If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against a degree with Torrens University, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. Under Torrens University's Recognition of Prior Learning policy, you may be eligible for a reduction in tuition costs if you have previous study and/or work experience.
Our Future Student Advisors will happily walk you through the application process.
Career opportunities
This foundational introduction to the profession allows you to choose a direction for further study and for your future career in design across a variety of industries.
Potential career paths include:
- Designer
- Finished Artist
- Interactive Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Interior Stylist.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | $75K to $93K | Down 9% |
Multimedia Designers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers | $93K to $120K | Up 22.5% |
Web Designers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available