Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) at Charles Sturt University ::

Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) BA(GraphicDsgn)

CSU’s Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) course encompasses a diverse range of disciplines and develops creative, theoretical and technical design skills.

About the course

The Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) at CSU is tailored in response to the demands of industry and the aspirations of highly motivated students.

During the course, students are encouraged to develop creative, theoretical and technical skills with a focus on aesthetic and professional understanding.

Diversity underpins the structure of the course with a cross-section of specific subjects covering all aspects of design, advertising and new media – including web and video applications. The course is available by distance education with a minor in Advertising.

Where it will take you

The teaching principle adopted for the graphic design course is simple: actively promote all our students to think first, and worry about the technology second. The merging of disciplines as diverse as design, animation, digital publishing, illustration, multimedia, packaging, web design and advertising has ensured that design graduates will have many career opportunities and options from which to choose including:

design studios
advertising agencies
digital publishing and interactive design
magazine and print production
freelance commissions and contracts

Course components

The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design at Charles Sturt University is a three-year undergraduate course with an option to study Honours in the fourth year. The course is structured in such way as to offer students a flexible platform for learning with an even mix of core subjects, contextual subjects and electives.

Twelve core subjects including digital design, experimental design, design for industry and creative advertising make up 50% of the course. These examine the different aspects of graphic design – the techniques, the process and the technology.

Contextual subjects including visual communication, aspects of design and media: history and society, make up 25% of the course. These subjects look at research, theory and history that build up the students' background knowledge and approach to design, media and communication.

The final 25% of the course is made of minor electives where you may choose between drawing, multimedia, photo-imaging and illustration. You can swap and change between these electives.

Note: Distance education students may only undertake the Advertising minor sequence.

Professionals teaching you

Dedicated professionals with a wide range of teaching and industry experience teach the course.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) is a nationally accredited and registered award in tertiary education. Graduates are eligible to apply for Associate Status with the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).

The latest facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include a new purpose-built studio with its own Mac lab and printing facilities.

The studio is situated alongside the Jack Cross Computer Centre which also allows easy access to central computing laboratories used in computer aided art and design, and desktop publishing. The School of Visual and Performing Arts has well equipped photography, television and visual arts studios which Graphic Design students may access

Work experience program

On campus students receive hands-on experience through an extensive work experience program in second and third year. In third year students are also required to work collaboratively with small clients and/or non-profit organisations researching, designing and developing a variety of promotional strategies and awareness campaigns for their client.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (24 subjects).

Further study

An Honours year is available

Master of Arts (Honours)

Doctor of Visual and Performing Arts

Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate comment

"The degree is a good stepping stone to further study and Wagga Wagga has a lot to offer.

It’s a good place to study - everything is here that you need and the facilities are excellent."

Elaine Keely

Graduate

Course structure

Full-time on campus

Session 1
GRP103 Introduction to Digital Technologies and Design
VIS101 Visual Communication
VPA101 Fundamentals of Design 1
[ ] Minor Elective

Session 2
ART214 Aspects of Design, 1850 to the Present
GRP117 Graphic Design Theory and Practice
VPA105 Digital Publishing and Typography
[ ] Minor Elective

Session 3
COM226 Media: History and Society
GRP223 Digital Design
GRP224 Design for Industry
[ ] Minor Elective

Session 4
ART222 Art, Technology and Culture
GRP225 Experimental Design
GRP226 Advertising and Design
[ ] Minor Elective

Session 5
GRP322 Campaigns, Publishing and Identity (16 points)
[ ] Non-studio Elective
[ ] Minor Elective

Session 6
COM326 Industrial and Legal Issues in the Arts
VPA319 Studio Research and Seminar (24 points)

Part-time distance education

Session 1
GRP103 Introduction to Digital Technologies and Design
VPA101 Fundamentals of Design 1

Session 2
ART214 Aspects of Design, 1850 to the Present
VPA105 Digital Publishing and Typography

Session 3
VIS101 Visual Communication
[ ] SVPA Minor Elective*

Session 4
ADV205 Advertising Creative
GRP117 Graphic Design Theory and Practice

Session 5
COM226 Media: History and Society
GRP224 Design for Industry

Session 6
GRP225 Experimental Design
GRP226 Advertising and Design

Session 7
ADV203 Principles of Advertising
GRP223 Digital Design

Session 8
ADV206 Principles of Channel Planning
ART222 Art, Technology and Culture

Session 9
GRP322 Campaigns, Publishing and Identity (16 points)

Session 10
VPA319 Studio Research and Seminar (24 points)

Session 11
ADV310 Advertising Strategy and Campaign Planning
[ ] Minor Elective

Session 12
COM326 Industrial and Legal Issues in the Arts

Minor Electives

Drawing and illustration minor sequence offered by the Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design)

GRP330 Illustration and Concepts
GRP331 Professional Illustration
VPA211 Materials and Image Research
VPA212 Materials and Image Development

Students can select five minor electives from Multimedia, Photography and/or Television Production (or from other any other disciplines within SVPA).

Advertising minor sequence (available only in DE mode)

ADV203 Principles of Advertising
ADV205 Advertising Creative
ADV206 Principles of Channel Planning
ADV310 Advertising Strategy and Campaign Planning

*SVPA Minor Elective (available only DE mode)

VPA104 Introduction to Digital Imaging
VPA211 Materials and Image Research
VPA318 Contemporary Design in Context

Note: Distance education students may only undertake the Advertising minor sequence.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

previous studies
and
other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Universities Admissions Index (UAI) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
or
have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
a TOEFL Internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
a C pass in English at the GCE ‘A’ level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
a C pass in ‘Use of English’ in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in ‘Use of English’;
completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

voluntary or paid work experience;
performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Study through	Wagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration	3 years full-time on campus 6 years part-time on campus and by distance education
Course code	Full-time: 211404 Part-time: KAAQ Distance education: EABG
Fees	Commonwealth supported place
Session available	February/July (Semester basis)
Apply through	UAC - full-time on campus study CSU Admissions Office - part-time or distance education study
UAI cut-offs	UAI + criteria

Study through	Wagga Wagga
Study mode and normal course duration	3 years full-time - onshore (within Australia) 6 years distance education - offshore
Course code	CRICOS code: 000638F Program code: 1409GD
Fees	Onshore - see fee list Offshore - see fee list
Session available	February (Semester basis)
Apply through	CSU International Admissions