Master of Design Innovation and Technology

Master of Design Innovation and Technology

POSTGRADUATE

Work in the fields of architecture, interior, industrial and experience design.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Part-time 4 years
Reduced duration available
Fees:

AU$37,440 (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$ 45,120 (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Through the engagement of an international community of forward-thinking, practice-based academic researchers and professional designers, with the Master of Design Innovation and Technology you will join a dynamic learning environment that is in a continual state of evolution.

As innovation in design practice is positioned at the intersection of several disciplines, you will have the opportunity to address issues from a wide variety of professions such as engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, industrial design, service design, graphic design, animation, interaction, lighting, media and sound design.

Why study design innovation and technology at RMIT?

Strong industry links

Gain real-life, practical experience and collaborate closely with industry partners.

Global opportunities

Gain valuable experience with our global intensive design studios and network of international collaborators.

Acclaimed academics

Learn from local and global leaders in small classes and purpose-built design studios.

Details

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Each semester you will choose from a selection of design studios that form the core of studies within the curriculum.

The studios address issues relating to the development of technologies and their innovative application. 

The design studio briefs are connected to industry partnered projects and academic research collaborations. You will work collaboratively with colleagues from a range of disciplinary backgrounds in a studio-based model.

International intensive studios and electives that integrate travel into the curriculum are offered each year, with up to two weeks spent in an international location relevant to the project.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

You will have the opportunity to address real issues faced by organisations and collaborate closely with industry partners in the development of design solutions.

This degree has strong industry links to local and global leaders in design, architecture and engineering practice, technology companies, digital fabricators, government institutions and industry bodies.

Integrating this industry expertise into the curriculum is a key aspect of this degree.

Global intensive design studios are offered in cities around the world such Barcelona, Shanghai, New York and Cologne.

In addition to overseas workshops, this degree has an extensive network of international collaborators in North America, Europe and Asia.

Overseas work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through overseas work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

  • 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing)
  • 1 - 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent (with advanced standing).

For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.

The Graduate Certificate of Design Innovation and Technology and Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation and Technology are available as exit awards of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the master's degree is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with one of these qualifications, you must have completed all subjects specified in the relevant course structure.

  • 2 years full-time (without advanced standing)
  • 1 - 1.5 years full-time (with advanced standing).

For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

This degree is structured to accommodate working professionals who want to advance the use of technology in their design practice.

A Graduate Diploma is offered as an alternative exit point after 1 year.

Each semester, you will choose from a range of partnered design projects and skill-based elective offerings that address the following research streams:

  • Digital Fabrication: digital design, fabrication and advanced manufacturing
  • Sustainable Systems: responsive and responsible energy efficient design solutions
  • Information Environments: connections between data, information, people and space
  • Interactive Technologies: interactive and intelligent objects and spaces
  • Spatial Sound: sound based explorations across virtual, urban and natural environments
  • Phenomena and Affect: embodied, sensorial and affective immersive environments
  • Critical Practice: contextual frameworks and speculative design propositions.

Elective subjects include:

  • Flexible Modelling
  • 3D Printing for Creative
  • Designing with Data
  • Making Things Interactive
  • Soundscape Studies
  • Service Design
  • Design Process and Communication.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Master of Design Innovation and Technology
Program code: MC231
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Master of Design Innovation and Technology
City Campus
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, Reduced duration available
MC231
080000D
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, Reduced duration available
Plan code
MC231
CRICOS
080000D
View plan
Master of Design Innovation and Technology
City Campus
2 years full-time
MC231
080000D
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
MC231
CRICOS
080000D
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Graduates may pursue many professional pathways, including work in the fields of interactive design, service design, experience design, sound design, bio-design and sustainability, product design, exhibition design, interior design, architecture and engineering.

You will become an expert in:

  • analysing current trends and future innovations within design
  • formulating design methodologies that bring together digital, interactive, sustainable and audio-visual technologies in the design of products, systems and urban spaces.
  • realising complex design solutions that integrate cutting edge technology with the needs of people.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification)

    OR
  • undertaken at least 3 years of work experience or professional practice in a related field.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification)

    OR
  • undertaken at least 3 years of work experience or professional practice in a related field.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

To have your professional experience considered, you must include in your application:

  • a curriculum vitae (CV)
  • a statement that details your experience.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Design Innovation and Technology guarantees entry into this master program with 48 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent to 0.5 year full-time study).

Masters advanced standing

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in architecture, landscape architecture or design (related to built environment, interior design, industrial design, graphic design, communication design, digital design, games design, animation and interactive media), you will be eligible for advanced standing as follows:

Qualification level Advanced standing Remaining program duration
Bachelor degree (AQF level 7)   48 credit points (equivalent to one semester of full-time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters of full-time study)
Bachelor degree (Honours) (AQF level 8)   96 credit points (equivalent to two semester of full-time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters of full-time study)
Graduate Certificate (AQF level 8)   48 credit points (equivalent to one semesters of full-time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters of full-time study)
Graduate Diploma (AQF level 8)   96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters of full-time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters of full-time study)

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for Australian qualifications in vocational and higher education.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Applicants with a bachelor degree (honours), graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Master Advanced Standing

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in architecture, landscape architecture or design (related to built environment, interior design, industrial design, graphic design, communication design, digital design, games design, animation and interactive media), you will be eligible for advanced standing as follows:

Qualification level Advanced standing Remaining program duration
Bachelor degree (AQF level 7) 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Bachelor honours degree (AQF level 8) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)
Graduate certificate (AQF level 8) 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Graduate diploma (AQF level 8) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for Australian qualifications in vocational and higher education.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit.

Credits

Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and weightings, and reference to the learning resources.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

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2025 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$37,440 (2025 annual fee)*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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