Master of Communication Design

Master of Communication Design

POSTGRADUATE

Develop your skills in communication design and work across government and non-government organisations.

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Student type:
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

Not applicable

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

AU$29,760 (2023 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$38,400 (2023 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

With the Master of Communication Design you will develop expertise in communication design practice, and focus on design entrepreneurship and strategic design thinking.

Push your creative boundaries and think critically to find design solutions to communication challenges.

Develop expert knowledge and specialised technical and creative skills to prepare for professional roles in multidisciplinary environments, including communication design studios, digital design consultancies, advertising agencies, design teams within other organisations, and in independent practices. You will be able to work independently or in teams, and you will be able to communicate confidently with other design professionals and clients.

You will enhance your practice through studies in:

  • strategic design thinking
  • best practice in communication design
  • typography
  • theory and criticism
  • research methods.

Under expert guidance from RMIT’s team of nationally and internationally renowned practitioners and educators, you’ll advance your knowledge and practice as a communication design practitioner and will be well prepared to contribute to global industry developments and design innovation.

RMIT University is ranked as #1 in Oceania and #15 in the world for studies in art and design. [QS rankings by subject 2023]

Why study communication design at RMIT?

Learn from the best

Staff exhibit internationally and have been nominated in the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards and received awards including the AGDA Pinnacle Award and the ABDA Designer’s Choice Book of the Year.

Grow your network

Build your professional network by working with like-minded industry partners and clients on real-world briefs and projects.

Dedicated facilities

Immerse yourself in your practice with unrestricted access to dedicated postgraduate studio facilities with state-of-the-art design and printing equipment. You can also access photography, editing and production suites for cross-discipline projects.

Further your design thinking
Renowned design practitioners will lead you through studio-based subjects, where you’ll work on briefs and campaigns with industry partners.
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RMIT is one of the biggest facilitators of design practice in Melbourne, and RMIT and the design industry are closely tied together. I already had a foundation in design but this degree enables me to nurture it.  
Portrait of Cindy Limardiono, Master of Communication Design student at RMIT – Cindy Limardiono, Master of Communication Design student

Details

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Learn through lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, case studies, studio practice, problem-based learning, reflective techniques (e.g. blogs, journals), online and face-to-face presentations, group-based learning and discussions.

Assessment activities include design projects, research assignments, reports, portfolio production, essays, presentations, and peer or industry review. Projects, reports and presentations will be directly related to current industry practices.

You will have access to online resources through the student portal.

Blended learning options

Courses offered as part of blended learning programs include a meaningful blend of online, on-campus, and workplace based learning tailored to the type of study you undertake. This learning is active, prioritising tasks that involve exploration and development of skills and knowledge through interaction and engagement.

Online aspects provide positive benefits such as flexibility and adaptability using digital activities and materials, while also strengthening the interaction and connection with timetabled and on-campus experiences such as tutorials, practicals, or workshops.

As a Master of Communication Design student, you'll benefit from an academic team of internationally renowned and award-winning design practitioners and educators. 

There will also be a number of opportunities to connect with industry through work-integrated learning and by engaging with visiting industry professionals, who will deliver guest lectures and studio intensives.

Recently, students of the Master of Communication Design contributed to the redesign of the brand identity for programs within Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA)

Design is an international language, enabling you to produce work for local and global audiences and industries.

This degree attracts a strong international student cohort due to RMIT University’s worldwide reputation as a leader in design education.

You will have the opportunity to take part in postgraduate study tours, which allow you to study with students from other disciplines including advertising, public relations and communications.

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global 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 Diploma of Communication Design is available an exit award of this degree.  Any advanced standing you receive for the masters degree is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all subjects specified in the relevant course structure.

International student visa holders can only study full-time.

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 around a series of major studio subjects that focus on entrepreneurship, strategic design thinking, and best practice in communication design with a global focus.

These studio subjects are supported by advanced studies in typography, theory and criticism, research methods and other specialisations.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to undertake an individually negotiated professional research project. This will enable you to bring your knowledge and skills together, connect theory and practice, and make a meaningful contribution to the design industries.

The Master of Communication Design consists of 192 credit points. A graduate diploma exit point is also available (upon completion of 96 credit points).

Course structure

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

Master of Communication Design
Program code: MC250
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Master of Communication Design
City Campus
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, reduced duration available
MC250
084351D
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, reduced duration available
Plan code
MC250
CRICOS
084351D
View plan
Master of Communication Design
City Campus
2 years full-time
MC250
084351D
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
MC250
CRICOS
084351D
View plan

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

Career

Male student standing in hte middle of the road, outside a Melbourne CBD space

Creative careers for visual strategists

Graduate ready to manage in industry or start your own design studio through a specialised degree that opens career opportunities across the world. 

The Master of Communication Design opens career opportunities across the world.

Design thinking is increasingly important in most organisations, and employers are looking for the advanced knowledge and skills demonstrated by graduates of this degree. Graduates will be able to practise entrepreneurial and collaborative approaches to design, driving the creation of new business enterprises.

Graduates can enter into roles such as

  • communication designer
  • design manager
  • account manager
  • design strategist
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Graduates of the Master of Communication Design are eligible to become members of:

Association with these bodies provides benefits such as employment information, and prizes and awards that are relevant to career development.

In Australia there are no professional bodies that recognise or accredit programs in communication design.

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
  • at least 3 years professional experience in graphic design, communication design and/or visual communication.

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.

Semester 1, 2023

You must complete and submit the Communication Design selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

Entry into this program is competitive and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applicants 24 February 2023

The selection task requires:

Applicant statement

Outline your perspective of the current state of communication design and the future of the discipline (maximum 365 words).

To prepare this statement, please watch Design histories, cultures and futures' and reflect on your own personal design history, culture and preferred future(s). Then please read, and use as a point of departure, Norman Potter’s essay 'What is a designer?' (2002) (The essay is also available as a PDF within the selection task once you submit your application). You may find it helpful to consider the following questions:

  • Are Potter’s ideas still relevant today? 
  • If so, which of his ideas are still relevant, and how?
  • If not, which of his ideas are outdated, and why? 
  • What does this say about the future of communication design? 
  • Where do you see communication design taking you in the next 3 years?
Experience

Provide a statement that details any relevant experience including employment, voluntary work, creative practices, etc., or a description of what you have done, over what periods and how it strengthens your application to this program (maximum 250 words).

Folio

Provide a folio of 15 to 30 pieces of your work. Your folio should be communication design focused, although it may contain a variety of work including, art, design or media work that demonstrates the breadth of your interests and expertise, as well as your conceptual and technical skills.

For example, your folio may include: drawings, paintings, graphic design, photographs, motion graphics, digital images, models, sculpture, video, interactive media, games, websites, short writing pieces, 2D and 3D animation, and/or reports. In addition to your finished work, you may include your development work.

You should provide an explanation of each work including its purpose and background. If your work is a collaboration, please also detail precisely your role and the role of your collaborator/s (maximum 200 words).

Submission instructions

Images must be collated in a single PDF (maximum file size 10MB). Flash animation and QuickTime movies are acceptable, however, please ensure that the files are built or exported and open independently of the creator program (maximum file size 10MB).

If your creative work is on YouTube or other websites you must supply the URL. Please provide the username and/or password if applicable.

Semester 2, 2023

Selection task details and submission dates will be available on 1 May 2023 for programs with a midyear intake. 

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
  • at least 3 years professional experience in graphic design, communication design and/or visual communication.

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.

Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 242kb) along with your application.

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 Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

Graduates from the Graduate Certificate in Service Design can continue their studies in this program, subject to the program’s entrance requirements.

Masters advanced standing

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications specialising in graphic design, communication design or visual communication, 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 semester 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.

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 specialising in graphic design, communication design or visual communication, 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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2023 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$29,760.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023*.
  • 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 2023 is $326. 

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

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

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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The annual tuition fee for 2023 is AU$38,400.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2023 commencement is AU$76,800.

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.

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 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.

More information