Shape the way our world communicates. Learn how spaces and sectors can be utilised to effectively start important conversations.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
In the Bachelor of Graphic Design you’ll gain the fundamentals you need to become an effective integrated designer. Working as part of a creative community, you’ll learn to shape how people understand, navigate and engage with the world around them.
At RMIT, you will learn to use design as a strategic tool, shaping how people understand, navigate and engage with the world. You will build the creative thinking, research capability and design judgement needed to work across industries and adapt as the field evolves.
"We teach graphic design through situated learning that simulates a studio environment. It’s studio-based learning where you synthesise real-world scenarios such as briefs with supplemented readings and you develop, critique and refine your work."
- Ziga Testen, Associate Lecturer of Graphic Design
Build a strong foundation in graphic design as a discipline, including:
These fundamentals underpin everything from branding and UX to service design. Graphic design is the starting point for broader integrated design practice.
From Semester 1 2026, this degree (previously known as the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)) has been re-named to Bachelor of Graphic Design in order to better reflect the updated course structure.
Develop creative thinking, visual storytelling and design judgement – skills that remain essential as tools and technologies change.
Study in a studio-based learning model, working collaboratively, responding to briefs and refining your work through critique. This mirrors professional design practice.
Join a community of creative thinkers and doers, supported by lecturers and industry practitioners who bring current perspectives into design spaces.
Design is evolving, but the need for designers remains. As automation changes production tasks, the demand for creative thinking, problem-solving and human-centred design continues to grow. This course prepares you to work with new tools and technologies, including AI, by building the expertise needed to direct, evaluate and refine outcomes rather than simply produce them.
The best designers don’t compete with AI. They direct it.
Dive deep into your specialisation through majors and extend your breadth of knowledge through our range of interdisciplinary minors.
You'll learn human-centred research methods, interaction design, and service design – skills that require empathy, observation, and strategic thinking. Graduates pursue careers as UI/UX designers, service designers, interaction designers, placemaking consultants and user experience strategists.
You'll develop skills in brand strategy, creative direction, and identity systems – learning to craft cohesive brand experiences that resonate with audiences. Graduates work as brand strategists, creative directors, and visual identity designers.
You'll develop a distinctive style and learn to apply image-making strategically across editorial, advertising, publishing, communications and digital contexts. Graduates work as illustrators, concept artists, visual storytellers, and editorial illustrators.
You'll delve into the specialist domain of type design and explore experimental approaches, with a focus on medium-specific typography for readability. The craft of typography can lead to a career as a book designer, publication designer for print and digital applications, or a specialist typographer in branding, placemaking and wayfinding teams.
Bachelor of Graphic Design students engage in a diverse array of projects that demonstrate their grasp of contemporary design principles and their ability to craft compelling visual narratives and effective communication strategies.
This course has a strong focus on studio learning, enabling you to learn by doing. All lecturers have worked in the design industry throughout their careers, and will offer you key insights into the contemporary design world.
Throughout your degree, you’ll:
This approach reflects how designers work in industry, solving problems, refining ideas and communicating outcomes.
Industry is embedded throughout the course. You’ll have opportunities to work on industry-partnered studio projects, learn from guest lecturers and practitioners and undertake an optional internship.
You’ll build real-world experience, working on projects with industry partners, including:
At RMIT, we prioritise hands-on learning. In dedicated spaces, our students use cutting-edge tools to work on creative projects in an atmosphere of collaboration and exploration. Take your designs from concept to completion, gathering real-time feedback and inspiration along the way.
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.
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:
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.
Students have the option to study overseas for a semester as an exchange or study abroad student. Past students have studied in North America and Europe. As design is an international language, your skills will equip you to work in the Australian design industry as well as overseas.
This course is also delivered as a top-up in Singapore in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management.
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.
Full- or part-time study is determined by how many credit points you are enrolled in during the semester. An undergraduate full-time study load is considered to be 48 credit points (approximately 3 to 4 subjects), and part-time is considered to be 24 credit points or fewer (approximately 2 subjects) per semester.
If you need to reduce your study load below 48 credit points in any semester throughout your degree, please discuss your study options with your academic advisor prior to enrolment. This may impact your enrolment structure, program duration and tuition fees.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Software delivery is taught in association with the design process, rather than in isolation. On completion of the degree, your software knowledge will be of industry standard for print and digital media.
Graphic design graduates work across almost every industry because every organisation needs to communicate clearly and effectively across multiple media. You could work in roles such as:
RMIT graduates work across design studios, tech companies, government, cultural institutions and corporate organisations. Many also establish their own studios or freelance practice, combining design expertise and business acumen. In Australia, graphic design remains a recognised profession with thousands of practitioners working across the economy.
Graphic designers create visual media such as branding, logo designs, advertisements, web design, product packaging, magazines, TV commercials, and more.
In Australia, the average salary for a graphic designer is $80,000 per year*.
UX designers are problem-solvers that ensure the digital experience makes sense to people, making things not only functional but enjoyable for users. It’s about finding out what users need, then coming up with creative solutions to meet those needs.
In Australia, the average salary for a UX designer is $110,000 per year*.
The average salary in Australia is $75,000 per year*.
The average salary in Australia is $78,000 per year*.
The average salary in Australia is $93,000 per year*.
The average salary in Australia is $110,000 per year*.
*Source: Seek.com.au 2026
You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4:
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on the assessment of their selection task.
You must complete and submit the Graphic Design selection task^.
Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date below, if places are still available.
For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Applicants who are applying via one of the RMIT pathways for this degree are exempted from the selection task requirements. To specify that you are applying via one of the pathways, submit your response through the selection task.
The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
| Applicant type | Register and submit the selection task by |
|---|---|
| All applicants | 17 July 2026 |
Describe how your interests and experience will contribute to the RMIT Graphic Design community. Interest and experience can include any employment, voluntary work, etc (maximum 200 words).
Describe an aspect of your local or broader community where design could have a positive impact and how you think this could be achieved (maximum 200 words).
You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any written statements in your selection task submission.
Provide examples of your projects (up to a maximum of 4 pages in total) that best demonstrate your creative passion including both development work and finished work. If you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate images in your folio, please describe where this occurs and what AI tools were used (maximum 100 words).
Provide a written statement (maximum 200 words) that covers the motivation and aims behind the project and how this project reflects your values and passions. If you are submitting multiple projects, the statement is for only one of the chosen projects. You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any written statements in your selection task submission.
Your folio should be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 4MB). The maximum pages allowed is 4.
If you would like to upload film or sound-based work, please ensure that file types are common (maximum file size 4MB; maximum duration 4 minutes).
Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your work. Please provide a username and/or password if applicable.
You must complete and submit the Graphic Design selection task^. Late submissions will not be considered.
Applicants who are applying via one of the RMIT pathways for this degree are exempted from the selection task requirements. To specify that you are applying via one of the pathways, submit your response through the selection task.
If you are applying via VTAC, you must complete and submit the Graphic Design selection task by the following date.
| Applicant type | Register and submit the selection task by |
|---|---|
| All VTAC applicants | TBC |
You must complete and submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application. Please see the Apply page for information on eligibility to apply direct.
| Applicant type | Register and submit the selection task by |
|---|---|
| All direct applicants | TBC |
Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2026.
Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you, in addition to meeting the above entry requirements.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice and achieving a minimum overall score of 156.
Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education and training study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
You must have successfully completed at least two courses (subjects) in an Australian bachelor degree or four courses (subjects) in an Australian associate degree, or overseas equivalent.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice and achieving a minimum overall score of 156.
Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) score (including any adjustment factors).
You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice and achieving a minimum overall score of 156.
Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work and life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
Here's some advice for preparing folios and pre-selection kits to help make the process easier.
Wondering how an art and design selection interview works? Here's everything you need to know.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.
Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your course so that you can participate fully in your studies.
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this course wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most relevant recent intake period.
The student profile provides insight into the likely peer group for this course.
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 65% (see calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies course or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
If you are an international student studying year 12 in Australia, you may be able to apply via VTAC with your ATAR.
Find information about the ATAR selection rank* for this course in our ATAR for International students course finder.
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
All applicants are required to complete and submit a selection task for this program. See below for full selection task details.
You must complete and submit the Graphic Design selection task by the following date. Late submissions will not be considered.
If you are a VTAC applicant and have submitted the selection task before the deadline, you are still able to add this course to your preference list through your VTAC portal. Please refer to the VTAC website for the application dates to ensure you are considered for the relevant VTAC round.
| VTAC round | Register and submit the selection task by |
|---|---|
| VTAC international applicants | TBC |
Describe how your interests and experience will contribute to the RMIT Graphic Design community. Interest and experience can include any employment, voluntary work, etc (maximum 200 words).
Describe an aspect of your local or broader community where design could have a positive impact and how you think this could be achieved (maximum 200 words).
You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any written statements in your selection task submission.
Provide examples of your projects (up to a maximum of four pages in total) that best demonstrate your creative passion including both development work and finished work. If you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate images in your folio, please describe where this occurs and what AI tools were used (maximum 100 words).
Provide a written statement (maximum 200 words) that covers the motivation and aims behind the project and how this project reflects your values and passions. If you are submitting multiple projects, the statement is for only one of the chosen projects. You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any written statements in your selection task submission.
Your folio should be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 4MB). The maximum pages allowed is four.
If you would like to upload film or sound-based work, please ensure that file types are common (maximum file size 4MB, maximum duration 4 minutes).
All file names must be in the format:
Application number_Surname_Project number (e.g. 12365478L_Smith_Project 2.jpg).
Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your work. Please provide a username and/or password if applicable.
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
Here's some advice for preparing folios and pre-selection kits to help make the process easier.
Wondering how an art and design selection interview works? Here's everything you need to know.
Selection task: You are required to submit a completed selection task along with your application.
To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.
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 Language Pathways (Academic English) Advanced at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.
Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your course so that you can participate fully in your studies.
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
This course has pathways available.
When you successfully complete this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.
You are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Graphic Design from a range of RMIT programs. Successful completion and the grades you achieve determine the amount of credit you will receive.
When you successfully complete the Diploma of Graphic Design you will receive 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 48 credit points)
From 2021 to 2023, when you achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0) in the Associate Degree in Graphic Design, you will receive 4 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 192 credit points). If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to participate in a folio presentation. You will be assessed on a case by case basis and entry is not guaranteed.
From 2024, successful completion of the Associate Degree in Graphic Design guarantees entry into the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) with 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points).
Alternatively, you can gain entry from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.
RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world.
If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program.
Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT
If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
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 their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
In 2026, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,738 to AU$17,399.
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.
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2026. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture | $4,738 per standard year
$592 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology | $9,537 per standard year
$1,192 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $13,558 per standard year
$1,694 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | $17,399 per standard year
$2,174 per standard (12 credit point) course |
On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
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.
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.
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 2026 is $373.
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.
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.
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 2026 is $373.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
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.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
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.
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.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
