Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

UNDERGRADUATE

Shape the world we live in. Create sustainable products, utilise design for cultural enrichment, and participate in technological development.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not available*

Duration:
Full-time 4 years
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

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

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 4 years
Fees:

AU$46,080 (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Brunswick
Melbourne City

Overview

Are you interested in industrial design? Would you like to create change? This discipline shapes the world we live in.

Industrial designers have the ability to affect change and create powerful solutions that improve both human and environmental health and wellbeing.

Exploring the trans-disciplinary nature of contemporary industrial design, you'll engage in hands-on learning through our practice-based design studios, co-creating solutions through a human centred approach to product, service and experience design contexts.

For more than 70 years, industrial design at RMIT has offered aspiring designers groundbreaking experiences through technical, theoretical and applied immersions into the diverse and dynamic fields of industrial design practice. Working on real-world problems in industry and community contexts, this hands-on educational experience culminates in a year-long honours design research project. 

Why study industrial design at RMIT?

Graduate job-ready

Work on real-world projects within industry and community organisations.

Global connections

Take part in an overseas exchange at one of several international centres of manufacturing.

Professional associations

On completion, you will be eligible to join a number of professional societies.

You will develop a design practice through:

  • the design of sustainable products, services and systems
  • design as a mechanism for enabling social reform and cultural enrichment
  • commercial and aesthetically focused approaches to product, transportation and furniture design
  • technologically and materially mediated interactions and experiences
  • the possibilities of form, process and material in response to rapid technological advances
  • operating at the intersections of our digital and material worlds
  • using design as a conduit to address social sustainability, cultural awareness and the wellbeing of clients, users and communities
Portrait of Beatrice Zly, Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) Beatrice Zly - Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours). Product Packaging Designer at Aēsop
RMIT taught me the practical skills to become a good designer. Above all, I was given the space to apply critical thinking, to realise that design transcends the creation of beautiful objects.

Centred around a design studio model, you are equipped with unique ways to explore ideas. You'll also challenge conventional paradigms through engaging with local and international design practitioners and build industry networks throughout your studies. These life-changing educational experiences culminate in both social and entrepreneurial approaches to design. You'll gain an adaptive knowledge of making, materials, process, technology, culture and the environment. 

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Guaranteed Pathway options available

Didn't get the ATAR you needed? Guaranteed Pathways lets you preference pathway packages so you can secure your place in your goal degree and graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

Details

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Design studios are at the core of your studies.

Throughout all levels of this course you will engage in creative, industry partnered and research-led learning through design studio projects.

What is a design studio?

Design studios provide a unique way of exploring ideas by challenging designers. They are run by academics and practicing leaders from architectural and design firms. The design studio model emulates the best practice of design firms. They allow you to explore design, and connect with your peers, industry and integrate with other disciplines.

You will choose your studios from a range of options offered each semester. Studio offerings have the following orientations:

  • Service orientation, where the focus is sustainability, social innovation, health, transport, and community engagement.

  • Technology orientation where the focus is universal design and ergonomics, manufacturing, technical innovation and prototyping.

  • Object orientation, where the focus is furniture, lighting and objects for the home.

  • Digital orientation, where the focus is on emerging digital technologies, computer-aided design (AutoCAD), and coding and interaction design.

Final honours year project

Using your studio experiences, you’ll undertake a complex design research project in your final year. Your project will be showcased to the design industry and community at the Graduate Exhibition, which celebrates the industrial design discipline and its future through the work of emerging designers.

Learn from local and international design practitioners

You’ll learn from academics and lecturers who are practising designers connected with the design industry and community. The teaching staff are engaged in areas of research and offer expertise in different fields, and this knowledge will help to shape your design journey.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.

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.

Build industry networks throughout your studies.

This course provides scope for you to engage in real world projects within industry and community organisations. It focuses on developing innovative designers to practice in emerging technological, sustainable and social domains of industrial design.

Past students have partnered in the design and research departments of the following industries:

  • Automotive (Ford, Toyota and GM Holden)

  • Technology (Philips, Spatial Architecture)

  • Information Laboratory

  • Industrial design (Charlwood Design, Catalyst,Buro North)

  • Manufacturing (Crumpler, Knog, Planex, BlackMagic)

  • Service design (Deloitte, Victorian Legal Aid, Vic Roads, Australian Taxation Office)

Industrial design students have the opportunity to do exchange at partner universities in India, China, South Korea, and other centres of manufacturing, or work with industrial design students from other parts of the world.

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.

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.

Year 1 core courses will be undertaken at the city campus while Year 2 to Year 4 courses may be delivered at the city and Brunswick campuses.

Year 1

Provides foundational exposures to the methods and nature of the designed form, and the socio-cultural factors of design and designing.

Year 2

Sees an increase of the technical, technological and contextual complexity by which design activity is to be considered, and provides avenues of choice in industrial design practice.

Year 3

Significantly defines individual design capabilities and interests by providing a variety of design studio and elective topics.

Year 4

Provides the challenge of defining and demonstrating an area of professional engagement through a year-long, research-led and industry-engaged design project. This experience acts as a scaffold for entry into the profession, and opens up opportunities beyond graduation.

Course structure

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

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
Program code: BH104
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
City Campus
4 years full-time
BH104P15
080225J
Location
City Campus
Duration
4 years full-time
Plan code
BH104P15
CRICOS
080225J
View plan
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
City Campus
4 years full-time
BH104P15
080225J
Location
City Campus
Duration
4 years full-time
Plan code
BH104P15
CRICOS
080225J
View plan
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
City Campus
4 years Full-time
BH104P25
080225J
Location
City Campus
Duration
4 years Full-time
Plan code
BH104P25
CRICOS
080225J
View plan
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
City Campus
4 years Full-time
BH104P25
080225J
Location
City Campus
Duration
4 years Full-time
Plan code
BH104P25
CRICOS
080225J
View plan

Please note: The BH104P15 plan is not available for commencing students. New applicants must apply for BH104P25.

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

Career

Graduates work in a broad range of contexts and settings relevant to new enterprise development, design innovation and the development of contemporary cities.

They can find work in product and manufacturing companies, in consultancy, entertainment, education, cultural and services sectors, and for research institutions.

Cross-disciplinary designers work in emerging fields of design practice, others start and run their own design or product-producing businesses.

The course prepares graduates to undertake Masters by Research or PhD after successful completion of this degree.

Graduate successes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) have gone on to work as:

  • Vice President of Global Design General Motors, USA

  • Service Design Analysts at Deloitte Digital

  • Industrial Designer at Katapult Design

  • Product Designer at Colorific, a toy design and development distributor

  • Industrial Designer at Wild Design, Shanghai, China

  • Industrial Designer at Blackmagic Design.

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  • Design Institute of Australia – students are eligible for student membership and graduates are eligible for full membership
  • International Interaction Designers Association (IxDA) – students and graduates are eligible for membership
  • Association of Women Industrial Designers (AWID) – students and graduates are eligible for membership.

Graduates are also eligible for membership of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Admissions

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4:

  • a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL; or
  • a study score of at least 27 in English as an Additional Language (EAL)

or equivalent studies.

Rankings and adjustment factors

Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.

You may be eligible to receive adjustment factors which include equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments to a maximum of 28 aggregate adjustment points. For more information about what adjustment factors RMIT considers visit Admission to RMIT.

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.

Selection criteria by applicant type

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.

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Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement. You will be ranked on your ATAR plus any adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12

School Network Access Program (SNAP)

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.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.

Subject adjustments

  • A study score of 40 in any English equals 2 aggregate points per study. 
  • A study score of 30 in Art Creative Practice, Product Design and Technologies, Media, Art Making and Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design equals 2 aggregate points per study. 
  • Overall maximum of 4 points. 

Regional adjustments

  • RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. 
  • Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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., level of TAFE qualification completed (including any adjustment factors).

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.

You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your highest completed qualification:

  • Advanced Diploma: 81
  • Diploma: 72
  • Certificate IV: 54

Personal statement

You are encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining:

  • your reasons for wanting to study this program
  • your intended career path
  • the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only.

Applicants applying to RMIT through VTAC can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via their online VTAC account.

Applicants applying Direct to RMIT can upload their completed personal statement via their online Direct application.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.

Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your 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:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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., GPA (including any adjustment factors).

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. Previous fail grades in similar courses may affect your eligibility.

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 will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your GPA. 

Personal statement

You are encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining:

  • your reasons for wanting to study this program
  • your intended career path
  • the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only.

Applicants applying to RMIT through VTAC can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via their online VTAC account.

Applicants applying Direct to RMIT can upload their completed personal statement via their online Direct application.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.

Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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., Special Tertiary Admission 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.

Personal statement

You are encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining:

  • your reasons for wanting to study this program
  • your intended career path
  • the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only.

Applicants applying to RMIT through VTAC can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via their online VTAC account.

Applicants applying Direct to RMIT can upload their completed personal statement via their online Direct application.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.

Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work and life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Subject adjustments

  • A study score of 40 in any English equals 2 aggregate points per study. 
  • A study score of 30 in Art Creative Practice, Product Design and Technologies, Media, Art Making and Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design equals 2 aggregate points per study. 
  • Overall maximum of 4 points. 

Regional adjustments

  • RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. 
  • Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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.

Additional information

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View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this program 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 program.

*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 degree.

You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 70% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program 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.

Entry score calculator
Minimum Score Required

Don’t meet the requirements?

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.

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.

Selection task

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Semester 1, 2025

If you are applying via VTAC, you must complete and submit the Industrial Design selection task by the following dates:

Selection task dates

VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by
December/January rounds 1 (all applicants)  22 November 2024
January subsequent rounds (if places are available) 16 January 2025  

Selection task requirements

Applicant statement

Why do you want to study Industrial Design at RMIT? We want to know more about you, including extra curricular activities or any work experience you have completed.

If you are not currently completing year 12, include what you have been doing since finishing secondary school.

Please do not limit yourself to design related activities, we are interested in a broad range of experiences (maximum 350 words).

Folio

Provide a folio of projects or activities that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your interests and experiences. This could include projects undertaken within formal study, hobbies, volunteer or paid work, or any relevant activity that gives an insight into your design capabilities.

Choose one of the options below:

Option 1: Design projects

Provide 3 - 5 projects of work. Each project file must include the following:

  • The title of the project and the year(s) with an image of the finished work
  • A short description of the work (if you don’t know what to write- start with What is it, Why did I do it and How did I do it?) 50-100 words
  • Research or inspiration (1-2 pages)
  • Sketching or Concept models (1-3 pages)
  • Development of the final outcome- some process of making. This can be more refined models or prototypes, CAD or other software programs (2-4 pages)
  • Final outcome (1-2 pages) with self reflection on project
Option 2: Life or work experience

If you have done paid or volunteer work or have life experience that you think is worth showing you may want to describe and/or visualise those outcomes or experiences. This can be one project or a number of different experiences.

Submission instructions

  • Upload your work as a single PDF (maximum size 4MB).
  • Film or sound based: Ensure that file types are common (maximum size 4MB).
  • The file name must be in this format based on your folio option: Projects/Experience_your surname (e.g. Projects_Smith or Experience_Smith.PDF).

OR

  • Provide a URL. Please provide a username or password if applicable.

You can optimize the size of your PDFs through Adobe Acrobat or make sure your images are not large file sizes.

Semester 1, 2026

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2025.

Art and Design application tips

View the following videos for some practical application advice:

Female student looking at an art folio

Applying for Art and Design courses

Here's some advice for preparing folios and pre-selection kits to help make the process easier.

two students looking at artwork

Art and design selection interviews

Wondering how an art and design selection interview works? Here's everything you need to know.

Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 333kb) along with your application.

Additional information

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If you have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 such as VCE, you can find the ATAR for your RMIT course on our admissions transparency page.

*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.

Pathways

Animated character in front of RMIT pixel, with a flying degree above their head

Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

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This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.

Guaranteed Pathways available

Didn't get the ATAR you needed for entry into this degree?

At RMIT we've got your back, with a range study options to help you achieve your goals, no matter your ATAR.

Guaranteed Pathways gives you the option to preference pathway packages when you apply to RMIT.

If you apply and are successful in gaining a place in a Guaranteed Pathway package, you will progress straight into the Bachelor Degree upon successful completion of the relevant vocational degree (otherwise known as TAFE) first.

With a Guaranteed Pathway package, you can graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

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.

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

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You are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) with credit when you successfully complete one of the following RMIT programs:

Alternatively, you can gain entry from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.

Coming from a partner institution?

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.

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.

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

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2025 indicative fees

In 2024, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,627 to AU$16,992*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024*.The SSAF fees information for the 2025 intake has been delayed by the Australian government and will be updated when it is available.
  • 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

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.

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.

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.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

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 2025. 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.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2025 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2025
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,627 per standard year
$578 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 $9,314 per standard year
$1,164 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $13,241 per standard year
$1,655 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $16,992 per standard year
$2,124 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can not longer study in a CSP.

For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.

HECS-HELP Loans

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.

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.

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 2024 is $351.The SSAF fees information for the 2025 intake has been delayed by the Australian government and will be updated when it is available.

Materials fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

Jayco Scholarship

For a Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) student who can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth up to $40,000.

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 2024 is $351.

Material fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

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