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:

Range of criteria*

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$44,160 (2023 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. 

Animated student holding qualification

Guaranteed Pathway options available

Didn't get the ATAR you needed? Guaranteed Pathways lets you preference pathway packages in VTAC 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 1-3 core courses will be undertaken on the City Campus while year 4 core courses will be undertaken on the Brunswick campus. Program options courses may be delivered on the City or Brunswick campus.

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

VTAC code

If you are eligible* to apply via The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), copy and paste the below code into VTAC CourseSearch.

  • Plan BH104P15 - 3200632361

*Please ensure that you have checked the admissions requirements and apply page before applying.

VTAC code

If you are eligible* to apply via The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), copy and paste the below code into VTAC CourseSearch.

  • Plan BH104P15 - 3200632363

*Please ensure that you have checked the admissions requirements and apply page before applying.

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

Below are some examples of industrial design graduates shaping the design world:

  • Mike Simcoe
    Vice President of Global Design General Motors, USA

  • Laura Morrison and Jaide-Scarlet Begg
    Service Design Analysts at Deloitte Digital

  • Kyle Armstrong
    Industrial Designer at Katapult Design

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

  • Jiazhen Chen 
    Industrial Designer at Wild Design, Shanghai, China

  • Luca Abate 
    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 an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification).

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL, or equivalent studies.

Rankings and adjustment factors

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on the assessment of their selection task.

Selection task

You must complete and submit the Industrial 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.

Selection task dates

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

14 July 2023

Selection task requirements

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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).

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.PDF 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.

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2023. 

You must complete and submit the Industrial Design selection task.

Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task dates below, 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

Selection task dates for VTAC applicants

If you are applying via VTAC, you must complete and submit the Industrial Design selection task by one of the dates below to be considered for selection in that VTAC round:

VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by
November round (Non year 12 applicants only)

TBC

December/January rounds (All applicants)

 TBC
February rounds (if places are available) TBC
Selection task dates for direct applicants

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
Direct applicants

TBC

Selection criteria by applicant type

The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.

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You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.

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.

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.

You must have successfully completed an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, 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.

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

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.

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.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. 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

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

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.

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites. You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work or 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

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

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.

Additional information

Expand all sections

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.

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 an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification 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, 2024

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2023. 

Selection task dates

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

VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by

December/January round 1 (all applicants)

 TBC
January subsequent rounds (if places are available) TBC

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

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, 2025

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2024. 

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 122kb) along with your application.

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 the following programs:

Alternatively, you can gain entry from RMIT Foundation Studies.

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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2023 indicative fees

In 2023, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,124 to AU$15,142*.

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

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.

New government eligibility rules in 2022 - low completion rates

From 2022, there are new government rules about eligibility for higher education student funding as part of the Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates legislation. If you're starting a program in or after 2022 and are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or have a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan, these changes affect you. For details, please see Low completion rate and government funding.

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 2023. 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 2023 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2023
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,124 per standard year
$515 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 $8,301 per standard year
$1,037 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $11,800 per standard year
$1,475 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $15,142 per standard year
$1,892 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.

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.

Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship

For students commencing a technology-related degree; worth $5,000.

Spatial Vision Women in Geospatial Scholarship

For students who identify as a woman enrolling in their first year of geospatial sciences; worth $5,000 for one year.

School of Art Honours Travelling Grant

For fine art students in their Honours year who can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement; worth up to $4,000.

Sartori Memorial Scholarship

For students commencing an engineering degree at RMIT; worth $7,000.

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

Expand all sections

The annual tuition fee for 2023 is AU$44,160.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2023 commencement is AU$182,400.

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