Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
-
Duration
Full-time 4 years -
Location
Brunswick, Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Duration
Full-time 4 yearsLocation
Brunswick, Melbourne City
Overview
Are you interested in industrial design? Would you like to affect 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 practical learning through our practice-based design studios, co-creating solutions through a human centred approach to product, service and experience design contexts.
For over 70 year’s industrial design at RMIT has offered aspiring designers ground breaking 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.
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
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.
Details
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.
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)
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.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) | City Campus |
4 years full-time
|
4 years full-time
|
BH104P15 | 080225J |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BH104
VTAC Code
To apply for plan BH104P15, copy and paste code 3200632361 to search on VTAC.
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, USALaura Morrison and Jaide-Scarlet Begg
Service Design Analysts at Deloitte DigitalKyle Armstrong
Industrial Designer at Katapult DesignAdrian Spagnuolo
Product Designer at Colorific, a toy design and development distributorJiazhen Chen
Industrial Designer at Wild Design, Shanghai, ChinaLuca Abate
Industrial Designer at Blackmagic Design
- 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
Minimum prerequisite ATAR of 54.00.
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
Semester 1, 2021
You must complete and submit the Industrial Design selection task.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection task.
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 30 September 2020
- Main round (All applicants): 6 November 2020
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 12 February 2021
- RMIT current or recent students please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- All tasks must be submitted by 26 February 2021. Tasks will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
The selection task requires:
1. 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)
2. 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, and 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
- Upload your folio as follows:
- Images: Each project must be a single PDF (landscape format). Maximum size 4MB.
- Film or sound based: Ensure that file types are common (maximum size 4MB).
- All file names must be in the format: Project 1_your surname, Project 2_your surname etc (e.g. Project 1_Smith.PDF, Project 2_Smith. PDF).
- Provide 3 -5 projects of work. Each project file must include the following:
- Provide a URL:
- Provide a username or password if applicable.
- Provide a URL:
- 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 the format: Experience_your surname (e.g. Experience_Smith.PDF)
OR
- Provide a URL
- 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 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:
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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
*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 RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 70% average (check 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.
Selection tasks for international students completing year 12 in Australia and applying through VTAC
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.
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 and helping you get the degree you want.
Use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT for more information.
Credit and recognition of prior learning
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. Find out if you might be eligible.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
In 2021, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$3,700 to AU$14,500*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- 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.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
The Australian Government has announced amendments to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021 and are subject to the passage of legislation. 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 2021
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2021 |
Agriculture, english, languages, mathematics, nursing, postgraduate clinical psychology, teaching |
$3,700 per standard year $462 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Architecture, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, health, information technology, science |
$7,700 per standard year |
Dental, medical and veterinary science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Arts, commerce, communications, economics, humanities (excluding languages), law, management |
$14,500 per standard year |
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 2021 is $313.
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.
The annual tuition fee for 2021 is AU$40,320.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$172,800.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.