Shape your future – start your design journey here.
Get ready to immerse yourself in design – in this certificate you will focus on exploring design thinking and developing design projects in a studio environment.
With a curriculum that covers a wide range of design techniques, this certificate will help you develop strong foundational knowledge and skills in:
You'll be involved in design projects that reflect industry practice, and connect with relevant people and ideas, gaining real-world experience and insights into different careers in the design industry.
Throughout this certificate, you'll develop a creative folio of individual work that you can use to apply for other design-focused study or as a starting point for a career change.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
Learn design skills on the latest equipment and industry-standard software.
Learn from design professionals and educators in an industry-style studio environment.
On completion, build on your studies with a more specialised design focus.
You can tailor your studies by choosing one of 2 design streams available in this course:
This stream focuses on visual communication and graphic outcomes.
You'll develop visual communication skills to create print and digital design outcomes using industry standard software.
This stream explores spatial, object and form-based design.
You'll develop concepts for objects, spaces and environments through drawing, visualisation and prototyping.
Both streams share core design learning that is practical and hands-on, allowing you to develop a strong foundation in various design skills, including:
Through a mix of individual and group projects, you'll learn using the latest industry relevant computer design programs including Adobe Creative Cloud.
Absorb industry insights from design professionals while working in a creative studio – connect with people and ideas related to the design industries and work on a range of projects. You'll study with teachers who have a current knowledge of the latest practices and innovations.
Classes are designed to be engaging and practical. You will learn in contemporary studio environments as well as through lectures, workshops, virtual classes, presentations and group discussions.
You will be assessed on material produced such as practical tasks, design project work, research activities, verbal presentations, written assignments, and collaborative group work.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
Throughout your course, you’ll have the chance to work on creative projects and respond to industry-focused briefs.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
You are expected to attend 20 hours of classes over 4 days per week and undertake approximately 10 hours of extra study and research per week.
Also, there are often concentrated periods of out-of-class work when assessments are due for submission.
The focus of the Certificate IV in Design is to develop foundational skills and knowledge in design and creative pieces that you can use when applying for further study or employment.
The 2D Design stream will help you develop knowledge and skills in:
The 3D Design stream will help you develop knowledge and skills in:
In either stream you will study:
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
This certificate pathways into a number of design diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees.
You can continue your studies in areas such as graphic art and design, communication design, product design, furniture design, building design, interior design and decoration, multimedia or advertising.
For example, if you studied the 2D Design stream you could progress to further study in the Diploma of Graphic Design, which could lead to a role as a junior graphic designer in:
If you are currently working, the Certificate IV in Design will add value to your current and future career by strengthening creative, visual communication and problem-solving skills relevant to a range of design-related fields.
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this course. Applicants must meet the minimum university entry requirements.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 50% (see calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies course or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English Language Pathways (Academic English) Upper Intermediate at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
This course has a pathway available.
The Certificate IV in Design provides credit and guaranteed entry into further study.
You can gain entry to this certificate from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study courses.
You are guaranteed entry to the following programs when you successfully complete the Certificate IV in Design:
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate study courses.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
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