Certificate IV in Design - CUA40715
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 6 months -
Location
Brunswick -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 5.5
Duration
Full-time 6 months Location
Brunswick
Overview
Develop your folio and launch your career in design.
Get ready to develop a creative folio of individual work that you can use to apply for other design-focused study or use as an entry point into the workforce.
Over the six months, you will focus on exploring design thinking and developing design projects in a studio-based environment.
What you will learn?
Studying individually and in groups, you will use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest design software.
You will be involved in design competitions and projects that reflect industry practice and connect with people and ideas related to the design industries.
This program can add value to your existing career or provide you with a pathway into further study at diploma, associate degree and degree level.
Details
Through your studies you will develop a strong foundation in a variety of design skills and gain insights into different careers in the design industry.
What will you study?
Your studies will be practical and hands-on, allowing you to develop a strong foundation in various design skills, including drawing, typography, graphic design, 2D and 3D processes, video art, concept development, illustration, digital imaging, colour theory, design history and industry knowledge.
Studying individually and in groups, you’ll learn on state-of-the-art equipment using the latest computer design programs including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
Learn from design professionals in a studio environment
You will 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 trends and innovations.
The teaching approach is practical and hands-on. You will learn in contemporary studio environments as well as through lectures, workshops, presentations and group discussions.
You will be assessed on material produced such as essays, reports, verbal presentations, group projects, research work, practical tasks and design projects.
All programs are delivered in English.
You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
You will participate in industry-related projects such as external design competitions which are reviewed by design industry professionals. Recently, two students had their t-shirt designs printed and sold in Jeanswest stores.
Previously, students have worked with local government and traders to devise design solutions for Moreland City Council's ’Adopt-a-tree’ program, and worked on creating a 70-metre mural featuring 40 artworks, displayed at the Heidelberg Graphic Equipment headquarters in Notting Hill. Both were very successful work-integrated learning projects.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
This course will help you develop knowledge and skills in:
- visual communication
- creative thinking
- 2D and 3D design
You will focus on investigating and developing design projects in a studio environment. The focus of this course is to develop an individual folio of creative work that you can use when applying for further study or employment.
Full-time students are expected to attend 20 hours of classes over four days and undertake approximately 10 hours of extra study and research per week.
There are often concentrated periods of out-of-class work when assessments are due for submission.
Over six months you will study:
- media and drawing techniques
- typography
- 2D design and 3D techniques
- digital cameras, moving image and other technologies
- contemporary design practice and industry awareness
This course will prepare you for further study in:
- graphic art and design
- communication design
- multimedia
- product design and visual merchandising
- interior design and decoration
- building and furniture design
- advertising
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate IV in Design | Brunswick Campus |
6 months full-time
|
6 months full-time
|
C4382 | 090420A |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C4382
National curriculum code: CUA40715
Career
This course pathways into a number of design diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees. You can continue your studies in areas such as graphic design, communication design, product design, furniture design, building design, interior design or visual merchandising.
An example of this would be further study in the Diploma of Graphic Design, where you can progress into a role as a junior graphic designer in:
- print media, where you will create logos and artwork for products such as packaging or cafe menus
- digital media, where you will focus on graphics used for websites, commercials, TV and film
- advertising industry, where you will create graphics for clients to sell a product or service through either print publications or digital content
If you are currently working, the Certificate IV in Design will add value to your current and future career prospects in an associated field.
Admissions
There are no minimum academic requirements.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification with a minimum 50% 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.
You must:
- complete and submit the Design selection task.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection task.
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 30 September 2019
- Main round (All applicants): 1 November 2019
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 7 February 2020
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Direct applicants, including 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 7 February 2020 and will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection task.
- attend a folio presentation (some applicants).
- If further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to present your folio.
- Folio presentations will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round).
- For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, folio presentations will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
- Some applicants will be selected based on their selection task and will not be required to attend a folio presentation. These applicants will receive an advisory email by mid November.
Advisory letters will be sent in late October (Early round) and late December (Main round).
Selection task
The selection task requires:
- an applicant statement outlining why why you would like to study design, and what area/s of design most interest you (maximum 250 words).
- a folio of 10-12 images of your own work demonstrating your creativity and design abilities. It could also reflect your problem solving and technical/digital skills.
Please try to include a variety of work, for example illustrations, technical drawings, artworks, branding, photographs, models, sculpture, video, or 2D/3D animation, computer generated work. You can include a combination of development and finished work.
Your folio must be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 10MB) including a brief description/explanation of each work. Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your folio if hosted online. Please provide the username and/or password if applicable.
Folio: You are required to submit a folio of 10-12 images of your own work demonstrating your creativity and design abilities. It could also reflect your problem solving and technical/digital skills.
Please try to include a variety of work, for example illustrations, technical drawings, artworks, branding, photographs, models, sculpture, video, or 2D/3D animation, computer generated work. You can include a combination of development and finished work.
Your folio must be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 10MB) including a brief description/explanation of each work. Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your folio if hosted online. Please provide the username and/or password if applicable.
Folio presentation: You must present your folio at an assessment session. If you are living outside Melbourne, this can be conducted via email, phone or video call.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 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) Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Eligible graduates of the Certificate IV in Design who achieve a minimum grade of Competency with Credit (CCR) across all units will be given automatic entry into the following diploma programs:
- Diploma of Graphic Design
- Diploma of Interior Design And Decoration
- Diploma of Product Design
- Diploma of Visual Merchandising
Eligible graduates of the Certificate IV in Design who achieve a minimum overall grade of Competency with Credit (CCR) and Competency with Distinction (CDI) in two nominated units will be given automatic entry into the following program:
Advanced Diploma
Associate Degree
- Associate Degree in Furniture
- Associate Degree in Graphic Design
- Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design
Please note: Applicants who achieve less than the grades above may still apply, attend a guaranteed folio presentation, and may be considered for entry upon discussion with the Selection Officer of the program.
When you successfully complete the Certificate IV in Design you are guaranteed entry to a range of other RMIT programs. The grades you achieve determine the programs you can get into.
If you achieve a minimum grade of 'Competency with Credit' (CCR) across all graded courses, you are guaranteed entry into the following programs:
- Diploma of Graphic Design
- Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration
- Diploma of Product Design
- Diploma of Visual Merchandising
If you achieve a 'Competency with Distinction (CDI)' in the ‘Explore and Apply the Creative Design Process to 3D Forms’ and ‘Develop and Extend Critical and Creative Thinking Skills’ courses (plus a minimum grade of 'Competency with Credit’ (CCR) across all other graded courses), you are guaranteed entry into the following programs:
- Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
- Associate Degree in Design (Furniture)
- Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design
If you achieve a 'Competency with Distinction (CDI)' in the ‘Research and Apply Graphic Design Techniques’ and ‘Develop and Extend Critical and Creative Thinking Skills’ courses (plus a minimum grade of 'Competency with Credit’ (CCR) across all other graded courses), you are guaranteed entry into the following programs:
If you achieve below the minimum grades above, you may still apply and will need to submit a folio. You will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
2020 fees
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.
- 2020 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$750* per annum
- 2020 government subsidised place: AU$3,750* per annum
- 2020 full-fee place: AU$12,750* per annum
*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.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308 maximum fee for 2020.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
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.
Eligibility criteria waver
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving two (2) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and already have a qualification, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your 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 2020 is $308.
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 total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$16,250.
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.