Prepare to work as a visual communication designer across traditional and new interactive media forms. Build your expertise in professional studio settings.
Discover how you'll master the world of branding and visual identity through visual communication. From graphic and motion design to user and experience design, craft messages that utilise the power of visuals to communicate to the world.
Prepare for tomorrow's careers
'Visual communication can range from logo design, classic design, to typeface design. To me, design means being able to do a job that I love, that I feel confident in doing. I really love being creative and I can't imagine myself in any other field of work. I'm really excited to be doing a job that may not even exist today, but I'm learning about how I could do that at QUT.'
Chantel Bates Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Creating connection through design
'I was inspired to take up visual communication because I knew I wanted to pursue something in the creative industries. I would describe visual communication in the same umbrella as graphic design. To me, both terms refer to the task of taking information or emotions and transforming them into a visual narrative with a purpose or message – which people can either connect with, or connect with others over. I think it's a really special thing.'
Jen Li Wan Bachelor of Business (Advertising)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Push the boundaries of design
'My parents were both designers and I was always drawing and painting, so I knew I wanted to do something in the design field. I attended a visual communication lecture and I discovered this degree really aligned with me and my skills. My favourite teaching staff were the ones that challenged and pushed me as far as possible in order for me to grow. They had industry experience and taught me what they knew.'
Neve Lembryk-Walsh Bachelor of Business (Marketing)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
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Visual Communication at QUT
Discover how you'll master the world of branding and visual identity through visual communication. From graphic and motion design to user and experience design, craft messages that utilise the power of visuals to communicate to the world.
Prepare for tomorrow's careers
'Visual communication can range from logo design, classic design, to typeface design. To me, design means being able to do a job that I love, that I feel confident in doing. I really love being creative and I can't imagine myself in any other field of work. I'm really excited to be doing a job that may not even exist today, but I'm learning about how I could do that at QUT.'
Chantel Bates Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Creating connection through design
'I was inspired to take up visual communication because I knew I wanted to pursue something in the creative industries. I would describe visual communication in the same umbrella as graphic design. To me, both terms refer to the task of taking information or emotions and transforming them into a visual narrative with a purpose or message – which people can either connect with, or connect with others over. I think it's a really special thing.'
Jen Li Wan Bachelor of Business (Advertising)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Push the boundaries of design
'My parents were both designers and I was always drawing and painting, so I knew I wanted to do something in the design field. I attended a visual communication lecture and I discovered this degree really aligned with me and my skills. My favourite teaching staff were the ones that challenged and pushed me as far as possible in order for me to grow. They had industry experience and taught me what they knew.'
Neve Lembryk-Walsh Bachelor of Business (Marketing)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Visual Communication at QUT
Discover how you'll master the world of branding and visual identity through visual communication. From graphic and motion design to user and experience design, craft messages that utilise the power of visuals to communicate to the world.
Prepare for tomorrow's careers
'Visual communication can range from logo design, classic design, to typeface design. To me, design means being able to do a job that I love, that I feel confident in doing. I really love being creative and I can't imagine myself in any other field of work. I'm really excited to be doing a job that may not even exist today, but I'm learning about how I could do that at QUT.'
Chantel Bates Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Creating connection through design
'I was inspired to take up visual communication because I knew I wanted to pursue something in the creative industries. I would describe visual communication in the same umbrella as graphic design. To me, both terms refer to the task of taking information or emotions and transforming them into a visual narrative with a purpose or message – which people can either connect with, or connect with others over. I think it's a really special thing.'
Jen Li Wan Bachelor of Business (Advertising)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Practical learning experience
'During my degree, I had the opportunity to apply my knowledge and practical skills through an internship program with the BMW Group and QUT Design Academy. As part of my project, I contributed to the design of a STEM-themed game for children to use while traveling inside BMW vehicles. It was an amazing experience to collaborate with talented industry professionals, which allowed me to establish a network of connections across the world.'
Sri Sadhana, India Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Push the boundaries of design
'My parents were both designers and I was always drawing and painting, so I knew I wanted to do something in the design field. I attended a visual communication lecture and I discovered this degree really aligned with me and my skills. My favourite teaching staff were the ones that challenged and pushed me as far as possible in order for me to grow. They had industry experience and taught me what they knew.'
Neve Lembryk-Walsh Bachelor of Business (Marketing)/Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Highlights
Study at a university ranked #1 in Queensland for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
This course prepares you to work as a visual communication designer across traditional and new interactive media forms.
Develop practical and theoretical skills in graphic design, typography, image making, information design, experience design, motion design, branding and interaction design.
Build your expertise in professional studio settings with a focus on real-world design projects, a culture of designing for public exhibition and ongoing industry engagement, creative experimentation and critical thinking.
Highlights
This course prepares you to work as a visual communication designer across traditional and new interactive media forms.
Develop practical and theoretical skills in graphic design, typography, image making, information design, experience design, motion design, branding and interaction design.
Build your expertise in professional studio settings with a focus on real-world design projects, a culture of designing for public exhibition and ongoing industry engagement, creative experimentation and critical thinking.
Visual communication is the conveyance of ideas and information through a broad range of forms that can be seen including signs, typography, drawing, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, advertising, animation, colour and electronic resources. Visual communication can be powerful. In the right hands, it can craft an image that adds enormous value to a brand. It can simplify the complex. It can help a message to break through the communication clutter.
This degree will give you the skills and finesse you need to be a confident and agile visual communicator. You will develop skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, technical proficiencies and professional practice that will ensure you can contribute to the field of visual communication in innovative and socially responsible ways.
Professional studio settings allow you to build your expertise and focus on both contemporary and emerging design practices, through real-world design projects. You will be immersed in a culture of designing for public exhibition, ongoing industry engagement, creative experimentation and critical thinking.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study design and where a QUT degree can take you
Explore this course
What to expect
Your degree will begin with introductory and shared impact lab units where, working with students from other disciplines, you’ll focus on problems and social issues and identify potential solutions connected to industry and community.
You will then develop both practical and theoretical skills in multiple visual communication design specialisations including graphic design, typography, image making, information design, experience design, motion design, branding and interaction design.
You will progress to develop deeper skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, technical proficiencies and professional practice that will ensure you can contribute to the field of visual communication in innovative and socially responsible ways. Later in your degree you will be able to transfer skills and knowledge to a workplace or professional context and gain practical work experience with work integrated learning.
Double degrees
Study visual communication with business or behavioural science (psychology) as a double degree to develop a range of unique career opportunities including business analyst for graphic industries, visual communicators in advertising and marketing agencies, digital content designer for a range of business applications or learn psychological insights to address real-world problems across a range of industries.
Overseas exchange
Travel overseas and be on pace with international design trends as part of your studies. Enjoy a full year of studies oversees at one of our international partner universities in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, the US and Canada. Study visual communication design with a Bachelor of Design - International (Visual Communication) to enhance your opportunities to work in diverse design careers internationally.
Careers and outcomes
Careers and outcomes
This degree will give you the skills and finesse you need to be a confident and agile visual communicator across traditional and new interactive media forms. You will graduate industry ready with multiple career options in graphic design, digital media, interactive design, branding, art direction, motion graphics design, advertising, print publication, illustration, information design, service and experience design, packaging and exhibition design.
A business foundation also equips you to become a creative business owner and establish your own design studio. Opportunities exist to work both locally and internationally, and can vary from operating as an independent entrepreneurial designer to a designer within a large firm.
Professional recognition
Our graduates qualify for membership at the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), the professional body for Australian designers.
Members have exclusive access to a range of services, products and discounts to advance their careers.
Possible careers
Advertising specialist
Art director
Brand manager
Creative director
Creative entrepreneur
Digital content designer
Exhibition designer
Fashion illustrator
Graphic designer
Media planner / buyer
Motion graphics designer
Theatre designer
Details and units
In order to complete this course you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:
Core Introductory units - 72 credit points
A Design major - 108 credit points
QUT You - 24 credit points
Complementary studies - 84 credit points, made up of:
design specialisation units - 36 credit points
a minor (uni-wide and additional minors listed below), or a combination of design specialisation units, Creative Industries WIL unit options and university-wide electives (unit options) - 48 credit points.
In order to complete this course you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:
Core Introductory units - 72 credit points
A Design major - 108 credit points
QUT You - 24 credit points
Complementary studies - 84 credit points, made up of:
design specialisation units - 36 credit points
a minor (uni-wide and additional minors listed below), or a combination of design specialisation units, Creative Industries WIL unit options and university-wide electives (unit options) - 48 credit points.
Requirements
ATAR/selection rank threshold
70.00
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2025.
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student, you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12, before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.
If you don't think your ATAR or selection rank is high enough to get into this course, you can guarantee your entry with guaranteed advanced standing by upgrading through one the following programs which you can select as one of your QTAC preferences:
QUT College Diploma in Creative Industries
As a QUT College Diploma in Creative Industries graduate you will automatically receive an offer to start the Bachelor of Design within one week after completion of the diploma. You will also automatically receive up to 1.0 year (96 credit points) credit transfer and be able to complete the degree in 2 years as a full-time student (or equivalent part-time).
If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2024
The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.
Excluding adjustments
Including adjustments
Highest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank
96.50
Selection rank
96.50
Median ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank
77.05
Selection rank
79.75
Lowest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank
67.00
Selection rank
70.10
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
Please select a country
I completed secondary school in Australia
ATAR/selection rank
70.00
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
Please select a country
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
English Test
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
Overall
6.5
Listening
6
Reading
6
Writing
6
Speaking
6
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
Overall
176
Listening
169
Reading
169
Writing
169
Speaking
169
PTE Academic
Overall
58
Listening
50
Reading
50
Writing
50
Speaking
50
TOEFL iBT
Overall
79
Listening
16
Reading
16
Writing
21
Speaking
18
English Test
Overall
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
6.5
6
6
6
6
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
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