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I want more infoSupported by DIA
‘One of the key aspects we have observed within the design industry is the increasing demand for tertiary postgraduate qualifications that cater to professionals who have informally adopted design skills in their everyday work. We believe that this course effectively addresses this demand. DIA holds its partnership with QUT in high regard and looks forward to offering our membership to QUT graduates.’
CEO, Design Institute of Australia (DIA)
Supported by DIA
‘One of the key aspects we have observed within the design industry is the increasing demand for tertiary postgraduate qualifications that cater to professionals who have informally adopted design skills in their everyday work. We believe that this course effectively addresses this demand. DIA holds its partnership with QUT in high regard and looks forward to offering our membership to QUT graduates.’
CEO, Design Institute of Australia (DIA)
Highlights
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Rapidly advance your design career and gain a design qualification in as little as one semester.
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Build a solid pathway to further studies such as the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Design and the Master of Design (Strategic Design). It will equip you with knowledge in strategic design tailored for experienced design professionals looking to further their education, or those from other backgrounds looking to gain a design qualification.
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Create holistic and sustainable solutions to address complex challenges while driving meaningful change within a range of contexts such as social services, health, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure.
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Apply design approaches to develop products and services through connecting creativity, community engagement, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.
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Experience site excursions, guest lectures and projects with corporate partners such as the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy, ARM Hub, and Queensland Health, including the Herston Biofabrication Institute and Clinical Excellence Queensland.
Highlights
-
Rapidly advance your design career and gain a design qualification in as little as one semester.
-
Build a solid pathway to further studies such as the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Design and the Master of Design (Strategic Design). It will equip you with knowledge in strategic design tailored for experienced design professionals looking to further their education, or those from other backgrounds looking to gain a design qualification.
-
Create holistic and sustainable solutions to address complex challenges while driving meaningful change within a range of contexts such as social services, health, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure.
-
Apply design approaches to develop products and services through connecting creativity, community engagement, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.
-
Experience site excursions, guest lectures and projects with corporate partners such as the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy, ARM Hub, and Queensland Health, including the Herston Biofabrication Institute and Clinical Excellence Queensland.
Why choose this course?
QUT is globally ranked in the top 100 universities for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023), and number one in Queensland. This course was developed to not only further your existing skills, but to enhance your capabilities so you can tackle complex challenges, drive innovation, and create positive, lasting impacts in a diverse range of career settings. You’ll be an adaptable graduate with competitive skills in the global and fast evolving industry landscape.
As part of the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design, you’ll elevate your leadership skills and learn about co-designing strategies, stakeholder management, and adapting leadership practices for business, government, and society, exploring the critical relationship between design and leadership in today’s dynamic and professional landscape.
You’ll also have the opportunity to study the following topics:
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Participatory design and engagement – learn to tackle complex issues, engage diverse voices and perspectives, and create collaborative solutions.
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Design tools and tactics – equip yourself with the tactical acumen needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of design-led innovation through a blend of theory and hands-on exercises with a real-world context.
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Design ethics and impacts – understand the impact of design on society across economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. Bridge foundational knowledge with ethical inquiry to become a socially-conscious strategy designer.
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Designers as intermediaries – bridge the gap between creative expertise and diverse project requirements. Learn about effective communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving using strategic design.
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Digital design and technology – explore critical themes in our increasingly digital world including digital design tools, generative AI platforms, and big data analysis. Learn from authentic and practical examples including design robotics, future mobility and transport, and the circular economy.
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Design discovery and review – learn the methods and techniques to identify complex problems, developing your understanding of the needs of contemporary socio-economic contexts using the Double Diamond model and Triple Diamond Framework.
Many of our teaching staff are also award-winning professors, accomplished researchers and industry leaders. They bring the latest insights from their field of study and practice to the classroom, creating an authentic learning environment.
Real-world learning
This course will prepare you for challenges in authentic settings by covering topics including:
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innovative problem solving
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strategic design leadership
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ethical and prudential decision making
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sustainable design
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intermediation skills.
Take advantage of the many strong partnerships the QUT School of Design maintains with local and international players including Adobe, ARM Hub, BMW Group, Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Fashion Festival, HEAL Lab, Orange Sky Australia, and the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Explore this course
This course mirrors the interdisciplinary nature of real-world projects. You’ll learn through immersive workshops, studios and learning intensives before progressing to engaging projects reflecting authentic workplace settings. The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design emphasises ethical and sustainable design and promotes the development of intermediation skills in recognition of the importance of facilitating cooperation between diverse stakeholders to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.
Careers and outcomes
There is increasing market demand for education that equips people with strategic design capabilities to solve innovation problems for industry, government, and communities. Healthcare, manufacturing, design services, government services, energy and social services are just some of the sectors where innovation is needed and employment for strategic designers is growing. Graduates of this program can move into design leadership roles in their current organisation. They could also become equipped for jobs in a wide range of industries and sectors due to their diverse skill set and deep understanding of design thinking and strategy. Graduates can play a crucial role in identifying emerging opportunities, addressing complex challenges, and driving forward-thinking solutions.
Professional recognition
This course is a Design Institute of Australia Recognised Course. Graduates may meet the educational eligibility requirements to become a DIA Accredited Designer, with benefits including business support and mentoring, full access to practice notes, and development programs.
Possible careers
- Business analyst
- Design strategist
- Design thinking facilitator
- Entrepreneur
- Innovation consultant
- Service designer
- Social impact designer
- Ux/ui designer
The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design is comprised of:
- 12 credit points of core units.
- 36 credit points of complementary studies.
The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design is comprised of:
- 12 credit points of core units.
- 36 credit points of complementary studies.
- Course code
- DE77
- CRICOS code
- 115461D
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- Kelvin Grove
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- Kelvin Grove
- 0.5 years full-time
- 1 years part-time
- 0.5 years full-time
- February and July
- February and July
Entry requirements
You must have one of the following:
- A completed recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline; or
- A completed recognised diploma (or higher qualification) in architecture, design, fashion, graphic design, industrial design, interaction design, interior design, landscape architecture, visual communication and equivalents followed by at least two years full-time (or equivalent) professional experience working in a field related to your qualification; or
- Five years full-time (or equivalent) professional experience working in architecture, design, fashion, graphic design, industrial design, interaction design, interior design, landscape architecture, visual communication and equivalents.
Minimum academic requirements
Entry requirement
You must have a completed recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline.
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.
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 | 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. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: $12,900 per year full-time (48 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $17,900 per year full-time (48 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $12,000 per year full-time (48 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $16,200 per year full-time (48 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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