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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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This course is a career-focused learning experience that will equip you with advanced 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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Lead the creation of holistic and sustainable solutions that 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 methodologies to develop products and services through connecting design, creativity, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility.
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Experience site excursions, industry 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.
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Graduates from this course can qualify for admission into higher degree research programs such as a PhD.
Highlights
-
This course is a career-focused learning experience that will equip you with advanced 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.
-
Lead the creation of holistic and sustainable solutions that address complex challenges while driving meaningful change within a range of contexts such as social services, health, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure
-
Apply design methodologies to develop products and services through connecting design, creativity, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility.
-
Experience site excursions, industry 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.
-
Graduates from this course can qualify for admission into higher degree research programs such as a PhD.
Why choose this course?
More organisations recognise the value of strategic design in driving business success and fostering innovation, and employers are looking for professionals who can apply lateral thinking skills and design approaches to solve complex problems and create innovative, ethical solutions.
QUT is ranked globally 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 acknowledge 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 strategist with competitive leadership and prudent decision-making skills in the global and fast evolving industry landscape.
Many of our teaching staff are also award-winning professors, accomplished researchers and industry leaders. They bring the latest insights from their fields of study and practice to the classroom, creating an authentic learning environment.
If you are interested in a research-based career path, you will have the opportunity to master research methodologies for strategic design, including scholarly writing for design research journals. Through hands-on experiences, you will be introduced to participatory design research, learning how to facilitate design workshops as data collection methods. Additionally, you will learn the methodologies underpinning design research that are fundamental to becoming a proficient design researcher with the option of admission into higher degree research programs such as a PhD upon completion of the master degree.
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
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strategic use of design tools and cutting-edge technology such as generative AI
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design research methods.
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 offers a distinctive combination of work-integrated learning and interdisciplinary engagement, mirroring the complex nature of real-world projects. You’ll apply learning through immersive workshops, studios and real-world assignments before progressing to engaging with capstone projects in partnership with QUT’s range of guest enterprises. The Master of Design (Strategic Design) emphasises responsibility, ethical decision-making, and sustainability, promoting the development of intermediation skills in recognition of the need to facilitating cooperation between diverse stakeholders to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.
Careers and outcomes
There is increasing market demand for education that equips people with strategic design capabilities to work as leaders solving 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 the Master of Design (Strategic Design) program are equipped to work in a wide range of industries and sectors due to their diverse skill set and deep understanding of critical design thinking and strategy. You’ll 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 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
- Design director
- Design educator
- Design researcher
- Design thinking facilitator
- Entrepreneur
- Innovation consultant
- Principal design strategist
- Product owner
- Senior business analyst
- Service designer
- Social impact designer
- Strategic design manager
The Master of Design (Strategic Design) is comprised of:
- 144 credit points of core units, including 24 credit points of capstone units.
- 48 credit points of complementary studies.
The Master of Design (Strategic Design) is comprised of:
- 144 credit points of core units, including 24 credit points of capstone units.
- 48 credit points of complementary studies.
- Course code
- DE99
- CRICOS code
- 115459J
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- Kelvin Grove
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- Kelvin Grove
- 2 years full-time
- 4 years part-time
- 2 years full-time
- February and July
- February and July
Entry requirements
You must have completed one of the following:
1 year program
1.5 year program
- Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design; or
- A recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in architecture, design, fashion, graphic design, industrial design, interaction design, interior design, landscape architecture, visual communication and equivalents; or
- A completed degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline followed by a at least six months 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.
2 year program
- A recognised bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline.
Minimum academic requirements
Entry requirements
You must have completed one of the following:
1 year program
1.5 year program
- Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design; or
- A recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in architecture, design, fashion, graphic design, industrial design, interaction design, interior design, landscape architecture, visual communication and equivalents.
2 year program
- A 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: $25,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $35,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $23,900 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $32,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
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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