Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Diploma of Design (UniLink) is an 8-month pathway designed to help students progress into a Swinburne bachelor degree in design and related fields.
• It provides practical exposure to graphic and digital design, branding, communication design, photography, user-interface design and visual communication.
• Students develop concept development, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, academic English and professional communication skills.
• UniLink students receive additional academic support compared with a standard degree pathway, including smaller classes, increased teacher contact, embedded English-language development and 24/7 learning support.
• Successful completion can provide advanced standing towards selected Swinburne bachelor degrees, reducing the amount of further study required.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Diploma of Design (UniLink) consists of 8 units and 100 credit points.

Core units:

1. Introduction to Photography – DDD10008 – 12.5 credit points
2. Brand and Identity Design – GRA10002 – 12.5 credit points
3. Digital Design – GRA10006 – 12.5 credit points
4. 20th Century Design – GRA20009 – 12.5 credit points
5. User Interface Design – GRA20011 – 12.5 credit points
6. Concepts and Narratives – GRA20012 – 12.5 credit points

Students then select 2 elective units:

• Interior Architecture Communication – DIA10007
• Introductory Design Studio – DDD10013
• Typography – DCO10008
• 3D Communication – CMS10001

Disciplines/Specialisations

The diploma itself does not list separate formal specialisations. Instead, students develop broad design skills across areas including:

• Graphic and digital design
• Brand and identity design
• Communication design
• Photography
• User-interface design
• Typography
• 3D communication
• Interior architecture communication
• Design studio practice
• Concept development and visual narratives.

Programme Highlights

• 8-month pathway into selected Swinburne bachelor degrees.
• 100 credit points.
• Small-class learning environment.
• Additional one-to-one teacher support.
• Embedded English-language and academic skills development.
• 24/7 learning support.
• Access to Swinburne facilities and the Hawthorn campus community.
• Practical design-focused curriculum.
• Opportunities to develop both creative and digital design capabilities.
• Potential advanced standing of up to 100 credit points towards selected bachelor degrees.

The Diploma of Design (UniLink) currently lists progression pathways including:

• Bachelor of Design – 100 credit points
• Bachelor of Design (Architecture) – 50 credit points
• Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) – 100 credit points
• Bachelor of Games and Interactivity – 100 credit points
• Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) (Honours) – 100 credit points

Career Outcomes

The diploma is primarily a pathway qualification, so Swinburne's listed career outcomes relate to completion of the chosen bachelor degree following the diploma.

Potential career areas include:

• Graphic designer
• Advertising assistant
• Packaging designer
• Digital designer
• Assistant developer
• Communication designer
• Motion designer
• Fashion designer

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current course has CRICOS registration 085471K, making it available as an international-student course.
• International students holding an Australian Student visa must study full-time and on campus.
• The course currently has three pathway intakes across the 2026–2027 period: October 2026, February 2027 and June 2027.
• Swinburne's current course page states that UniLink is intended to provide a seamless connection to a bachelor degree and that available advanced standing can vary according to the selected major.
• Students with prior tertiary study may be eligible for academic credit.
• Students progressing to Bachelor of Design (Fashion) have an additional portfolio requirement.
• The current course information identifies sensory, mobility, learning, communication, teamwork and other capabilities relevant to successful participation. Reasonable adjustments may be available for adaptable components.
• No KAPLAN-specific information is required for this particular programme because the official course is directly presented by Swinburne as a Swinburne UniLink diploma.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this course in Australia normally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from Swinburne.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Evidence of English proficiency where required.
• Financial-capacity evidence where requested.
• Health and character requirements.
• Compliance with visa study conditions