Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Applied Innovation is a four-year double degree combining professional design education with applied innovation skills.
• It is aimed at students who want to combine creative design capability with innovation, problem-solving and future-focused practice.
• Swinburne describes the course as combining design and innovation through multidisciplinary innovation labs, hackathons, industry projects and innovation sprints.
• Students develop creative problem-solving, idea generation, digital prototyping, concept development, digital design and critical-thinking skills.
• The degree includes a final-year capstone project and Work Integrated Learning opportunities, which can include industry-linked projects, placements, internships or study tours.
• Swinburne currently states that it is ranked in the top 100 globally for art and design and highlights graduate employment and salary outcomes in Melbourne. These are university-level claims rather than guarantees of an individual graduate outcome.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Design core currently includes:

• Concepts and Narratives – DCO10001
• Digital Design – DCO10002
• Typography – DCO10005
• Twentieth Century Design – DDD10001
• Photography for Design – DCO10004
• User Interface Design – DCO20004
• Contemporary Design Issues – DDD20004
• Brand and Identity Design – DCO20001.

The Applied Innovation core consists of:

• Exploring Creativity and Innovation – INV10001
• Fundamentals of Innovation Practice – INV10002
• Innovation Sandpit – INV10003
• Responsible Innovation Futures – INV10004.

Examples of approved minor/advanced-minor areas include:

• Applied Innovation
• Applied Statistics
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing
• Indigenous Studies
• Neuroscience
• Sociology
• Philosophy
• Advertising
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing
• Games and Interactivity
• Industrial Design
• Interior Architecture
• Management
• Motion Design
• Photomedia
• Social Media
• Space Technology.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current course page lists these Design majors:

• Branded Environments
• Communication Design
• Motion Design
• Photomedia
• UX Interaction Design

Programme Highlights

• Four-year double degree.
• 400 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS code 108353M.
• Five Design majors currently displayed on the double-degree page.
• Four Applied Innovation core subjects.
• Multidisciplinary innovation labs.
• Hackathons.
• Innovation sprints.
• Industry projects.
• Digital prototyping.
• Design capstone project.
• Portfolio development.
• Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• The course develops both design capability and innovation capability, including user-centred research, prototyping, testing, collaboration and communication of innovative ideas. 

Career Outcomes

Swinburne currently lists career opportunities including:

• Communication designer
• Motion designer
• Photographer
• User experience designer
• Design consultant
• Innovation lead.

The course handbook also identifies employment areas such as:

• Design consultancy
• Design management
• Publishing
• Merchandising
• Packaging
• Design research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current CRICOS code: 108353M.
• Current Swinburne course code: BB-DESAIN.
• Current 2027 starts: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Current English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, no band below 6.0.
• International students must have completed an art, design or media subject equivalent to Year 12.
• Swinburne's Informed Choices information identifies visual interpretation, workshop/model-making safety, prototype development, fabrication materials, digital literacy, communication, collaboration and adaptability as relevant capabilities. Reasonable adjustments may be available for components identified as adaptable.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed individually.
• Work Integrated Learning is part of Swinburne's bachelor-degree experience, but the specific professional-placement option is subject to eligibility and selection.
• Importantly for international students, the course handbook states that international students holding a Student visa cannot undertake the Professional Placement component because of government regulation.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant Australian visa for an international student undertaking this CRICOS-registered degree is generally the Student visa, Subclass 500.

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible CRICOS-registered course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Meeting applicable financial-capacity requirements.
• Providing English-language evidence if required.
• Welfare arrangements where the student is under 18.