Course Overview

About This Course

Graphic design is the foundational discipline of visual communication. It is how ideas and thinking take form through typography, image, layout and interaction across everything from branding and publishing to digital products, services and systems. In the Bachelor of Graphic Design you'll gain the fundamentals you need to become an effective integrated designer. Working as part of a creative community, you'll learn to shape how people understand, navigate and engage with the world around them. At RMIT, you will learn to use design as a strategic tool, shaping how people understand, navigate and engage with the world. You will build the creative thinking, research capability and design judgement needed to work across industries and adapt as the field evolves. Build a strong foundation in graphic design as a discipline, including: typography and visual communication; layout, composition and form; visual storytelling and narrative; research and concept development; strategic design thinking; design systems across platforms. These fundamentals underpin everything from branding and UX to service design. Graphic design is the starting point for broader integrated design practice.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne City Campus, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC

124 La Trobe St, Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification)
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL; or a study score of at least 27 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent studies
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on the assessment of their selection task
Direct applicants must complete and submit the Graphic Design selection task
Applicants applying via one of the RMIT pathways for this degree are exempted from the selection task requirements
Applicant statement: Describe how your interests and experience will contribute to the RMIT Graphic Design community (maximum 200 words); Describe an aspect of your local or broader community where design could have a positive impact and how you think this could be achieved (maximum 200 words)
Folio: Provide examples of your projects (up to a maximum of 4 pages in total) that best demonstrate your creative passion including both development work and finished work; provide a written statement (maximum 200 words) covering the motivation and aims behind the project
You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any written statements in your selection task submission
Folio must be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 4MB, maximum 4 pages)
For applicants with Vocational Education and Training study: must have successfully completed an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent)
Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) multiple choice with a minimum overall score of 156 may satisfy academic requirements for VET applicants aged 19 or over

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graphic design graduates work across almost every industry because every organisation needs to communicate clearly and effectively across multiple media. You could work in roles such as: graphic designer, UX or UI designer, brand designer or strategist, illustrator, publication or editorial designer, creative roles in agencies or in-house teams. RMIT graduates work across design studios, tech companies, government, cultural institutions and corporate organisations. Many also establish their own studios or freelance practice, combining design expertise and business acumen. Specific career pathways by major include: Experience Design major – UI/UX designers, service designers, interaction designers, placemaking consultants and user experience strategists; Branding major – brand strategists, creative directors, and visual identity designers; Illustration major – illustrators, concept artists, visual storytellers, and editorial illustrators; Typography major – book designer, publication designer for print and digital applications, or a specialist typographer in branding, placemaking and wayfinding teams. Average salaries in Australia: graphic designer $80,000/year; UX designer $110,000/year; social media coordinator $75,000/year; content creator $78,000/year; illustrator $93,000/year; brand specialist $110,000/year (Source: Seek.com.au 2026).

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What majors can I choose from in the Bachelor of Graphic Design?

You can choose from four majors: Experience Design (focused on human-centred research, interaction design and service design), Branding (brand strategy, creative direction and identity systems), Illustration (visual storytelling and image-making across editorial, advertising, publishing and digital contexts), and Typography (type design, experimental approaches and medium-specific typography for readability).

Has this degree been renamed and why?

Yes. From Semester 1 2026, this degree (previously known as the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)) has been re-named to Bachelor of Graphic Design in order to better reflect the updated course structure.

What interdisciplinary minors are available alongside the majors?

Featured interdisciplinary minors include: Artificial Intelligence in Practice (use AI tools strategically in your creative work), Regenerative Futures (restore, renew, and enhance ecological, social, and economic systems), Strategy and Innovation (lead consulting and strategic roles), Entrepreneurship (start your own studio or venture), Marketing (work at the intersection of brand and business), Foundations in Sustainability (develop a purpose-driven design practice), and Social Impact (use design as an agent for positive social change).

What industry connections and partners are involved in the course?

Industry is embedded throughout the course. You'll have opportunities to work on industry-partnered studio projects, learn from guest lecturers and practitioners, and undertake an optional internship. Industry partners that students have worked with include Penguin Books, Deloitte, ABC, MECCA, and Unisuper.

Are there international study opportunities available in this degree?

Yes. Students have the option to study overseas for a semester as an exchange or study abroad student. Past students have studied in North America and Europe. RMIT offers opportunities through over 165 partner universities worldwide. This course is also delivered as a top-up in Singapore in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $50,000 to $65,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Graphic DesignerVisual DesignerDigital DesignerCommunication DesignerBrand Designer

Key Skills

Visual communication and design thinkingTypography selection, pairing, and layoutColour theory and brand colour system developmentAdobe Creative Suite proficiency (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)Branding and brand identity design

Full Course Overview

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