Bachelor
This distinctive degree explores diverse forms of visual communication across design, culture and media. Visual Communication students acquire in depth understanding of the histories, practices and meanings of the visual world. In turn, obtaining the visual knowledge and skills required to negotiate rapidly changing technology, visual media and culture while becoming skilled in apprehending the unprecedented pace at which visual images, visual technologies and information data are produced.
Combined with the Bachelor of International Studies, the course provides students with additional practical skills, in particular those that raise their awareness of the international contexts of design, by providing the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of a language other than English and another culture.
Students immerse themselves in a practice-oriented, studio-based culture, studying a range of interdisciplinary subjects encompassing typography, interaction and image-making. Taught by experts in visual communication, students learn everything from the history and theory of visual culture and technology to producing cutting edge creative work in digital media, interaction design, photography, editorial design, information visualisation, web design, wayfinding, mobile apps, code, machine learning, motion graphics, the internet of things and 3D technologies such as VR/AR and 3D printing. Exploring both traditional and experimental research methods students learn to produce conceptually rigorous and socially responsive work. They graduate with the capacity to work across and between disciplines, to articulate design practices and processes, and to apply them to complex problems. Graduates develop industry experience through the degree's emphasis on addressing real-world issues in collaborative and team-based work.
The international experience enhances career options, making students more marketable to prospective employers.
There are many career options in a range of fields for graduates, such as digital media, publication designer, graphic designer, interaction designer, interactive media designer, web designer, branding specialist, art director, motion graphics designer, advertising, illustrator, and exhibition designer. Graduates are also equipped with the skills to become writers, researchers, editors and critics, and to apply design thinking in a non-design industry business.
Students must complete 240 credit points comprising 108 credit points of core subjects, a 24-credit-point of design studies, 12 credit points of electives in visual communication and 96 credit points in international studies.
In the International Studies component students select the language they will study at the time of enrolment, and either the Language, Culture and the Professional World pathway or the Culture and Global Exchange pathway. Information relating to entry into the International Honours pathway can be found in the Information for Students section.
In the International studies component students have the following options:
1. Language, Culture & the Professional World: includes an internship and option of a short study abroad experience (2-6 weeks) overseas.
2. Language, Culture & Global Exchange: includes an internship and a 6-month global exchange at any UTS partner university.
3. International Honours: includes a full year at a relevant partner university where students complete an honours level research project.