Courses_
Master of Design (Design Innovation) (Strategic Design)
Overview
The Master of Design provides new skills for industry leaders of tomorrow. The degree will introduce you to the principles of design-led innovation, strategic design and leadership, and design research methods, equipping you with the ability to lead by design in challenging environments and global economies.
Learn how to apply design processes to tackle complex problems, develop strategies for innovation and devise practices that lead to a strategic advantage in the market. You’ll be engaged in both analytical and creative thinking, and acquire broad skills in communication, information literacy, inventiveness and critical thinking.
At the master’s level, this degree can be taken over 1.5 or 2 years respectively. You can also elect to specialise in only one area:
- Design Innovation (1.5 years and 72 credit points)
- Strategic Design (1.5 years and 72 credit points)
The program can also be taken at the level of:
- Graduate Diploma in Design (one year and 48 credit points)
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
Subject areas
What you'll study
This program includes foundational core units, advanced core units, capstone units in Design Innovation and Strategic Design, and electives you can take with different faculties. In your capstone project, you can focus on either Design Innovation, which covers the use of design methods for creating human-centred products, services and systems; or Strategic Design, focusing on designing products, services and systems that achieve social, environmental or commercial goals. Your choice of capstone specialisation will determine whether you graduate with a Master of Design (Design Innovation) (Strategic Design) or a Master of Design (Strategic Design) (Design Innovation).
Completion requirement
You can take either or both specialisations, over 1.5 or 2 years respectively. We also offer this program in part-time mode to meet the needs of students already working in the industry.
You may also choose to exit with a Graduate Diploma after completing 48 credit points or with a Master of Design in a single specialisation after completing the relevant 72 credit points.
Capstone (compulsory project)
In the Master of Design double degree, you are able to further develop your skills through suite of capstone units. These units explore industry- or research-based design problems or situations, and enable you to interact with professionals and real-world problems from the design industry. The capstone units will allow you to specialise in a particular area or topic. You can also choose to complete your capstone research project along with a Design Dissertation to gain deeper knowledge of research and practice in research methods.
You should select one of three combinations listed below:
Combination 1: Students wishing to focus on research should select:
(i) DESN9203 Design Research Project as a Capstone unit; and
(ii) DESN9204 Design Dissertation OR two electives.
Combination 2: Students wishing to focus on industry should select two of the following:
(i) DESN9201 Design Innovation Catalyst as a Capstone unit;
(ii) DESN9202 Designing Innovative Business Models;
(iii) 2 x 6-credit point elective units.
Combination 3: Students wishing to combine a research and industry focus should select:
(i) DESN9203 Design Research Project as a Capstone unit; and
(ii) DESN9201 Design Innovation Catalyst OR DESN9202 Designing Innovative Business Models.
(i) DESN9203 Design Research Project as a Capstone unit; and
(ii) DESN9204 Design Dissertation OR two electives.
Combination 2: Students wishing to focus on industry should select two of the following:
(i) DESN9201 Design Innovation Catalyst as a Capstone unit;
(ii) DESN9202 Designing Innovative Business Models;
(iii) 2 x 6-credit point elective units.
Combination 3: Students wishing to combine a research and industry focus should select:
(i) DESN9203 Design Research Project as a Capstone unit; and
(ii) DESN9201 Design Innovation Catalyst OR DESN9202 Designing Innovative Business Models.
Assumed knowledge
No previous experience or knowledge in design is required.
Admission requirement
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, according to the admissions criteria listed below.
- a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification with a weighted average mark of 65, or
- completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate diploma with a weighted average mark of 70.
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed to be equivalent.
To complete the double specialisation you must enrol in the 96-credit point degree.
Career Pathways
Graduates of the Master of Design (Design Innovation) (Strategic Design) will be prepared to perform roles in organisations that incorporate design skills, design innovation and strategic design into their ways of doing business. These roles include:
- chief design officer
- strategic designer
- design manager
- customer experience designer
- innovation strategist
- digital innovation director.
The world is changing, and university education needs to change too
Domestic students
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
International students
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
