Master of Design

Design the change that defines tomorrow.

Trimesters

Years

STUDY MODES

Online, On Campus

NEXT INTAKE

Not Currently Enrolling

LOCATION

Online (with access to Campuses)

Master of Design

Pioneer future-facing design approaches.

Download Guide

The Master of Design is a coursework program designed to meet the requirements of a diverse range of design and non-design sectors.

Design thinking, skills and knowledges continue to be valued as part of a broader arts and creative industries sector where designers can contribute to social, cultural and community gains in addition to contributing to the national economy.

User-experience and web designers are sought after across technology, retail, cyber security and finance sectors, product designers are needed in a variety of manufacturing, biomedical and technology sectors, and services designers shape the experiences for customers across many industries.

All units are developed with a strong commitment to recognising and valuing Indigenous cultural knowledges, creative practices, and diplomacies, ensuring a culturally responsive and inclusive learning experience.

Download Guide

Course Information

Course Structure

DETAILED UNIT DESCRIPTOR

First Year	Trimester 1	Trimester 2	Trimester 3
Context	Creative Identity	Arts and Design Law and Ethical Practice	Creative Futures: Innovation and Disruption
Principles	Practice as Research	Creative Industries Ecosystems	Curation, Connection, and Engagement
Practical	Design Studio 1	Design Studio 2	Design Studio 3

Second Year	Trimester 1	Trimester 2	Trimester 3
Practical	Major Project

Fees & Scholarships

Local Student Fee Breakdown

Switch to International Student

UNIT

$3,058

COURSE TOTAL

$48,288

Entry Requirements & Admission

How to apply.

There are no wrong answers and no cookie-cutter moulds to fit into at Collarts. We're all about celebrating diversity, individuality, and the kaleidoscope of creativity that makes each applicant unique.

Through the application process, we'd love to get to know you better. We can chat about your current role, why you’re applying at Collarts, what you hope to get out of the course and the contribution you want to make.

Masters

Bachelor level degree in cognate discipline, or
Bachelor level degree in non-cognate discipline and portfolio of creative arts work, or
5 years of experience in a design or related field and portfolio of creative arts work

Suitability and needs requirements of applicants will be undertaken by academic staff, through an interview and review of portfolio of creative and/or performing arts work.

Pathways

Opportunities and experiences.

The Master of Design at Collarts provides a unique learning experience, specifically designed for creatives. We encourage engagement and collaboration, offering valuable insights and learnings through practical experience.

Throughout the certificate, you will:

Lean into your design practice guided by experts
Learn from expert design and academic practitioners
Collaborate, learn and create with your peers from across disciplines

Build networks for future collaborations
Find commercialisation and entrepreneurial pathways, and bring your ideas and projects to life
Generate persuasive stories to communicate ideas
Engage in practice-led approaches to learning and teaching
Create On Country with respect, acknowledging First Nations people
Complete a Higher Education degree, at the intersection of design, academic study and industry practice

Trimesters

Years

STUDY MODES

Blended, On Campus

NEXT INTAKE

Not currently enrolling.

LOCATION

Melbourne with online components

Master of Design

Pioneer future-facing design approaches.

Apply now Download Guide

The Master of Design is a coursework program designed to meet the requirements of a diverse range of design and non-design sectors.

Apply now Download Guide

Course Information

Course Structure

DETAILED UNIT DESCRIPTOR

First Year	Trimester 1	Trimester 2	Trimester 3
Context	Creative Identity	Arts and Design Law and Ethical Practice
Principles	Practice as Research	Creative Industries Ecosystems
Practical	Design Studio 1A (Design Research Methods)	Design Studio 1B (Design Research Methods)	Design Studio 2 (Design Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Second Year	Trimester 1	Trimester 2	Trimester 3
Context	Creative Futures: innovation and Disruption
Principles		Curation, Connection and Engagement
Practical	Design Studio 3 (Design Research Project Proposal)	Major Design Project (2-unit equivalent)	Major Design Project (2-unit equivalent)

Master of Design. CRICOS Code 03392k

Fees & Scholarships

International Student Fee Breakdown

Switch to International Student

UNIT

$4260

COURSE TOTAL

$68,160

International Scholarships

Collarts is proud to make creative arts education more accessible for international students.

Find out more

Entry Requirements & Admission

How to apply.

Apply Now

Masters

Bachelor level degree in cognate discipline, or
Bachelor level degree in non-cognate discipline and portfolio of creative arts work, or
5 years of experience in a design or related field and portfolio of creative arts work

Graduate Certificate

Bachelor level degree, or
3 years of experience in a creative or related field and portfolio of design work

Suitability and needs requirements of applicants will be undertaken by academic staff, through an interview and review of portfolio of creative and/or performing arts work.

Apply Now

Pathways

Opportunities and experiences.

Throughout the certificate, you will:

Lean into your design practice guided by experts
Learn from expert design and academic practitioners
Collaborate, learn and create with your peers from across disciplines

Build networks for future collaborations
Find commercialisation and entrepreneurial pathways, and bring your ideas and projects to life
Generate persuasive stories to communicate ideas
Engage in practice-led approaches to learning and teaching
Create On Country with respect, acknowledging First Nations people
Complete a Higher Education degree, at the intersection of design, academic study and industry practice

Options? We’ve got plenty. Get ready to be inspired.

Explore Collarts' in-depth courses and discover your creative future. Speak with a careers consultant or download our course guide today.

Download Course Guide BOOK A CHAT

Future Careers

Produce tangible results for improved student engagement.

Designer (interdisciplinary)

A creative professional who conceptualises and develops artefacts, spaces, ventures, strategies, narratives, events, and systems—applying design thinking to solve complex problems and create meaningful user experiences across physical, digital, and social contexts.

Average industry salary:

$8k- $130k

Design Strategist / Consultant

Aligns design thinking with business goals to develop strategies that enhance customer experiences and drive organisational growth.

Average industry salary:

$100k - $160k

Academic or Lecturer in Design

Teaches design principles and practices while conducting research and mentoring students in creative disciplines.

Average industry salary:

$90k - $120k

FIND OUT WHY

Get real-world, hands-on experience. Major partnerships across

Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW)

One of the biggest creative events of the year, M/FW features runways, pop-ups, capsule collections and in-conversation events focusing on the future of the fashion industry.

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

MIFF is the leading film festival in Australia and the world’s largest showcase of Australian filmmaking.

Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)

ACMI is Australia's national museum of screen culture celebrating the creative richness of the moving image in all its forms, including film, television, games and digital culture.

Australian Women in Music Awards

AWMA celebrates and recognises the vast and important contribution made by female, non-binary and GNC artists, musicians and music practitioners across all areas of industry from all countries and cultures.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF)

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world; an annual event featuring stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, and more.

Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF)

MIAF is a week-long forum featuring the best animations from around the world.

Learn more about campus life at Collarts

Book a Campus Tour

Postgraduate at Collarts

Jess, Postgrad Alumna

" I found the flexibility of the course really helpful for me because life is busy!"

Meet your faculty

Prof. Melissa Laird

Dr Cameron Rose

Dr. Cameron Rose

Jenni Woods

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study 100% online?

Studying 100% online is perfect someone who needs the flexibility to balance study with work, family or other commitments. It’s also ideal for students living outside of Melbourne or anyone seeking an interactive, industry-relevant learning experience without the constraints of attending live classes.

Are there any compulsory in-person components?

What makes Collarts Online different from other higher education institutions?

Collarts Online is designed for creative industries. We place a strong emphasis on developing creative skills, problem-solving and real-world application, and students are supported in building a body of work and experience that aligns with their creative goals.

These courses are purpose-built for online learning rather than adapted from on-campus delivery. They're designed to be flexible and interactive so students can engage deeply with their work.

Don’t have a design practice or project in mind?

Returning to academic study or never studied at university?

Your Master of Design course can’t wait. Neither can you.

Search.

Master of Design

Trimesters

Years

STUDY MODES

NEXT INTAKE

LOCATION

Master of Design

Course Information

Trimesters

Years

STUDY MODES

NEXT INTAKE

LOCATION

Master of Design

Course Information

Options? We’ve got plenty. Get ready to be inspired.

Future Careers

Designer (interdisciplinary)

Design Strategist / Consultant

Academic or Lecturer in Design

Get real-world, hands-on experience. Major partnerships across

Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW)

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)

Australian Women in Music Awards

Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF)

Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF)

Learn more about campus life at Collarts

Jess, Postgrad Alumna

Meet your faculty

Prof. Melissa Laird

Dr Cameron Rose

Jenni Woods

Frequently Asked Questions