Bachelor of Design (B-DES) // Entry and participation requirements

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: one of
(a) the Victorian Certificate of Education including

• VCE Units 3 and 4 - either a study score of at least 25 in one of English, English Language or Literature or a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language;

(b) the International Baccalaureate Diploma including

• at least Grade 4 in English or English B (Standard Level or Higher Level);

(c) a senior secondary program, foundation studies program or equivalent approved by the Academic Board including appropriate English language studies.
Except for applicants eligible for Access Melbourne, minimum ATAR or equivalent overall performance rankings apply.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board on the use of selection instruments.

4. For applicants who have not completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the undergraduate English language requirements must be met.
Note.

• For applications through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre, “middle band” selection adjustments are made only on the basis of eligibility for Access Melbourne.

• Mathematical knowledge equivalent to VCE Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 3 and 4 with a study score of 25 or more is required for the following majors: Construction, Civil Systems, Mechanical Systems, Property, Spatial Systems, Computing and Digital Media.

Students intending to pursue one of these majors should take VCE Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 3 and 4 or an equivalent subject. A bridging subject will be available for students who have done VCE Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 but not VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 or students who have received a study score below 25 in VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

A candidate for the Bachelor of Design degree must have abilities and skills which include the following: observation; communication; motor; conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and behavioural and social.
Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.
Observation: A candidate must be able to read text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations of environmental contexts.
Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.
Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from external contexts. Off-campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments. Candidates should have sufficient motor ability to prepare documentation of analytic texts, drawings and models of findings and for the preparation of proposals for environmental interventions via digital or other means. A candidate should have the ability to actively participate in appropriate site and/or design studio‐based activities.
Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of graduates, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three‐dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
Major‐specific core participation requirements
Certain Majors employ studio-based learning, which includes the requirement to present work and to receive critique and feedback publically. “Crits” are an integral part of working in the industry and are an inherent requirement of the course.
The Bachelor of Design welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is the University and degree policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable a student’s participation in the Bachelor of Design.
Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support (SEDS).

Last updated: 7 October 2024