The Master of Design (Industrial Design) program incorporates a graduate diploma (semester 1) and a master year (semesters 2 and 3) and is valued at 150 credit points. It is a one-year full-time (or equivalent part-time*) 100 credit point program. Some units may be offered in the afternoon, but many are available as evening classes. The course operates under a student workload model based on two 12-week semesters of 100 credit points for a full time academic year. Students studying part-time should double the length of time the program takes to complete. After successful completion of the graduate diploma (50 credit points) students are required to complete a further 100 credit points to be eligible for the master award. Students are normally required to achieve a credit average at graduate diploma level to progress to the masters program. Entry into Design Centre is based upon achieving credit average results at the graduate diploma level and an interview.

The master program is available:
1) As a coursework program with emphasis on structured skills acquisition, design investigation and applied design projects. It offers advanced knowledge and experience in design practice, design management, creative strategies and relevant technical knowledge.
2) Through participation in the Faculty Design Centre, an alternative mode of study placing emphasis on 'real world learning' with students engaging with industry and delivering design solutions. Design Centre can be undertaken for one or both of the final two semesters of this program and entry is based upon achieving credit average results at the graduate diploma level and an interview - semesters at Design Centre are 20 weeks in duration. Design Centre consists of one unit of 37.5 credit points and one unit of 12.5 credit points per semester.

Participants may join the program in either Semester 1 (February intake) or Semester 2 (August intake).

With the approval of the program coordinator, participants may substitute units of study in the program described for units of study offered in other Master of Design programs of the Faculty of Design or units of study offered by other faculties of the university.

There are two 12-week semesters a year with a full-time annual study load of 100 credit points. An optional six-week winter term allows you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. The winter term is not mandatory; however, if you wish to vary your study load you should consider this option. Please contact the faculty office if you wish to vary your study load in this way.

*  Please note that international students on a student visa must study full-time as part of their visa requirements.

Students may join the program in either Semester 1 (February intake) or Semester 2 (August intake). All units of study are 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Graduate diploma (undertaken prior to the master year) 
The graduate diploma is a 50 credit point program consisting of 25 credit points from core units and 25 credit points from elective units.
Students are normally required to achieve a credit average at graduate diploma level to progress to the master program. A credit average at graduate diploma level and an interview are required for entry into the Design Centre.

Core units - offered Semester 1 (February intake) and Semester 2 (August intake)
HDG500 Research Studio - User Centred Design
HDG501 Design Studio - User Centred Design
Elective units
HDG512 Product Interaction and Smart Environments
HDG522 Product as Environment
HDG513 Digital Technology - Content Creation
HDG523 Digital Technology - Presentation
 
Note:  to allow for greater flexibility at graduate diploma level, all units will be run each teaching period dependent upon numbers.
 
Master
The master program is a 150 credit point program consisting of 125 credit points from core units and 25 credit points from elective units. 50 of these credit points are gained by completing the graduate diploma then students complete the master year.
 
Semester 1 (February intake)
Core units
HDG607 Sustainable Design Research
HDG608 Sustainable Design Studio
HDG630 Experience Design Analysis
HDG631 Experience Design Studio

or

Design Centre
HDG615 Professional Practice 9 - 37.5 credit point
HDG631 Experience Design Studio

Semester 2 (August intake)
Core units
HDG609 Design as Service Research
HDG610 Design as Service Studio
HDG633 Design Futures
HDG627 Design in Context

or

Design Centre
HDG625 Professional Practice 10 - 37.5 credit points
HDG627 Design in Context

These programs have an emphasis on structured skills acquisition, design investigation and applied design projects.

Graduates may find work in areas such as product design for and within manufacturing industries or design consultancies; exhibition, environmental and furniture design; design research or management; or as self-employed designers or manufacturers.

Graduates of the program will demonstrate a balance of vocationally orientated attributes, including:

• Strong industry connections and awareness of the pace of development in the design industry, ensuring their professional capability and preparation
• Experience of ‘just in time’ strategies and interaction with actual clients, ensuring graduates are adaptable and are tested in their ability to manage the process and timeframes of industry practice
• The capacity for high levels of innovation in the development of creative projects
• ‘State of the art’ skills for design development, production, presentation and management, as well the capacity to integrate design into diverse organisational cultures
• An awareness of the changing nature of design consultancies and services and the capacity to embrace and manage change
• The scope to become future leaders in design industries and businesses internationally, or in directing design activity in government or other social and cultural organisations

The indicative course tuition fee is $16800 for 2011, based on 1 year full time load (or 1 EFTSL). The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income-contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $85,062 from 1 January 2010). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees