Diploma in Design/ Bachelor of Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary)

This is a combined pathway: you start with a Diploma in Design, then move into the Bachelor of Graphic Design, and the whole thing is structured so you come out qualified to teach secondary Design and Technology as well. It runs three years full time, which is the standard length of an Australian bachelor degree. The key difference is that the teaching component is built in, you don't do a separate master's later. You graduate with a degree that covers both graphic design practice and the education units you need to register as a secondary teacher.

What you actually study

The design side is studio-based. You work on typography, branding, layout, digital and print production, and you build a portfolio across the degree. The education side covers curriculum and pedagogy for secondary students, classroom management, and how to teach Design and Technology as a subject. You'll do professional experience placements in schools, that's the work-integrated learning part, and it's a requirement for teacher registration in Australia. The diploma year gives you a grounding in design before you step into the bachelor units. You'll accumulate credit points across units of study, usually eight units a year, and the degree is delivered over semesters.

How the qualification sits on the AQF

A bachelor degree is AQF level 7. Three years full time is the norm. If you later want to specialise or research, an honours year adds one more year, a master's is one to two, and a doctorate is three or more. This particular degree combines two fields, design and education, so you'll see units from both schools. The teaching units are the ones that let you apply for registration with the state teaching authority in New South Wales. Confirm the exact registration requirements with the authority, because they can change.

Who it suits

If you want to teach high school art, design or technology, and you also want real design skills rather than just theory, this is a direct route. It suits school leavers and career changers. You'll need to meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate courses, but teaching usually asks for 7.0–7.5 because you'll be in classrooms. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, check the official page for the current figure and intake details.

• Secondary school teacher (Design and Technology, Visual Arts) in NSW public, Catholic and independent schools
• Graphic designer in studios, advertising agencies, publishing and in-house marketing teams
• Digital designer working on web, social media and motion graphics
• Brand and identity designer for small businesses, not-for-profits and government
• Design consultant or freelance designer
• Education support roles, curriculum resource development, or further study in design or teaching