Graduate Diploma of Design

The Graduate Diploma of Design at Whitehouse Institute of Design is a focused qualification for people who want to work in graphic design and need a formal credential to get there. It runs for 36 weeks, roughly one academic year, and sits at graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which places it between a bachelor degree and a master's. That makes it a practical option if you already have a degree in something else, or if you have industry experience and want to convert it into a recognised Australian qualification without committing to a two-year master's. The course is registered on CRICOS (code 083200E) for international students.

What you study

Graphic design at this level is hands-on. You work through typography, layout and composition, image-making, branding and identity, and digital production for print and screen. Studio units are the core of the course, you build a body of work rather than just sitting exams. Alongside studio practice you look at design history and theory, and at how design functions commercially: briefs, clients, budgets, and the ethics of visual communication. Assessment is typically a mix of project work, portfolios, written reflection and presentations, with a final capstone project that pulls your skills together into one substantial piece of design work.

How the qualification is structured

Australian graduate diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying a set number of credit points. At Whitehouse, the 36-week duration means you are studying full time across the year, with units delivered in the institute's trimester or semester pattern. Because this is a design qualification, the teaching happens in studios and workshops with access to software, printing facilities and critique sessions, the kind of environment where you learn by making and by having your work discussed in front of others. Work-integrated learning and industry connections are part of how design education works in Australia, so expect briefs set by real clients, guest practitioners, and the chance to build a professional portfolio before you finish. Confirm the exact unit list and credit point values on the official course page.

Who it suits

This course suits three groups of people: graduates from other disciplines who want to move into graphic design, designers already working without a formal qualification who want to formalise their skills, and international students looking for an Australian design credential they can take into the job market. If you are an international applicant, you will need to meet the English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for coursework postgraduate study, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institute's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets its own separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, and on completion you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should check the official page for current fees and intake dates.

• Graphic designer, working in design studios, advertising agencies and in-house marketing teams across Australia.
• Brand and identity designer, developing logos, visual systems and brand guidelines for organisations of all sizes.
• Digital designer, designing for websites, apps, social media and other screen-based platforms.
• Publication and editorial designer, layout and typesetting for magazines, books, reports and annual publications.
• Packaging designer, working with manufacturers, retailers and FMCG brands on product packaging and labelling.
• Freelance designer or studio founder, running your own practice, taking on client briefs independently.
• Design roles in government, education and not-for-profits, communications and campaign design for public sector and community organisations.
• Production and pre-press roles, preparing artwork for print and digital output in print houses and agencies.