Bachelor of Design Studies

Bachelor of Design Studies

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Study load
Full time
Program code

BP316

Duration
3 years
Application deadlines

06 Feb 2026

12 Jun 2026

09 Oct 2026

Intakes
Feb or Mar, Jun or Jul, Oct
Location
RMIT Saigon South
RMIT Hanoi
Program code
N/A
Application deadlines
N/A

Overview

  • Discover how to create designs that carry a message through creative thinking and conceptual ideas
  • Develop design projects and communication skills to become work-ready
  • Utilise specialised studios and Mac and PC labs equipped with the latest software 
  • Build your reputation, gain experience and create a professional creative portfolio

Develop your creative credentials to become a multi-disciplinary designer in this fast-growing and dynamic industry.

This program is intended for highly motivated students who want to combine a broad design education with the opportunity to specialise in specific creative streams.

In your first year, you will be introduced to a range of foundational skills and theories, such as the elements and principles of design, drawing, typography, computing, design research and creative thinking. In your second year, you can choose to specialise in two of the following areas:

  • Graphic Design or Illustration 
  • Spatial Concepts (Interiors & Spatial Design) or User Experience Design

In each specialisation, you will learn up-to-date theories, skills and creative concepts, and apply them in studio projects. Design Studies at RMIT has strong links with creative industries and external stakeholders with opportunities available to work on real life projects and live commissions, which will enhance your learning experience and career opportunities. 

the word 'design' with measurements around on a digital canvas

Program structure

The structure displayed shows the advised program structure and progression. 

Semester 7

Semester 8

Semester 9

Studio V is a program that links students with industry partners, government agencies, non-government organisations and other community groups through creative projects. These live projects reflect social, environmental and economic issues affecting Vietnam.

Design Disciplines

Choose two of the following specialisations:

  • Graphics or Illustration
  • Spatial Concepts (Interiors & Spatial Design) or User Experience Design

* University elective: Students can choose from elective courses offered across the university in any program.

Program guides for RMIT Saigon South and RMIT Hanoi.

Learning, teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning in the Bachelor of Design Studies degree places strong emphasis on practical work and collaborative learning approaches through design studios, workshops and workplace learning. Your learning is structured so that you can learn essential skills and knowledge to become a creative designer and ready for the workplace.

Your engagement with industry will also include filed trips, guest talks and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) projects, where students work on real-life design projects with a range of NGOs, companies and clients such as Adidas, Bayer, ipa-nima, Maison Chance, LifeCenter, Limloop, Studio Jimmy Elias (Germany), and many more.

Your work will be assessed in a variety of ways to ensure that you can curate your skills across the range of areas. The assessment methods include creative responses to design briefs, design projects, research, presentations, essays, individual and group projects. 

Expand all sections

The Bachelor of Design Studies will enable you to develop knowledge and critical analysis skills relevant to contemporary design concepts and practice. Areas of study include theories and methods of design, skills development, including drawing and model-making, development of conceptual skills, design project management and studios, and applied design in workplace and social contexts.

Upon the successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
  1. Critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge from the history of design, and adapt this knowledge to diverse social, ethical and cultural contexts.
  2. Critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge of diverse design theories, concepts and approaches, and adapt this knowledge to local and international contexts.
  3. Exercise critical thinking and judgment when evaluating products, outputs and outcomes of design activity in multiple disciplines in a range of media.
  4. Apply advanced visualisation and representation skills (including use of drawing, modelling and colour) to support design practice.
  5. Apply core technical skills and emerging design knowledge, skills and technologies, both independently and collaboratively, to enable further learning and professional practice.
  6. Exercise creativity, critical thinking and independent judgment to identify and solve real-world design challenges, and define and communicate innovative solutions.
  7. Apply planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills to the end-to-end design process.
  8. Develop responsibility and accountability for development of a personal design practice that demonstrates an original, ethical, innovative and professional approach to design.

RMIT provides world-class blended learning with both face-to-face and online experiences in a global network, a supportive community, and real-world skills.

Learn more about blended learning

Career

Career opportunities can be found in:

  • Graphic design
  • Interior and spatial design
  • Illustration and digital imaging 
  • UI and UX design
  • Creative art direction
  • 3D design
  • Motion graphics
  • Animation
  • Games design

Creative entrepreneur: Increasingly, RMIT graduates are setting up their own creative businesses and companies in the fast-growing world of design, media and communication in Vietnam and beyond. 

Further studies

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT honours or postgraduate program in Vietnam and Australia.

Fees

Payments can be made each semester, on a course-by-course basis.

Fee program

 

Annual tuition fee 

(based on full time study load - 8 courses)

Whole program fee

(22 courses - 288 credits)

 

 14,345 USD (indicative USD fee) ~ 375,840,000 VND
 43,035 USD (indicative USD fee) ~ 1,127,520,000 VND 

Notes

  1. RMIT Vietnam has 3 semesters per year, in each semester you enrol into a maximum of 3 courses. The duration of programs is flexible and can be adapted on an individual basis upon enrolment
  2. Program fees are priced and invoiced in Vietnam Dong (VND) by semester.
  3. Payment in other currencies will be converted to VND at the exchange rate on that day. Bank transfer is the preferred method of payment.
  4. The fees in USD are ONLY applicable to those international students who arrange for payment from overseas, as per Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN.
  5. Medical insurance fees are subject to change without notice.
  6. Fees are indicative only and subject to change based on individual enrolment. These fees apply only to 2026. For further details and terms and conditions, refer to the 2026 Student Fees and Charges Guide (pending).

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • Vietnamese Upper Secondary School (High School) Graduation Diploma with a minimum GPA of 7.0/10.0 for Grade 12 (For other international qualifications please view entry requirements by country​)

Academic pathway

English requirements

Successfully complete RMIT Vietnam English Advanced, or complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL iBT 79 (with minimum score of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 58 (no communication band below 50)
  • C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) or C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) 176 (no less than 169 in any component)

For other recognised English results, please view English equivalency requirements.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Note:

Previous study and proficiency tests are recognised for two years from the completion date or test date to the program commencement date unless stated otherwise. RMIT does not accept scores from at-home or online testing.

Where you have achieved more than one form of English language proficiency only the most relevant achievement will be considered in the admission decision.

Please contact the RMIT Vietnam Student Recruitment team for more information.

English Pathways

Don't meet the English language test scores? Successfully complete English for University for entry into this program. 

Credit transfer

Come from a partner institution? RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world. If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT, you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program. 

Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT.

If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Please contact the RMIT Vietnam Student Recruitment team for more information.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.