INTERNATIONAL

Diploma of Graphic Design

CRICOS Code: 105815K
National Code: CUA50720

2025 2026

Description

Design your own career with this nationally recognised diploma. During this course you will develop the creative and practical techniques you need to produce effective design solutions for print and digital media. Learn about the Adobe software, working with type, motion graphics, creative thinking, UX/UI Design, branding, photo-media, web design, drawing for design, illustration, design history and 2D/3D visual campaign design. Graduate with an impressive portfolio of design work which can help to gain entry level employment or undertake further study in the advanced diploma.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

Graphic and Multimedia Designer

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Adelaide College of the Arts

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 12 or overseas equivalent
Submission of a folio which provides evidence of your technical skills and ability to produce multiple examples of graphic design work that respond effectively to different design challenges, produce typography that supports the overall design solution and use graphic design industry software

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $9602

Semester 2

AUD $9603

Fee Totals

AUD $19205

Total Course Cost

AUD $19205

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50720)
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who combine technical, creative and conceptual skills to create designs that meet client requirements and solve a range of visual communication challenges. You will gain a sound understanding of design theory and practice and the ability to analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources to generate design solutions. This course integrates both print and digital media applications of design. Topics covered include Design Foundations; Adobe Creative Suite; Typography; Drawing for Design; Design History; Creative Thinking; Illustration; Design Studio; Branding Identity; and Web/ Interactive Design. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 9 core units and 10 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Create and manipulate graphics	60	DABKL	CUAGRD514
Design and manipulate complex layouts	65	DABKM	CUAGRD515
Develop and extend design skills and practice	30	DABKG	CUADES413
Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs	60	DABKN	CUAGRD516
Present a body of own creative work	60	DABEG	CUAPPR513
Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications	60	DAALS	CUAGRD502
Produce typographic design solutions	60	DAALT	CUAGRD503
Refine drawing and other visual representation tools	80	DABDH	CUAACD531
Research visual communication history and theory	55	DAALR	CUAGRD501

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Build and launch a small business website	85	DAAPF	SITXEBS003
Create visual design components	30	DAAGP	CUADIG304
Design interactions	60	DABLC	CUADIG516
Develop and refine illustrative work	50	DAAMF	CUAILL401
Develop graphic designs for branding and identity	65	DABLH	CUAGRD617
Implement design solutions	70	DABLA	CUADES511
Make presentations	30	FACXX	BSBCMM411
Originate and develop concepts	30	FACYB	BSBCRT512
Produce innovative video art	50	DABLB	CUADIG416
Work with photomedia in creative practice	65	DABDG	CUAACD522

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.