Product Design

Industrial designers create the form and function of the thousands of products people use every day, including electronic devices, domestic appliances and homewares, efficient workplace products, tools for safer and more effective industrial applications, sports equipment to improve safety and performance, fashion accessories, new car concepts, toy and game design, furniture and medical equipment.

Industrial designers focus on the aesthetics, function, usability and social significance of manufactured objects and play a key role in determining how products are made, the materials used and environmental sustainability. 

Industrial designers explore the practical issues that influence product design, such as ergonomics, manufacturing technologies, trend forecasting, sustainability, and how this knowledge informs the design of products that make people’s lives safer, easier and more efficient.

The degree has a strong emphasis on hands-on, practical experience through design studios, model making and prototyping, work experience and the opportunity for international study.

Graduates of a Bachelor of Design (Product Design) degree will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge of the aesthetics, function, usability and social significance of manufactured objects to play a key role in determining how products are made, the materials used and environmental sustainability. Graduates will possess a solid understanding of the practical issues that influence product design– such as ergonomics, manufacturing technologies, trend forecasting, sustainability – and how this knowledge informs the design of products that make people's lives safer, happier and more efficient. 

The students will complete 108 units of study comprising 9 units of design, culture and society, 54 units of studio and practice, 36 units of major in product design, and 9 units of electives.

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to:

Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and

• obtain a competitive ATAR, and
• meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C-    

Alternatively, applicants can fulfil one of the following requirements with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements, and other academic requirements for the program:

• Complete secondary education qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points, or
• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above, or
• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a University Foundation Studies program

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

• IELTS total: - 6.0
• IELTS reading: - 6.0
• IELTS writing: - 6.0

Each year, more than 2,500 students at the University of South Australia benefit from scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. We welcome high achieving students from developing countries who are supported by the Australian government program, Australia Awards. We also host around 500 students who are sponsored by their home government, university or employer.