The Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) program prepares you for the profession with a new culture of learning supported by a user/student-centered approach, competency learning, design studio-project based learning, applied design research and innovation.
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Duration
Full Time: 4 Years (Available Part Time)*
Next Start Date
01 March 2027
19 July 2027
Closing Date
Campuses^
LSR
Parramatta City
UAC 722535
60
Domestic Student Fees
Indicative annual fee from $11,885
Additional Information
Program Code: 3731
CRICOS Code: 107743E
Design products that improve everyday life
Every product begins with a problem worth solving.
From wearable technology and medical devices to furniture, consumer products and sustainable packaging, industrial designers combine creativity, technology and human-centred thinking to create products that improve the way people live, work and interact with the world.
Western's Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) combines studio-based learning with digital technologies, prototyping and real-world industry experience to prepare you for careers in product design, innovation and design leadership. You'll explore design thinking, digital modelling, materials, manufacturing and user experience while developing the practical skills needed to transform ideas into commercially viable products.
Complete your Honours year with an advanced design research project, graduate with a professional portfolio and gain valuable industry experience through work-integrated learning opportunities.
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As an Adobe Creative Campus, Western Sydney University gives all students complimentary access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, so you can level up your digital skills with FREE access to the Adobe Creative Cloud apps. It's like your very own innovation toolkit, where technology meets creativity!
Adobe Creative Cloud is a comprehensive suite of software tools and services which provide a one-stop platform for professionals and enthusiasts in various creative fields, offering a wide range of applications for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography, and more!
Graduates from this program are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA).
If you didn’t achieve the required ATAR, or you’re not eligible for early entry through HSC True Reward, you may still be considered for entry through an interview process.Your application will be assessed based on your personal aptitude, experience and educational qualifications, supported by a portfolio of your work.
After applying for the Bachelor of Industrial Design , please contact the School support team via email, edbe@westernsydney.edu.au to request an interview. The team will arrange a suitable time and provide guidance on preparing your portfolio and interview.
From your first year, you'll work in a studio-based environment that mirrors professional design practice. You'll develop ideas, create prototypes, test and refine your designs, and collaborate with others to solve real-world design challenges.
You'll combine creative thinking with digital design, materials, manufacturing and prototyping to turn ideas into products that respond to real user needs.
Bring your ideas to life using contemporary design and fabrication technologies. You'll have opportunities to work with 3D printing, VR and AR, digital fabrication and advanced design software to develop, test and refine physical and digital prototypes.
These experiences help you build the technical skills needed to move an idea from concept to something that can be tested, improved and ultimately brought to market.
Industrial Design is about solving real problems for real people. Throughout your degree, you'll have opportunities to connect your learning with industry through projects, competitions, internships and professional experiences.
Industry examples include opportunities such as a Tesla internship, the Maxon Fox Emerging Designer Award and student projects with ResMed, giving you the opportunity to see how design skills are applied in professional environments.
Your portfolio is developed throughout your degree as you document your design thinking, creative process, prototypes and finished projects.
By graduation, you'll have a body of work that demonstrates your creativity, innovation and practical capability - giving you something tangible to show prospective employers, clients or industry partners.
What you can expect to study
The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.
You can choose from the following majors:
This major has a focus on change, digital innovation and incorporates simulation and incubators for students who wish to pursue a corporate design role, or build their own start-up business generating new value and driving dynamic careers.
The Technology Entrepreneurship major is focused on guiding students through all stages of turning their innovative idea into a start-up company. In an entrepreneurial ecosystem, you will learn the knowledge and techniques for opportunity discovery, impact analysis, customer analysis, strategic team-building and leadership, the psychology and ethics of the start-up, funding modelling and financial analysis, growth and exit strategies. We will be helping you with defining your idea, forming a team around it, building a prototype, developing a pitch for investors and running a start-up company.
Career Opportunities
Graduates work across design consultancies, manufacturing, technology companies, healthcare, consumer products, start-ups and innovation teams. Many also pursue research, entrepreneurship or leadership roles within the design industry. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:
- Industrial Designer
- Product Designer
- Design Consultant
- User Experience (UX) Designer
- Product Development designer
- Innovation Consultant
- Furniture Designer
- Medical Device Designer
- Design Researcher
- Design Entrepreneur
Alumni
"The work you undertake in design, even if it’s difficult, considered insignificant, or limited by current circumstances, can have the potential to transform how we live."
— Cameron Lee, Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
Entry requirements for domestic students
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. Find out more here.
Admission
- Assumed knowledge: any two subjects of English plus at least two subjects of Design, Design and Technology, Visual Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering, or Business Studies.
Alternate Entry
Entry may be considered through an interview process, where your personal aptitude, experience and educational qualifications are assessed, supported by a portfolio of your work.
After applying for the Bachelor of Industrial Design, please contact the School support team via email, edbe@westernsydney.edu.au, to request an interview. The team will arrange a suitable interview time and provide further information on preparing your portfolio and interview.
Please consult the handbook for more information.
Entry requirements for international students
**The Part-time option is not available to International Students on a Student Visa.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Admission
- Assumed knowledge: any two subjects of English plus at least two subjects of Design, Design and Technology, Visual Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering, or Business Studies.
Alternate Entry
Entry may be considered through an interview process, where your personal aptitude, experience and educational qualifications are assessed, supported by a portfolio of your work.
After applying for the Bachelor of Industrial Design, please contact the School support team via email, edbe@westernsydney.edu.au, to request an interview. The team will arrange a suitable interview time and provide further information on preparing your portfolio and interview.
Please consult the handbook for more information.
Indicative annual fee
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.
The fee estimates provided are indicative only and subject to change. These estimates are based on the current fee structures for a normal full time study load. However, the final fees may vary depending on several factors, including the specific subjects chosen, the duration and timing of study, and annual fee adjustments (subject to Commonwealth student contribution band rates). Please note that these estimates do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee. We encourage all prospective and current students to consult with our Student Services Hub for the most current fee information.
As a multi-campus institution, Western Sydney University and its entities reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary.
To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area.
You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.
The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia.
If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas.
New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date.
However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.
Apply as a Domestic Student
If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.
Domestic students are:
- Australian Citizens
- New Zealand Citizens
- Australian permanent residents
- Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders
Scholarships
Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees.
The fee estimates provided are indicative only and subject to change. These estimates are based on the current fee structures for a normal full time study load. However, the final fees may vary depending on several factors, including the specific subjects chosen, the duration and timing of study, and annual fee adjustments (subject to Commonwealth student contribution band rates). Please note that these estimates do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee. We encourage all prospective and current students to consult with our Student Services Hub for the most current fee information.
As a multi-campus institution, Western Sydney University and its entities reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary.
Apply as an International Student
If you are an international student, you can apply for free through our international student application system or through an agent representative.
International students are:
- Not an Australian citizen;
- Not a New Zealand citizen; and
- Not a permanent resident of Australia.
If you are an international student completing the Australian HSC, IB or NCEA, apply direct via UAC International.
Admission to Western Sydney University is on the basis of meeting minimum academic and English language requirements. For more information about tuition fees and other costs, visit the Fees and Costs page.
Scholarships
When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000 and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.
FAQs
We've gathered common questions to provide you with quick, clear answers about this program. Whether you're exploring admission requirements, details about the degree or career prospects, you'll find valuable insights here. If you need more information, our support team is ready to assist you on your journey to Western. You can find their details below.
Industrial Design is the process of designing products, services and experiences that improve the way people live. You'll combine creativity, research and technology to design products that are functional, sustainable and centred around user needs.
Western Sydney University offers a studio-based learning environment where you'll work on authentic design challenges, build a professional portfolio and develop practical skills in digital design, prototyping and product development. You'll also complete an Honours research project that prepares you for leadership, innovation and further study.
Throughout your degree you'll work on studio projects, build physical and digital prototypes and collaborate on industry-inspired design challenges. You'll also have opportunities to undertake work-integrated learning through internships or industry-based experiences.
Graduates work across product design, innovation, manufacturing, technology and design consulting.
Graduates may work as:
- Industrial Designer
- Product Designer
- UX Designer
- Product Development Designer
- Innovation Consultant
- Medical Device Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Design Researcher
- Design Entrepreneur
- Design Consultant
The integrated Honours year gives you the opportunity to complete an advanced design research project, strengthen your professional portfolio and develop research and innovation skills valued by industry and postgraduate programs.
Absolutely. Prototyping is a core part of the program. You'll explore model making, digital fabrication and product development using contemporary tools and technologies to test and refine your ideas.
Yes. You'll develop digital design skills using contemporary software and, as a Western Sydney University student, you'll receive complimentary access to Adobe Creative Cloud through the University's Adobe Creative Campus initiative.
Yes. The program includes work-integrated learning opportunities that allow you to apply your knowledge in professional settings, helping you build industry connections and practical experience before you graduate.
Yes. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), supporting your professional development and industry recognition.
Industrial Design focuses on designing products, technologies and user experiences that improve everyday life. Architectural Design focuses on designing buildings, spaces and the built environment. Both programs emphasise creativity, innovation and human-centred design but apply these skills in different ways.
If you want to design innovative products, combine creativity with technology, prototype ideas and bring products to life and build your own design business or start-up study Industrial Design (Honours).
Consider studying Bachelor of Architectural Design if you want to design buildings in public spaces, or a Bachelor of Design and Technology if you want to explore creative technologies and digital design.
Want to know more?
We're here to provide clarity.
If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward.
Australian students
1300 668 370
International students
+61 2 9852 5499
The fee estimates provided are indicative only and subject to change. These estimates are based on the current fee structures for a normal full time study load. However, the final fees may vary depending on several factors, including the specific subjects chosen, the duration and timing of study, and annual fee adjustments (subject to Commonwealth student contribution band rates). Please note that these estimates do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee. We encourage all prospective and current students to consult with our Student Services Hub for the most current fee information.
As a multi-campus institution, Western Sydney University and its entities reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary.