Graphic Design

The CIT Diploma of Graphic Design is well regarded by industry. This diploma provides a study pathway that supports the workforce development of Graphic Designer professionals for a career digital, technical and creative concepts to create designs that meet client requirements and solve a range of visual communication challenges.

This qualification covers the application of skills and knowledge required to interpret and design solutions for a range of designs and client briefs that include typography, illustration, photography and layouts.

Graphic designers communicate ideas and information in visually engaging ways to connect with their target audiences. As designers, you will be involved in developing effective visual communication and designs for various clients from a range of industries.

Practice at this level is underpinned by application of design theory and practice, and the ability to analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources to generate design solutions. Work with the latest Adobe software and Mac technology to develop complex design concepts and produce designs that meet clients’ needs for a range of visual communication outcomes.

The Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design provides a study pathway that supports the workforce development of Graphic Designer professionals for a career digital, technical and creative concepts to create designs that meet client requirements and solve a range of visual communication challenges.
This qualification will refine and extend your abilities at developing design concepts and also work on more complex design projects covering the continuing application of skills and knowledge required to interpret, design solutions for a range of designs and client briefs that include typography, illustration, photography and layouts.
Projects may include corporate branding, packaging design, publication design, web graphics, websites, 2D animations and a public exhibition of your work. Real industry experience (placements) is encouraged and supported with local industry.

  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Diploma of Graphic Design | CUA50720
    CRICOS: 105812B

    Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design | CUA60320
    CRICOS: 112086B

    The Advanced Diploma qualification is delivered over one semester, full time 20 hrs approx. per week, after the completion of the Diploma in Graphic Design with CIT.
    Alternatively, if you have not completed the Diploma in Graphic Design with CIT, it will be completed in two semesters 1 year, full time.
    You will be required to complete additional activities outside of these scheduled classes as part of the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN).

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE: 2 years

    Diploma 1.5 years

    Advanced Diploma 6 months with completion of the Diploma in Graphic Design with CIT

    Advanced Diploma 12 months if Diploma of Graphic Design has been completed with another provider.

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    Diploma 2025 Semester 1 (February)

    Advance Diploma 2025 Semester 2 (July)

    Diploma 2026 Semester 1 (February)

    Advance Diploma 2026 Semester 2 (July)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Reid
    From Semester 2 2025, the location of courses delivered at CIT Reid will transition to the new CIT Woden campus. CIT will provide support for students who will be making the move to Woden. Learn more

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2025 Semester 1:

    Diploma $7,830 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $23,490)

    2025 Semester 2:

    Advanced Diploma : $7,830 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $15,660 for 12 month qualification or $7,830 upon completion of CIT’s Diploma of Graphic Design)

    2026: TBA

    Extra Fees:

    Diploma: Material fees $1,529.00, Uniform/equipment Hard drive or cloud storage $100, Stationary Printing costs $200. Other: Laptop (preferred but not essential) eg. MacBook Pro: approx. $3,000

    Advanced Diploma: Laptop (preferred but not essential) e.g. MacBook Pro: $2,000-3,000 approx., Hard drive: $100 approx., Printing & mounting: $320 approx.

    To complete this course, you will be provided an account to Adobe Suite but will be required to provide the following:
    - Notebook
    - Visual arts diary (A3)
    - Drawing tools
    - Headphones
    - Image capture devices i.e., scanner, camera

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate or equivalent
    • Interview (or other negotiated process)
    • A portfolio of recent work or work that demonstrates your aptitude for design. Portfolios may contain examples of design solutions from a range of activities and media types and may include: drawing, photography, painting, printmaking or any graphic design projects you have undertaken


    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements

    Students must meet one of the following English requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (no band score less than 5.0)
    • PTE Academic - 50 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 169

    Non student visa applicants who hold a temporary visa for the full duration of the offered program will be required to meet Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 in across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills or equivalent.

    Portfolio Requirements
    Individuals must provide evidence of their technical skills and ability to:

    • produce multiple examples of graphic design work that meets different design requirements.
    • produce typography that supports the overall design solution.
    • use graphic design industry software.
    • Skills and knowledge may have been acquired through personal or work experience or formal study.
    • (You will need to collect and retain confirmed evidence of any entry requirements if stated)
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Graphic Design | CUA50720 – 19 subjects

    Core: Complete all 9

    • CUAGRD501 Research visual communication history and theory
    • CUAPPR513 Present a body of own creative work
    • CUAGRD502 Produce graphic designs for 2-D and 3-D applications
    • CUAGRD514 Create and manipulate graphics
    • CUAGRD503 Produce typographic design solutions
    • CUAGRD515 Design and manipulate complex layouts
    • CUAGRD516 Develop graphic design practice to meet industry needs
    • CUADES413 Develop and extend design skills and practice
    • CUAACD531 Refine drawing and other visual representation tools

    Electives: Complete 10

    • CUADES412 Interpret and respond to a design brief
    • CUAPPR511 Realise a body of creative work
    • CUAACD522 Work with photomedia in creative practice
    • CUADES511 Implement design solutions
    • ICTDMT407 Incorporate video assets into media presentations
    • CUADIG401 Author interactive media
    • CUASOU304 Prepare audio assets
    • CUADIG413 Create user interfaces
    • BSBCMM411 Make presentations
    • BSBMKG551 Create multiplatform advertisements for mass media
  • Course Subjects - Advanced Diploma

    Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design | CUA60320 – 15 subjects

    Core: Complete all 6

    • CUAPPR612 Collaborate in professional creative projects
    • CUADES512 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
    • CUADES611 Manage design realisation
    • CUAGRD612 Originate graphic designs for complex briefs
    • CUAGRD611 Engage in the business of graphic design
    • CUAGRD603 Extend typographic design expertise

    Electives: Complete 9

    • CUAPPR514 Establish and maintain environmentally sustainable creative practice
    • CUAACD531 Refine drawing and other visual representation tools
    • CUAACD522 Work with photomedia in creative practice
    • CUAPPR614 Publicly present a body of own creative work
    • CUADES511 Implement design solutions
    • CUAGRD617 Develop graphic designs for branding and identity
    • CUADIG401 Author interactive media
    • CUADIG413 Create user interfaces
    • BSBMKG551 Create multiplatform advertisements for mass media
    • CUAPPR511 Realise a body of creative work
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Diploma: Professional graphic design practitioners

    Advanced Diploma: This qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge enabling employment opportunities as a Professional Graphic Design Practitioner. You may work in many different commercial and community contexts across both print and digital media.

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Teaching methods include:

    • Simulated workplaces to practice professional skills: the Graphic Design ‘Mac labs’ reflect a functioning design studio environment with access to the latest equipment, software, scanners, tablets, video and sound technologies
    • Work experience, including client interactions, commercial design briefs and industry work placements
    • Collaborative learning
    • Supervised study time with visiting industry specialists and practice feedback from industry professionals
    • On-line learning and student engagement through e-Learn
    • Excursions and field trips


    Students will be assessed in the following ways:

    • Participation in industry projects, complete assignments and projects
    • Assessments may be based on competency, marks and grades, or a combination of all three
  • Pathways to Further Study

    CIT’s credit transfer arrangements can reduce the time and fees required to complete a bachelor degree at university. If you successfully complete your CIT qualification and gain entry into the university below, you will receive the following:

    University of Canberra (UC)

    • Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50720) = 24 credit points (1 year) towards UC’s Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design) (ARB203)

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    We advise you speak directly with your chosen university in relation to credit transfer, entry requirements and their application process.

    Diploma of Graphic Design
    1.5 years     Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
    6 months
    = 2.0 years of study
    ▼
    Optional degree pathway available