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Master of Design (Strategic Design)

Queensland University of Technology

Australia, Brisbane

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Home/Australia/Brisbane /Queensland University of Technology/Master of Design (Strategic Design)

Queensland University of Technology

Australia , Brisbane

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

115459J

Campuses

Kelvin Grove

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines28-Feb-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 42,600 / per year

Next Intake 28-Feb-2026

Master of Design (Strategic Design)

About

Highlights

This course is a career-focused learning experience that will equip you with advanced knowledge in strategic design tailored for experienced design professionals looking to further their education, or those from other backgrounds looking to gain a design qualification.
Lead the creation of holistic and sustainable solutions that address complex challenges while driving meaningful change within a range of contexts such as social services, health, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure
Apply design methodologies to develop products and services through connecting design, creativity, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility.
Experience site excursions, industry guest lectures and projects with corporate partners such as the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy, ARM Hub, and Queensland Health, including the Herston Biofabrication Institute and Clinical Excellence Queensland.
Graduates from this course can qualify for admission into higher degree research programs such as a PhD.

More organisations recognise the value of strategic design in driving business success and fostering innovation, and employers are looking for professionals who can apply lateral thinking skills and design approaches to solve complex problems and create innovative, ethical solutions.

QUT is ranked globally in the top 100 universities for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023), and number one in Queensland. This course was developed to not only acknowledge your existing skills, but to enhance your capabilities so you can tackle complex challenges, drive innovation, and create positive, lasting impacts in a diverse range of career settings. You’ll be an adaptable strategist with competitive leadership and prudent decision-making skills in the global and fast evolving industry landscape.

Many of our teaching staff are also award-winning professors, accomplished researchers and industry leaders. They bring the latest insights from their fields of study and practice to the classroom, creating an authentic learning environment.

If you are interested in a research-based career path, you will have the opportunity to master research methodologies for strategic design, including scholarly writing for design research journals. Through hands-on experiences, you will be introduced to participatory design research, learning how to facilitate design workshops as data collection methods. Additionally, you will learn the methodologies underpinning design research that are fundamental to becoming a proficient design researcher with the option of admission into higher degree research programs such as a PhD upon completion of the master degree.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

You must have completed one of the following:

1 year program

Graduate Diploma in Strategic Design

1.5 year program

Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design; or
A recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in architecture, design, fashion, graphic design, industrial design, interaction design, interior design, landscape architecture, visual communication and equivalents.

2 year program

A recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline.

Minimum English language requirements

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test	Overall	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake	6.5	6	6	6	6
Cambridge English Score You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.	176	169	169	169	169
PTE Academic	58	50	50	50	50
TOEFL iBT	79	16	16	21	18

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Career

Careers and outcomes

There is increasing market demand for education that equips people with strategic design capabilities to work as leaders solving innovation problems for industry, government and communities. Healthcare, manufacturing, design services, government services, energy and social services are just some of the sectors where innovation is needed and employment for strategic designers is growing. Graduates of the Master of Design (Strategic Design) program are equipped to work in a wide range of industries and sectors due to their diverse skill set and deep understanding of critical design thinking and strategy. You’ll play a crucial role in identifying emerging opportunities, addressing complex challenges, and driving forward-thinking solutions.

Professional recognition

This course is a Design Institute of Australia Recognised Course. Graduates meet the educational eligibility requirements to become a DIA Accredited Designer, with benefits including business support and mentoring, full access to practice notes, and development programs.