How to Apply to Art and Design at the University of Canberra: Five Majors in the Bachelor of Design at ATAR 60, Portfolio Entry and Visual Arts at UC Brisbane, with Portfolio Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Canberra (UC) is in Canberra, and its art and design degrees sit in the Faculty of Arts and Design. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on UC’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Bachelor of Design

• Key facts: three years full-time; the course page lists on-campus and blended delivery. The 2027 International Course Guide lists CRICOS code 113900B, course code ARB007 and UAC code 362106, with Semester 1 and 2 intakes. The course page lists start dates of 10 August 2026 and 15 February 2027.
• Five majors: Design (general), Game Development, Interaction Design, Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design. You choose in first year while building design foundations; if you are unsure, the general Design major lets you explore. The guide notes that Game Development is offered at TAFE QLD. Interaction Design is also available fully online.
• Core units: six, including Introduction to Interaction Design, Visual Representation Techniques, Design Culture and Society, and Design Thinking and User Centered Design. Work Integrated Learning is built into every major.
• Diploma pathway: UC College offers a Diploma of Design (CRICOS 076136M), 8 months (June and October intakes) or 12 months (March intake), with up to one year of credit towards a degree. The guide lists 2026 diploma fees of AUD 30,500–34,500 a year, depending on the diploma.

2. Creative degrees at UC Brisbane

• The 2027 International Course Guide also lists three-year degrees at UC Brisbane, marked as offered at TAFE QLD, including the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual Arts) (CRICOS 102459E), Bachelor of Creative Industries (Applied Fashion) (102456H) and Bachelor of Digital Design (Digital Media) (102460A), with Semester 1 and 2 intakes and a 2026 fee of AUD 35,000 a year.
• The Portfolio Entry page says you do not attach a portfolio for these Brisbane courses; you submit an expression of interest and the team contacts you about an informal interview or online submission. That page also lists Game Design and Visual Communication Design versions of the Bachelor of Digital Design, but the international guide lists only Digital Media.

3. Do you need a portfolio?

• Entry by results: the Bachelor of Design page lists ATAR 60. You need one of: an ATAR of 60+, another Australian qualification, relevant work experience or an overseas qualification. No portfolio is required.
• Portfolio Entry: you can use a portfolio to apply for any undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts and Design. The page says it suits people who don’t meet the admission requirements, Year 12 students wanting early entry, people with partly completed vocational study, and adult learners without a school or university qualification. It does not say whether international students can use it, so ask UC.
• Design portfolio: up to six pages of design projects, such as posters, branding, typography and illustration; websites, apps and UI/UX case studies; game concepts, character design and animation; or product sketches, CAD models and physical prototypes. Show your design process for each project (research, sketches, refinement, outcome) and explain your design decisions and the problem you were solving.
• How to submit: apply for the course first to get a UAC, QTAC or UC application number, then upload your portfolio through the Portfolio Entry form. Files must be 6MB or smaller; larger work can be shared through a public link.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: UC’s international qualifications page converts the Gaokao (out of 750) to a selection rank: 60 needs 427, 65 needs 441, 75 needs 471, 80 needs 487 and 85 needs 503. The Bachelor of Design’s ATAR 60 corresponds to 427.
• The downloadable equivalencies PDF on that page is titled 2025, and the web table has no year, so check again before applying.
• Students in China can apply directly through UC’s online portal or through a UC agent; UC has representatives in Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: by overall grade average, a selection rank of 60 needs 3, 65 needs 3.1, 75 needs 3.4, 80 needs 3.45 and 85 needs 3.55. The page does not state the grade scale.
• Ontario: by the overall average of Grade 12 U and M courses, 60 needs 67%, 65 needs 70%, 75 needs 74%, 80 needs 77% and 85 needs 79%.
• English: UC says an assessable qualification completed in English in a recognised English-speaking country, including Canada, meets the English requirement for most undergraduate degrees.

6. English

• Each degree has its own English requirement. The Bachelor of Design’s scores load dynamically on the course page and were not read for this guide.
• The English requirements page lists the UC standard undergraduate level as IELTS 6.0 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 67 (Reading 16, Listening 16, Speaking 19, Writing 19); PTE 50; or Duolingo 105. Results must be under two years old.

7. Transfer and credit

• You can apply for credit for previous study or work experience. Block credit is confirmed with your offer, up to two semesters (one year) for most undergraduate courses; partly completed qualifications are usually assessed individually.
• UC has a credit arrangement checker to see what your previous study may count for.

8. How to apply and timeline (2027 entry)

• International students apply directly through UC’s online portal or through a UC agent. International students completing an Australian Year 12, the IB or NCEA in Australia apply through UAC.
• Start dates: Semester 1, 2027 starts on 15 February, with Orientation Week from 9 February. The course page also lists a 10 August 2026 intake.
• Deadline and fee: the pages read for this guide do not give the international application deadline or application fee; check UC’s key dates page or ask international admissions.

9. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: the 2027 International Course Guide lists the Bachelor of Design at AUD 38,000 a year, with the column marked as the 2026 fee; check UC’s website for 2027 fees.
• UC High Achievers Scholarship: for commencing international students from all countries with 80% (or a GPA of 5.5 out of 7) for bachelor’s entry: 20% off tuition.
• UC Merit Scholarship: for all countries, with 70% (or a GPA of 5 out of 7): 10% off tuition.
• Both are assessed automatically when you apply, with no separate application; places are first-come, first-served until filled, and any award appears in your offer letter. The guide also lists a 30% UC Excellence Scholarship, available only to students from certain regions.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A Gaokao score of 427 out of 750 equals the Bachelor of Design’s selection rank of 60; 80% or above can be automatically considered for 20% off tuition
• Prepare an English test score (UC’s standard undergraduate level is IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in each band)
• Choose a major: Design, Game Development, Interaction, Industrial or Visual Communication

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• A BC overall average of 3 equals a rank of 60; finishing high school in English in Canada meets the English requirement for most degrees
• If your results fall short, ask UC whether international students can use Portfolio Entry (up to six pages of design projects)

Transfer students:

• Use the credit checker first; most degrees allow up to one year of credit

Sources: University of Canberra, Bachelor of Design; Design study area; 2027 International Course Guide (PDF); Portfolio Entry; International qualifications equivalencies; English language requirements; International student applications; Key dates; UC High Achievers Scholarships; UC Merit Scholarships; Credit for undergraduate studies. Information is for 2027 entry. Check the University of Canberra for the latest details.