How to Apply to Art and Design at Western Sydney University: The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, Design and Technology, and the Four-Year Industrial Design (Honours), Entry by Results with a Portfolio Interview Option, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Western Sydney University (Western) has several campuses across Western Sydney. It has three design degrees: the Bachelor of Design in visual communication, the Bachelor of Design and Technology, and the Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours); Industrial Design belongs to the School of Built Environment and Design. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on Western’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Three design degrees

• Bachelor of Design: three years at Parramatta South, program code 1949, UAC code 720716, CRICOS code 121425B; the course page lists the next start date as 1 March 2027. It was formerly the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) (1571). First year builds foundations in branding, typography, image-making, design thinking, user experience and digital storytelling; from second year you choose a major:
  • Branding and Strategy
  • Data and Digital Storytelling
  • User Experience and User Interface Design
  Creative minors include photography, animation, Indigenous culture and creative practice, and fashion cultures and sustainability. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).
• Bachelor of Design and Technology: three years at Parramatta City, program code 3729, UAC code 722520, CRICOS code 041034F, starting 1 March or 19 July 2027. It focuses on digital experiences, emerging technologies and interaction design, with majors including Visualisation and Graphics, Design Management and Design-Led Innovation.
• Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours): four years with an integrated Honours year at Parramatta City, program code 3731, UAC code 722535, CRICOS code 107743E, starting 1 March or 19 July 2027. It focuses on physical products, prototyping and user-centred design; graduates are eligible for DIA membership.
• Western’s own comparison: Design and Technology is about digital experiences and emerging technology, Industrial Design about physical products, and the Bachelor of Architectural Design about buildings and spaces.
• No separate fine art degree appears in the pages read for this guide. The 2027 fee schedule also lists communication degrees such as Screen Media (Arts and Production) under Creative Industries; they are not covered here.

2. Do you need a portfolio?

• Entry by results: all three degrees admit on the basis of the ATAR or equivalent, and each course page lists a lowest selection rank (LSR) of 60. No portfolio is required.
• Portfolio interview:
  • Bachelor of Design: you can be admitted through an interview in which you talk with academic staff about your creative work and motivation, supported by a portfolio. Apply first, then request an interview using the contact on the course page; the School will arrange a time and send guidance on preparing your portfolio. The page says this pathway is “available to all applicants”, listing cases such as not receiving an ATAR or not reaching the required ATAR. Current Year 12 students who succeed receive an early conditional offer.
  • Design and Technology and Industrial Design: if you don’t reach the required ATAR, you can be considered through an interview assessing your aptitude, experience and qualifications, supported by a portfolio. After applying, email the School support team to request an interview.
• None of the course pages gives the number of pieces or format; guidance comes after you book an interview. The listed cases mostly refer to Australian students, so ask international admissions whether international applicants can use the interview route.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Western’s international qualifications table lists the minimum for undergraduate entry as one of:
  • completion of Gao San with an 80% average over three years;
  • a Gaokao score at the Science Stream second-tier university threshold for your province;
  • completion of the first year of a bachelor’s degree at a recognised university.
• The table says these are minimums and some degrees may require more; it is version v07 with no year shown.
• If you don’t meet the requirements, Western automatically assesses you for a pathway at The College, such as the Diploma in Creative Industries and Communication.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• The table lists an Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia or Quebec secondary school diploma with six university or university/college preparation courses at an overall average of 65% as meeting the undergraduate minimum.
• Which BC Grade 12 courses count is not listed in the pages read for this guide.

5. English

• The international entry requirements page lists, for most undergraduate and postgraduate programs (with listed exceptions): IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 82 (Writing 21, Speaking 18, Reading 13, Listening 13); or PTE Academic 58 with no communicative skill below 50. Tests must be no more than two years old at commencement; IELTS Online, PTE Online and TOEFL iBT Home Edition are not accepted.
• Whether finishing high school in English in Canada exempts you is not stated in the pages read for this guide.

6. Transfer students

• The qualifications table says completing the first year of a bachelor’s at a recognised university meets the undergraduate minimum.
• Advanced standing rules are in the online handbook, which was not accessed for this guide; ask Western.

7. How to apply and timeline (2027 entry)

• Direct: international students apply through Western’s international application system free of charge, or through an agent.
• UAC: international students completing an Australian Year 12 (in or outside Australia), the IB in Australia, or NCEA Level 3 must apply through UAC International.
• Start dates: Bachelor of Design, 1 March 2027; Design and Technology and Industrial Design, 1 March or 19 July 2027.
• Closing date: the “Closing Date” field on the course pages is blank.

8. Fees and scholarships

• 2027 international tuition: the 2027 undergraduate international fee schedule lists the Bachelor of Design and Technology at AUD 42,962 a year (based on 80 credit points). The schedule does not list the Bachelor of Design (1949) or the Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) (3731), and their international fees are not given in the pages read for this guide, so ask Western. Fees change each year.
• Automatic scholarship assessment: no separate application is needed; any award appears in your offer letter.
  • Western Sydney International Scholarship (Undergraduate): the scholarships page says AUD 10,000 or 5,000 a year in 2027 for the full duration of your degree, and AUD 6,000 or 3,000 for up to three years in 2026. The how-to-apply page mentions AUD 6,000 or 3,000 for up to three years and 50% off tuition. Both are on Western’s website; your offer letter is final.
  • Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship: 50% of tuition for three years.
  • International Alumni Scholarship: AUD 10,000 a year for up to three years (undergraduate) for new international students commencing in 2026 and 2027, on academic merit, first-come, first-served.
  • Applicants from North Asia and South East Asia are eligible for a AUD 5,000 or 10,000 Regional Achievement Award; the page says it is available for all 2026 intakes.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A three-year Gao San average of 80%, or the Science Stream second-tier Gaokao threshold for your province
• Prepare IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band) or an equivalent
• Choose your degree: visual communication (Design), digital interaction (Design and Technology) or physical products (Industrial Design)

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

• A BC diploma with six university preparation courses at an overall average of 65%
• Apply online for free; scholarships are assessed automatically

Transfer students:

• One year of bachelor’s study meets the minimum; confirm credit with Western

Sources: Western Sydney University, Bachelor of Design; Bachelor of Design and Technology; Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours); International entry requirements; International qualifications table (PDF); International tuition; 2027 undergraduate international fees (PDF); International scholarships; How to apply; Diploma in Creative Industries and Communication. Information is for 2027 entry. Check Western Sydney University for the latest details.