How to Apply to Design at the University of Queensland: The Three-Year Bachelor of Design With Seven Majors and No Portfolio Listed in Its Entry Requirements, With Portfolio Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Queensland (UQ) is in Brisbane. Its undergraduate design degree is the Bachelor of Design, taught at the St Lucia campus. UQ describes it as a degree in designing products, services, systems and experiences. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on UQ’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The degree

• Length and codes: three years (part-time also possible), program code 2551, QTAC code 711203, CRICOS code 102785B. Semester 1 2027 starts on 22 February and Semester 2 on 26 July.
• What you study: UQ describes the degree as interdisciplinary: rather than one design field, you learn to design products, systems, services, strategies and experiences. You build foundations in design processes, visual communication and fabrication, then work through studio projects on user experience, business innovation, the circular economy, co-design and complex systems. You graduate with a professional portfolio.
• Seven majors: Anthropology, Architectural Studies, Environment and Society, Information Environments (programming, UX and interface design, digital prototyping), Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Media and Digital Cultures, and Urban Systems.
• Sample courses: Design for a Better World, Design for the Circular Economy, Design for Complex Systems, Design Fabrication and Professional Profiles in Practice (core), plus the elective User Centred Design.
• Recognition and practice: the degree is recognised by the Design Institute of Australia; it includes studios, fieldwork, work placements and professional practice courses, and students can use UQ Innovate for prototyping and fabrication.
• Dual degrees: with Business Management, Engineering (Honours) or Information Technology.

2. Portfolio and entry scores

• Portfolio: the entry requirements on the program page list only prerequisites, a minimum entry score and English requirements; no portfolio, interview or set task is listed. Check with UQ before applying if you are unsure whether extra material is needed.
• Prerequisite: Queensland Year 12 General English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.
• Entry scores (Australian reference): the lowest adjusted scores offered a place in Semester 1 2026 were ATAR 84 and IB 32. For recent secondary students, scores without adjustments ranged from 84.45 (lowest) to 96.9 (highest), median 91.2; with adjustments, 84.45 to 97.5, median 92.25. Scores are updated each April, and meeting them does not guarantee an offer.
• Intake: in Semester 1 2026 the degree admitted 14 students, 6 of them (42.9%) international.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: assessed as a percentage of the maximum score in your province; Semester 1 2027 requires 75%.
• A-Level: aggregate of the best 3 (or 2) A Levels, with A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 and AS Levels counting half: 10. The English prerequisite can be met with any English subject at GCSE/O Level or A/AS Level (including ESL).
• IB: 32, with the full IB Diploma.
• AP: aggregate of 2 to 4 AP exams: 13. Scores must come from the College Board; AP grades on a high school transcript do not count. AP English at grade 3 or above meets the English prerequisite.
• SAT/ACT: SAT 1170 or ACT 26, plus evidence of a recognised school leaving certificate.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: average of Language Arts 12 plus the best 3 Grade 12 subjects with 4 credit points: 73.33. The English prerequisite is English 12 or English Studies 12 at a 50% pass.
• Ontario: average of the best 6 U or U/M courses: 73.33. The OSSD must come from a recognised public or Catholic school listed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, or an authorised international school.
• Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI and Saskatchewan: mostly the best 5 Grade 12 subjects, all at 73.33.

5. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT 87 (listening 19, reading 19, writing 21, speaking 19); PTE Academic 64 with 60 in each band.
• UQ also accepts its Bridging English (BE) program at overall grade 4 with C in all skills, or CES 176 overall and 169 in each band; OET is not accepted. UQ says there are other ways to meet the requirement; see the English requirements page.

6. How to apply and timeline (2027 entry)

• Senior schooling outside Australia: apply directly through UQ applications or through an approved UQ agent; applicants from some countries must use an agent, and the system will tell you. The application fee is A$150, non-refundable.
• Closing dates: 30 November 2026 for Semester 1 and 31 May 2027 for Semester 2; some programs differ, as shown on the program page. Late applications may be considered but are not guaranteed.
• Currently completing Australian Year 12 (in Australia or overseas) or the IB in Australia: apply through QTAC (code 711203). For Semester 1 2027, QTAC opens on 4 August 2026 and the major offer round closes on 7 December 2026.
• UQ recommends applying early to leave time for your student visa; you can add up to 2 other preferences on your application.

7. Transfer students

• If you have completed two years of full-time tertiary study, you are assessed on that study (see UQ’s undergraduate entry requirements).
• Credit is assessed when you apply. To be assessed for credit, you must select a specific major on your application; you can check the credit eligibility page first.

8. Fees and scholarships

• 2027 international fee: about A$52,528 a year (16 units), varying with your courses and study load; fees are reviewed each year and may rise. Consumables cost about A$100–200, and courses with field trips may add transport, accommodation and food costs.
• Domestic students: the program page shows an indicative 2026 fee of about A$12,025 a year; 2027 fees are not yet published.
• UQ International Excellence Scholarship: 25% off tuition, with no separate application; applicants are assessed automatically and compete on merit with others offered a place for the same intake. Eligible programs are listed in the terms. The program page notes that scholarships are available for this degree.

Application checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 75%, or A-Level 10, IB 32, AP 13, SAT 1170
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band); no portfolio listed in the entry requirements
• For February 2027, apply directly to UQ by 30 November 2026; A$150 fee

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

• BC: Language Arts 12 plus best 3 Grade 12 subjects averaging 73.33, with a pass in English 12 or English Studies 12
• Apply directly to UQ; Semester 1 closes on 30 November

Transfer students:

• Two years of university study are assessed on that study; choose a major and apply for credit at the same time

Sources: The University of Queensland, Bachelor of Design; Submit your application; Undergraduate entry requirements; English language requirements; Credit eligibility; UQ International Excellence Scholarship. Information is for 2027 entry; country equivalents are the Semester 1 2027 requirements shown on the program page, and entry scores are from the Semester 1 2026 intake. Check UQ for the latest details.