LCAD is Australia's leading Visual Art & Design College

Australia's leading Visual Art & Design College

Visual Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, Game Art & Animation

Graphic Design Photography Visual Art Our History Our Values & Beliefs Our Facilities Subjects Game Art & Animation

Graphic Design Photography Visual Art Our History Our Values & Beliefs Our Facilities Subjects Game Art & Animation

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LCAD offers a comprehensive and flexible CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design centred around producing creative thinkers who have skills in both digital and print design. Our teaching staff are experienced, practicing designers in their fields and offer industry-based insights and an innovative approach to the creative process in design.

The CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design is suitable for students of all levels of experience with support tailored accordingly. Students vary from those interested in gaining additional design skills to support their visual art practice, to those seeking to forge a career in graphic design. Project-based learning has been designed to mirror industry practice and give students exposure to consultation processes and a broad range of practical skills. VET Student Loans are available for eligible students.

Course
Diploma of Graphic Design

Course Code
CUA50720

Course Overview

Code
CUA50720
Duration
1 Year
Intake
3 intakes per year. February, June and September
Timetable
Full time study load is three days per week. Part-time and single subject enrolment are also availab
Enrolment Deadline
Check availability if term start is within 4 wks.
Prerequistes
No formal prerequisites. Students to show they have an awarenes of digital processes and using typography.
Location
Collingwood, Melbourne
Who Can Apply?
Year 12 & non-year 12, mature age students, local and international students
Course Brochure
Distance From CBD
2.5km

Course Outline

This nationally recognised CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design provides students with an understanding of fundamental design practices including concept development, typography, layout design, imaging and graphics, photography, packaging and publication design, drawing, web design and digital and moving image.

Career
Pathways

Career opportunities include advertising agencies, design studios, freelance work, publishing houses and pre-press/press firms. Students looking to go onto further university level study can receive credit from this Diploma. 

Requirements

There are no specific requirements of entry for this course. New or inexperienced students are welcome as are those currently working within the industry. All prospective students are invited to attend the college to view the studio facilities and to discuss their application. It is recommended that prospective students bring with them a folio or examples of their artwork or details of other past experience so that LCAD can determine that a course is the correct fit.

Study units

The Diploma of Graphic Design is a one-year intensive program where students learn a wide range of practical and theoretical skills in imaging and digital and print design:

The Diploma of Graphic Design (15 units)
Graphics & Layout
Communication Design Graphics
Communication Design Typography
Design Theory & Practice
Publishing & Packaging W
Publishing & Packaging S
Concept Development
Branding & Identity
Web Design
Drawing & Mixed Media
Image Capture
Seeing Colour 
Descriptive & Emotive Lighting
Digital & Moving Image W
Digital & Moving Image S
Please discuss your elective options with the college. 

Course Details

Fees & Costs

Year Enrolment

$18,000

Full-time is 3 days per week contact. There is a total of 15 study units. Students electing to do a reduced study load can do so if they are not an international student requiring a study visa. Fees are proportionate to the student’s study load.

The Commonwealth VET Student Loans (VSL) can cover tuition and is available for domestic students. See more details below. 

$18,000 (local)

$19,200 (international)

Term Enrolment

$6,000

Term enrolment is 12 weeks. It is comprised of 5 study units over 3 days per week contact. There are 3 terms in an entire course with optional entry dates. Students electing to do a reduced study load can do so if they are not an international student requiring a study visa. Fees are proportionate to the student’s study load.  

The Commonwealth VET Student Loans (VSL) can cover tuition and is available for domestic students. See more details below. 

$6,000

VET Student Loans
Students can use VET Student Loans to cover 100% of their tuition fees to study the Diploma of Graphic Design.

$0

VET Student Loans is a Commonwealth loan available to eligible students with Australian citizenship, a qualifying New Zealand citizen, or a permanent humanitarian visa holder, and is not means-tested.

The VSL loan is a debt to the commonwealth until it is paid. The loan has income-contingent repayment arrangements, which means you only need to make repayments if you are earning above the minimum repayment threshold. You can make voluntary repayments at any time. 

VSL will not be approved for students not meeting the college's eligibility requirements.   

Call the college on 03 9495 6622 or go to www.dewr.gov.au/vet-student-loans for more details.



FAQ's

How long are the Diplomas?

All our Diplomas are one year long, and the Advanced Diploma is two years (the Advanced Diploma is 1 year after completing the Diploma).

Can I undertake the Advanced Diploma after completing the Diploma?

Yes, the Advanced Diploma is one more year which can be automatically entered in to once the Diploma (or a Diploma from another college) has been completed.

How do I enrol?

Go to the courses section of www.latrobecollege.edu.au and make a course application or enrol directly into a single subject. Course applicants will be contacted by phone or email. Those enrolling in a single subject will be sent an Enrolment Form.

When should I apply?

At any time. There are three entry dates per year: February, June, and September.

What date does my application need to be submitted?

Application deadlines are normally one month before studies start. However, some places may still be available after the deadline, so it is worth enquiring.

Do I need to present a folio to apply?

The college would like to see a folio or examples of artwork, design or photography that the applicant might have. Seeing examples of creative work helps the college understand more the student’s interests.

Do I need previous experience to study here?

Students with experience and those with very little can study at Latrobe College.

Is it a requirement to complete a Certificate IV before entering the Diploma?

No.

What do I need to apply for a course?

1. Your Application Form

2. Examples of your creative work whether that be a folio, or examples of paintings, drawing, photographs, designs, digital work or anything else. Other experience, not necessarily related to their field of study, is also of value. The college is also interested in talking to students who have very little to show. The college would like to know what interests the student has, or kinds of experience they may have had.

3. A high school certificate or higher. If a domestic student is unable to provide this then LCAD can organise a short literacy/ numeracy test.
International Students with English as a second language need to complete an English test, such as a general English iELTS and achieve a score of 5.5 or above, with no individual band less than 5.0.

4. A birth certificate or passport (domestic), or just your passport (international).

5. International Students may need a study visa and health cover (OSHC) for the period of the course.

Can LCAD help with my application?

Yes, LCAD can help those requiring assistance with their application.

What do I need to enrol in an informal subject?

Just your enrolment form.

Do you have evening classes?

Yes, a limited range of subjects are available at times during the week, 6-8:45pm.

Can I do a subject just for fun?

Yes, students can enrol informally in a subject for interest only. They will follow the same program as other students but they will not receive a formal assessment.

When are course fees due?

All students are required to pay a deposit when they enrol unless they are using VET Student Loans (domestic students) for some courses. The balance of term fees, or the first term instalment, is due at Orientation or by the first week of classes.

Do you provide a scholarship program?

At this stage scholarships are not available.

Are your Diplomas equivalent to Diplomas offered at other colleges?

Yes, most VET approved Diplomas in Australia are equivalent to each other.

What is full-time study?

Full-time study is generally 3 days per week.

What is part-time study?

Part-time is reduced full-time study load which can depend on subjects enrolled in. It may be 1 to 2 days per week.

What are the hours?

Subjects within a course will normally occur one session per week, per term. Morning timetables sessions are generally 10am-12:45pm. Afternoon sessions are 2-4:45pm, and evenings, if available, are 6-8:45pm.
An example of a course load for visual art is Monday to Wednesday. For Graphic Design it is normally Wednesday to Friday.

What kind of additional expenses are associated with this course?

Visual Art – materials may be between $250-$280
Design and Photography – material needs will be around $100. Outside printing may be required. A DSLR Camera with video function is recommended (but not compulsory). Students wishing to use their own computer (rather than college’s computers) will need to obtain student Adobe Creative Cloud software, from Adobe, which can be around $20-25 per month.

Do I get my own studio space?

Students are given their own studio space in the Advanced Diploma.

Can International Students undertake courses at this college?

Yes, international students are approved to study here, and can obtain a student visa.

Are the courses delivered in English?

Yes.

Can I qualify for a VET Student Loan?

To qualify for a loan, applicants need to have Australian citizenship, or be a special category New Zealand visa holder, or be a permanent humanitarian visa holder. Study loans are capped for all students. For further information go to https://www.studyassist.gov.au/vet-students/vet-student-loans.

How do I apply for the loan?

The VSL is applied for through the college. You will need your passport or birth certificate, tax file number, USI number, and year 12 certificate or above. There are alternatives if the student does not have year 12 or cannot find their certificate.

Will VET Student Loan cover all my tuition?

VSL will cover 100% of the student's tuition other than a materials cost of approximately $100-200 at the beginning of the course.

How does VET Student Loans work?

The VET Student Loan is a commonwealth interest free loan repaid to the government gradually. An additional 1% is added to their tax rate once the student is earning $51,550 per annum (2023) or above. The 1% tax rate gradually rises when their salary increases. For more information please go to www.studyassist.gov.au. 

What kind of recognition do I get for completing this course?

One year full-time or part-time equivalent will lead to a nationally recognised Diploma qualification. Two years full-time is an Advanced Diploma.

Will this also help me get into university?

Yes, Latrobe College has a long successful history of most of its students gaining entry into their 1st preference university course after completing their LCAD program.

Course Planner
Course Class Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Graphic Design 10:00am - 12:45pm Image Capture A2 Graphics & Layout A2
2:00pm - 4:45pm Descriptive & Emotive Lighting A1 Communication Design (Graphics) A Drawing & Mixed Media A3

*Please note that the above planner is subject to change without notice and all students should confirm final subject or course information directly with LCAD prior to enrolment or application.

Course Class Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Graphic Design 10:00am - 12:45pm Concept Development W Seeing Colour Communication Design (Typography) W
2:00pm - 4:45pm Digital Moving Image W3 Publishing & Packaging W

*Please note that the above planner is subject to change without notice and all students should confirm final subject or course information directly with LCAD prior to enrolment or application.

Course Class Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Graphic Design 10:00am - 12:45pm Digital Moving Image S3 Web Design Branding & Identity S
2:00pm - 4:45pm Design Theory & Practice Publishing & Packaging S

*Please note that the above planner is subject to change without notice and all students should confirm final subject or course information directly with LCAD prior to enrolment or application.

Apply Now

The following application form is for students wanting to study one of our Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in Visual Art, Graphic Design and Photography. The application form is composed in two parts and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete if you have all of the information at hand. Following submission one of our friendly staff will contact you to discuss your application and next steps. Please note that application closing dates are one month before trimester starts. Need help with your application? Contact is on the link provided.

Contact Us

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