Before anything else on this programme: the University of South Australia (UniSA) no longer exists as an independent, separately admitting university. It merged with the University of Adelaide to form Adelaide University, which opened on 29 January 2026. Applicants from 2027 intake onward apply to Adelaide University, not UniSA. Design sits apart from Business, Nursing, and Engineering already covered elsewhere, and it draws directly on UniSA's long-standing applied, industry-linked design heritage, now carried into the merged institution.
This article covers admission requirements, cost, English-test requirements, and career outcomes for Design at Adelaide University.
Acceptance Rate
Neither UniSA historically nor Adelaide University today publishes a single official acceptance rate. Adelaide University's published general academic entry standard, used for its standard Business and Nursing programmes, is an ATAR of 70 (or IB score of 25); a Design-specific entry standard was not independently confirmed from the pages reviewed for this article, so treat this as a reasonable reference point rather than a confirmed Design figure. Design programmes at many Australian universities also require a portfolio or folio submission; confirm directly with Adelaide University whether this applies to the specific Design programme you're applying to, since this was not confirmed in the sources checked here.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Design students pay within Adelaide University's general published international tuition range.
| Cost item | Amount (AUD/year) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate programmes (general range) | $30,000 - $45,000 |
| Living costs (Australian government minimum financial requirement) | $29,710/year |
A Design-specific tuition figure was not independently confirmed from the sources reviewed for this article; run your specific course and intake through Adelaide University's official fee calculator for an exact quote. On top of tuition, budget for the compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), and course-specific materials costs (design programmes often carry additional studio/materials fees not included in headline tuition). For the full picture, see the University of South Australia guide.
Admission Requirements
- Secondary education equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), or
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification at Certificate IV level or higher, or
- At least 6 months of full-time higher education study at a recognized institution
- Evidence of English language proficiency (see below)
- Certified transcripts, with official English translations where originals are not in English
- Non-refundable application fee (AUD $150, per Adelaide University's own published fee)
- A design portfolio or folio, if required for your specific Design programme (confirm directly, since this was not independently confirmed in this research)
How to Get Into Adelaide University's Design Programme
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Confirm you're applying to Adelaide University, not UniSA. As of 2026 intakes onward, all applications go through Adelaide University's admissions system.
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Ask directly whether your specific Design programme requires a portfolio. Design admission at many Australian universities includes a folio submission alongside academic results; confirm this requirement and its format well before your application deadline.
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Meet the published academic benchmark (ATAR 70 / IB 25, the general figure used for Business and Nursing) or use one of the alternative pathways if you don't meet it directly.
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Get transcripts certified and translated early, since document verification remains a common delay point in Australian international admissions.
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Confirm your specific degree's current status directly with Adelaide University, since the recent merger has affected course codes and some programme structures even where the broad entry standard stays consistent.
IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Requirements
Design follows Adelaide University's standard English proficiency tier, below the elevated bar the university applies to Nursing.
| Test | Standard programmes (incl. Design) |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 overall, minimum 12 per section |
| PTE Academic | 58 overall, minimum 50 per skill |
| Duolingo English Test | Not confirmed as accepted for the merged institution in the sources checked |
A note on accuracy: because Adelaide University is a newly merged institution, confirm current, merged-institution requirements directly on Adelaide University's official English Language Proficiency Requirements page before applying. For the full picture, see the University of South Australia guide.
Career Outcomes and Subclass 485 Relevance
We could not find an official, programme-specific graduate employment rate for Design at Adelaide University in the sources checked for this article. UniSA's design heritage (applied, industry-linked education) is inherited by the merged institution, and graduates typically move into roles across graphic design, UX/UI design, product design, and communication design, depending on specialization.
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate visa): graduates of eligible Adelaide University degrees can apply for Australia's Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after completing a CRICOS-registered qualification and meeting the required English level. Under the July 1, 2024 reforms, the Post-Higher Education Work stream generally grants up to 2 years for a bachelor's degree. The Genuine Student (GS) requirement, introduced March 23, 2024, also applies at the student visa stage. Always verify current settings on the Department of Home Affairs' official website, and confirm current programme details directly with Adelaide University given the ongoing institutional transition.
FAQ
Am I applying to UniSA or Adelaide University? Adelaide University. UniSA merged with the University of Adelaide and no longer admits students independently as of the 2026 intakes onward.
Does Design at Adelaide University require a portfolio? Possibly; this was not independently confirmed in this research. Confirm directly with Adelaide University for your specific Design programme.
What IELTS score do I need for Design at Adelaide University? 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0, the general undergraduate threshold, below the university's higher 7.0 bar for Nursing.
How much does Design cost at Adelaide University for international students? A Design-specific figure was not confirmed; expect it to fall within the university's general $30,000-$45,000/year international tuition range, confirmed via the official fee calculator.