Overview 2021
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
Location
- What is an ATAR
- CRICOS: 098158A
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For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
Turning a passion for design into a physical reality
Thom Port’s Tassie-made furniture creations have featured in business from Hobart's cafe scene to one of Tasmania’s leading boutique hotels.
Designers shape the world we live in; creating the products, environments, services and experiences that tackle a wide range of global challenges.
This exciting new degree offers you the skills, knowledge and experience to meet these challenges head on, through a wide variety of design mediums. A foundation of design thinking teaches you the language and processes of design; the conceptual, experimental and critical skills vital for any design. career.
This is combined with extensive design studio and design practice experiences throughout your degree. Each design studio focuses on a unique real-world problem where you develop, test, refine and apply your design skills using a range of technologies and techniques in collaboration with internationally renowned designers and local community and industry partners.
The highly flexible degree also allows you to customise your learning with a choice of specialised skills across Business Design, Digital Design, Object Design, Spatial Design, and Communication Design.
These experiences will lead to you to become a flexible, adaptive designer, ready to meet the challenges of the ever-evolving design industry, in whatever direction your passion takes you.
Catalyst Program
Are you a high achiever and want to get the most out of your University experience? The Catalyst Program combines your Bachelor degree with scholarships, extracurricular experiences, special events, and networking opportunities. It was created for outstanding students, just like you. Learn more about the Catalyst Program
Course objectives
The multi-disciplinary Bachelor of Design enables you to develop a diverse and adaptable design skill set, and become a design leader in framing and tackling global challenges in a wide range of contexts. Graduates of the Bachelor of Design have the skills, knowledge and experience to step into roles in both established and emerging creative industries, or pursue their own entrepreneurial activities.
This core knowledge crosses industries and technical skillsets, and enables you to adapt to the ever-evolving design industry. Combined with the significant industry experience, networking opportunities, and range of technical skills you can choose from, you can be prepared to apply your design skills and creative knowledge wherever your interests take you.
Learning Outcomes
LO1 Evaluate and apply concepts, principles, theories, and practices of the discipline of design to develop, interpret and communicate ideas and information.
LO2 Position and justify design propositions in relation to disciplinary and extra-disciplinary knowledge through research, critical analysis and synthesis of information.
LO3 Generate and refine design propositions through iterative processes of speculation and experimentation employing a range of techniques and material explorations.
LO4 Communicate and co-create with diverse audiences and participants by evaluating and applying techniques in design communication and in negotiation, collaboration and critique.
LO5 Engage in ethical and professional conduct by anticipating and inter-relating the social and environmental implications of design practices.
Practical experience
Industry leading facilities and technology
Our buildings are part of your creative journey, with award-winning and inspiring environments located in the heart of Tasmania’s cultural precincts at Hobart’s former IXL jam factory in Hunter Street, and Launceston’s historic Western Railway Yard at Inveresk.
Flexible studios and teaching spaces offer creative environments for interactive learning, while state-of the-art workshops are equipped with a full spectrum of manufacturing technologies ranging from traditional fabrication equipment, kilns and printing presses to Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, and a Kuka 6-axis industrial robotic arm.
Our computer labs comprise dedicated Mac and Windows PCs, and include a wide range of industry standard software for graphic design, digital fabrication and Augmented and Virtual Reality, including Rhino 6 3D, Fologram, ArchiCAD, Revit, and the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Students are supported to fast track their digital design skills at their own pace with hundreds of online, e-learning tutorials provided through our Institute of Digital Design Australia subscription.
Inspiring environments for learning and practice
Your learning environment extends well beyond the classroom, and encompasses the wonderful state of Tasmania itself. Environmental and social sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and so you can draw on and be inspired by our World Heritage landscapes, and unique, multi-skilled and accessible creative industry sector that embraces our island state. All facilitated by our collective teaching expertise across the disciplines of Architecture, Design, Fine Art, ICT, and Business.
Become a Student Ambassador
Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities. Though the Student Ambassador Program or STEM Outreach Team you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.
Overseas study experiences
Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
Find out more about Student Exchange.
Work placement
Work-integrated learning is embedded throughout your studies
From engaging directly with leading designers, industry and communities in the design studio, to placements in a wide range of industries on the ‘Design Island’ of Tasmania. Some of our existing and recent partnerships include the MONA FOMA festival, Junction Festival, and Parks and Wildlife Tasmania, as well as local governments, education departments and not-for-profit organisations.
Our staff are heavily integrated throughout the vibrant and dynamic Tasmanian creative sector and beyond, offering you opportunities to gain exposure to a diversity of genuine work integrated learning opportunities.
Career outcomes
A passion for design
"Launceston has a small community, but it is an enlightened and creative town, which is really great." said Kath
The world is constantly evolving, with designers always pushing the boundaries of what is known, and finding creative solutions to complex problems across a range of industries and contexts.
Design prepares you a wide range of future careers in this ever-changing work environment. This means your career opportunities are vast, including within industries that didn’t exist when you started your degree!
When you graduate, you will be able to launch your career in both established and emerging creative industries such as:
- exhibition design and event design
- graphic and interpretation design
- furniture and wearables design,
- digital media design, interaction design and user experience design
- co-design, service design, and design management.
In addition to a world of design industries, the degree also offers opportunities for diverse career paths in future industries such as design for health, food innovation, eco-tourism, social enterprise, and future trend forecasting (design futurist).
Apply today, and chart your own adventure as an agent of change!
Postgraduate study
If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the course list by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.
Course structure
The Bachelor of Design requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:
- 100 credit point Major - Design Practices with five streams: Business, Communication Design, Digital Design, Object Design, and Spatial Design.
- 100 credit points of Core units
- 100 credit points of Elective units
In the Elective component you can choose from any units marked as "Student Electives" which you meet the pre-requisites for, at any level, from across the university. To search for possible Elective units, use the Unit Search tool to search by the discipline that you are interested in.
Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from within or outside the College of Sciences and Engineering. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline as your major or related fields.
You can also use this space to complete an optional second major which may be a second major chosen from another course noting some exclusions apply. Not all majors can be taken by students in different courses.
We have a team of Course Information Officers available to help you structure your studies to meet your desired outcomes. For enrolment assistance please contact us via U Connect today.
Major
Design Practices
Years 1 and 2
Units selected according to your chosen design stream: Business, Communication, Digital, Objects or Spatial.
Communication Design Stream
In this unit, you will examine branding and visual identity – the use of conceptual and visual signs to embody, evoke and represent the qualities, meaning or ‘narrative’ of a product or service to a particular group of people, customers…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit, you will explore differences and intersections between virtual/conceptual and physical/experiential fields of design. Through practical fieldwork, you will consider human interactions with public and private spaces, objects, and buildings and architecture in the physical world, and compare…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit introduces digital design applications for image making in both vector and raster formats. It explores the diverse nature of digital media tools available and the specific areas of the creative industries they service. Although the output may be…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit will introduce you to the techniques of drawing and printmaking as processes of enquiry and creation. You will learn about the technical and material possibilities of both mediums and how to use a studio as both a site…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Photography 1 will introduce you to the medium of photography. Directed by staff and technicians, in the context of a studio/workshop/tutorial curriculum, you will be introduced to traditional techniques, new technologies and approaches to contemporary practice.Study of this unit will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Business Design Stream
This unit investigates events of varying scale, and identifies their contribution as a potential key driver of growth and economic development of businesses, cities and communities. It analyses the social, cultural and environmental impacts of events on destinations and communities.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
The best thing about working in the creative industries is that you can always create work for yourself. This unit introduces you to entrepreneurial opportunities and gives you the theory behind pricing, promoting and pitching your goods and services. We…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
In this unit you will investigate approaches to design and delivery of projects in industry contexts. This will include identifying and analysing relevant concepts, tools and processes used in the formulation, delivery and management of projects. Investigations will focus on…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
This capstone unit will provide opportunities for you to bring together the knowledge learned, and skills developed through your course of study and apply these to entrepreneurial and innovative contexts. This unit creates a practical awareness of the concepts of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAA234 Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking
Digital Design Stream
User Experience (UX) design seeks to improve the usability, accessibility, and pleasure a product or service provides by identifying the specific points of interaction. By adjusting these points, data can be captured, and improvements measured and replicated. Once you learn…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit introduces key design concepts and components of internet and web technologies. You will learn the fundamentals of web languages, including HTML and CSS, design processes and how to apply user experience and interface design practices. Weekly modules will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit introduces digital design applications for image making in both vector and raster formats. It explores the diverse nature of digital media tools available and the specific areas of the creative industries they service. Although the output may be…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit introduces ethical hacking and penetration testing techniques. You will learn to evaluate industry-based ethical dilemmas, undertake investigative tasks, and perform active and passive cyber-attacks. Participation in tutorial-based security challenges will help further develop skills in vulnerability analysis and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
Object Design Stream
Introduction to studio design and making. This unit sets the foundations for designing and making objects in a world of rapid change. Directed by academic staff and technicians, you will design and make a cohesive collection of small-scale objects that…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit introduces you to the design and prototyping of 3D objects using digital modelling and fabrication techniques. Through hands-on exercises, you will gain knowledge of contemporary additive and subtractive rapid prototyping technologies and develop skills in object design and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit provides further development in object and furniture design. It reflects a commitment to craft skills necessary for contemporary maker-designers while also exploring the role of design as a critical practice and way of thinking within a world already…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
The surface and combining digital fabrication. This unit explores the notion of surface. Intersecting individual studio practice with digital fabrication, students respond to critical design brief/s focused on a world in rapid transformation. Students will be equipped with experimental approaches…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Spatial Design Stream
Bachelor of Architecture & Built Environments Architecture Studio units focus on the development and refinement of conceptual, analytical and technical skills through applied problem-based learning in a diverse range of real-world contexts. In first year, Studios focus on establishing foundational…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments Architecture Technology units focus on establishing key concepts and principles related to the physical facts of architecture and human experience of these facts. At Introductory level, these units provide foundational knowledge and skills in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KDA139 Architecture Technology: Materials and Making
Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments Architecture Theory units focus on establishing and enhancing students’ capacity to think with clarity and rigour to ensure solid bases for research inquiry and design practice. At Intermediate level, these units provide foundational understandings…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KDA235 Architecture Theory: Built Environments
Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments Architecture Technology units focus on establishing key concepts and principles related to the physical facts of architecture and human experience of these facts. At Intermediate level, these units develop focused knowledge and skills at…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KDA243 Architecture Technology: Light and Sound
Year 3 (Capstone Units)
Design Futures is one of two capstone units where you will demonstrate knowledge and skills gained throughout the degree in an applied project. This unit focuses on identifying and developing plans for your future design practice or career. You will…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Interdisciplinary Design is one of two capstone units in which you will demonstrate knowledge and skills gained throughout the degree in a complex applied project. This unit focuses on contemporary interdisciplinary and critical practices, relating global ecological and social concerns…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Core
These units are compulsory for all students in the Bachelor of Design
Year 1
In this unit you will be introduced to the fundamental elements of design. You will analyse the role of points, lines, planes, surfaces, and solids in design precedents and apply these elements in the creation of your own design artefacts.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
In this unit you will learn about the relationships between design elements. Through structured activities and workshops, you will learn how to organise designs artefacts into complex compositions and assemblies. By developing an awareness of the social, material, and cultural…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit you will be introduced to a range of visual tools and techniques for conceptualising and communicating complex relationships and generating new insights through design. Through a combination of interactive, self-directed learning activities and practical exercises, you will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Design thinking’ draws on creative, iterative and collaborative approaches to problem-solving, including exploration of potential solutions though idea generation, rapid prototyping and testing. While conventional approaches to problem-solving often rely on the application of highly structured methodologies and process controls,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Year 2
This unit focuses on participatory and inclusive design practices to engage diverse audiences in the co-creation of projects. Co-design is an increasingly popular practice that is used in a wide range of contexts to foster inclusion, to identify opportunities, and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit explores the relationship between design and industry to develop skills in the planning, development, and production of products and services for a target market or use-case scenario. You will learn how to identify opportunities for new product and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
In this unit, you will be introduced to historical influences on the development of contemporary design practices. You will examine the key features of art history in the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century periods, as well as specific…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
In this unit, you will consider a range of ethical problems that are commonly encountered by design practitioners. This can include questions relating to borrowing and acknowledging the ideas and intellectual property of other designers, the impact of design activities…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Electives
You complete 8 electives (100 credit points) normally two in Year 1, two in Year 2 and four in Year 3.
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. We anticipate that the lowest ATAR that will receive an offer for this course in 2021 will be 50.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Domestic applicants with work and life experience
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Admissions and application information for international applicants, including English language requirements, is available from the International Future Students site. You can also enquire online to check your eligibility.
Credit transfer
Credit for appropriate studies completed at TAFE and/or other university courses may be granted, including the Associate Degree in Applied Design offered through the University College and collaboration with the Foundry.
You can apply for advanced standing as part of the application process, or it can be assessed independently via a separate application.
Please contact us for further information
Articulation from
This degree does not formally articulate from another degree. See Credit transfer for information on advanced standing from other qualification and experience, or Alternative entry pathways for pathway options into this degree.
Articulation to
If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the course list by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.
Alternative entry pathways
If you aren’t eligible for an offer to this course, you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies or the University Preparation Program.
In all cases, contact us to discuss an option best suited to your needs.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $93,031 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $29,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
Domestic Students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
International students
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries