--- url: /student-handbook/courses/ title: "Courses | Student Handbook | The Graphic Design School" template: handbook-page priority: 3 wordCount: 2369 lastModified: 2026-05-22T23:31:53.523Z category: courses site: "The Graphic Design School" tokenCount: 1314 --- # Courses | Student Handbook | The Graphic Design School > Overview of design course options at The Graphic Design School, highlighting a nationally recognised Cert IV plus shorter skill courses and support resources. **Keywords:** CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design, Graphic Design School, Design Career, Nationally recognised qualification, Design@Work Course, Design for Social Media Course, Intensive Foundation Course, Design skills courses, Portfolio development, Government-accredited qualification, Pathways to further study, Austudy eligible, Course modules, Typography fundamentals, Visual communication CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design (Full Qualification) [object Object] Intensive Foundation Course (IFC) [object Object] CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design (Upgrade Option) [object Object] Design@Work Course [object Object] Design for Social Media Course [object Object] Course Comparison Table [object Object] How Assessments Work [object Object] Still Deciding? [object Object] Courses Choose Your Path to a Design Career We offer multiple course options—from nationally recognised qualifications to fast-track skills courses. Here's everything you need to choose the right path for your design career. CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design (Full Qualification) The nationally recognised qualification that opens doors across Australia. Why Choose This Course? Nationally recognised: Employers and industry groups trust this government-accredited qualification Pathways to further study: Use it toward Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, or Bachelor degrees Austudy eligible: Apply for government financial support while you study Portfolio + credentials: Graduate with both a professional portfolio AND formal qualification You don’t need to choose between skills and credentials—this course gives you both. Course Structure 12 modules designed to take you from beginner to job-ready designer: Introduction to Graphic Design — Foundations of design thinking and visual communication Design Basics — Elements and principles that make design work Introduction to Typography — Type fundamentals and hierarchy Colour — Colour theory, psychology, and practical application Advanced Typography — Pairing fonts, type systems, and advanced techniques Photography — Capturing and manipulating images for design work Logotype Design — Creating memorable brand identities Design Systems — Building cohesive visual systems and style guides Layout Design — Page composition, grids, and multi-page documents Design Systems II — Advanced identity work and brand applications Preparing Your Portfolio — Curating and presenting your best work Advanced Portfolio Refinement & Job Readiness — Polish, resume, cover letters, industry prep Key Details Duration: 15 months access (self-paced) Study time: Approx. 750 hours total (complete in 32 weeks full-time, or spread across 15 months part-time) Study mode: 100% online, work at your own pace Prerequisites: None—no prior design experience required Certificate issued: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design (nationally recognised under AQF) Assessments All assessments are practical, hands-on projects that build your portfolio: Software applications (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) Design generation skills (sketching, concept development, refinement) Typography, colour, logos, branding, identity systems Layout and page design Portfolio building and career preparation Every assessment you complete becomes part of your final portfolio. You’ll graduate with a body of work ready to show employers. Units of Competency The Certificate IV in Design consists of 15 Units of Competency—the building blocks of your qualification. All 12 modules map back to these units. Core Units (7): BSBCRT411: Apply critical thinking to work practices CUADES305: Source and apply information on the history and theory of design CUADES411: Generate design solutions CUADES412: Interpret and respond to a design brief CUAWHS312: Apply work health and safety practices CUAACD411: Integrate colour theory and design processes CUAPPR411: Realise a creative project Elective Units (8): CUADES301: Explore the use of colour CUADES302: Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms CUADES303: Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms CUADES304: Source and apply design industry knowledge CUAGRD312: Use typography techniques CUAGRD411: Research and apply graphic design techniques CUAPHI411: Capture images in response to a brief CUAPHI403: Enhance, manipulate and output photo images What are Units of Competency? They’re the national standards that define what you need to know and do to be competent in the design industry. When you complete all 15, you earn your qualification. Who Is This For? Choose Certificate IV (Full Qualification) if: You want a nationally recognised qualification from day one You’re eligible for Austudy (government financial support for students) You plan to continue to Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or university later You want maximum credibility with employers (formal credentials matter to you) Intensive Foundation Course (IFC) Build a killer portfolio without the qualification price tag. Why Choose This Course? Lower cost: No government accreditation means lower tuition Same skills: Learn the exact same design skills as Certificate IV students (11 of the 12 modules) Portfolio focused: Graduate with job-ready work—the graphic design industry values portfolios above all else Upgrade option: Change your mind later? Upgrade to Certificate IV within 6 months of finishing The design industry hires based on portfolio quality, not credentials. If you don’t need formal qualifications, this course gets you job-ready faster and cheaper. Course Structure 11 modules: Introduction to Graphic Design Design Basics Introduction to Typography Colour Advanced Typography Photography Logotype Design Design Systems Layout Design Design Systems II Preparing Your Portfolio These are modules 1-11 from the Certificate IV—same content, same quality, just without the final accreditation module. Key Details Detail Information Duration 12 months access (self-paced) Study time Approx. 700 hours total Study mode 100% online, work at your own pace Prerequisites None Certificate issued Certificate of Completion (not nationally accredited) Assessments Practical activities covering: Software applications (Adobe Creative Cloud) Typography, colour, logos, branding Identity systems and layout Design communication skills All assessments contribute to your final portfolio.