If you are applying for any Billy Blue degree or diploma, and did not meet the Academic Entry Requirements you may be asked to submit a design portfolio (Special Entry) of 6-10 pieces of original creative work, at the request of a Billy Blue Course and Career Advisor. This can be work you’ve produced already for school, for prior study, for work, or as a personal creative project. See below for some portfolio guidelines.
| Suggested portfolio pieces | What we expect |
| Hand drawings (e.g. pencil, pen, pastel) |
All hand drawn submissions should indicate your ability to observe and draw in a range of styles, to convey light and shade, volume, texture and perspective. Extra information for Digital Media applicants:
Extra information for Branded Fashion applicants:
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| Other artworks (including but not limited to paintings, collages, sculpture) |
All other artwork, paintings, collages, sculptures etc should provide evidence of your creativity and skill in image-making and/or object-making.
Extra information for Branded Fashion applicants:
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| Photographs | These can be black and white or colour and must show your ability to capture a theme, or mood. The photographs can have a narrative or abstract subject composition however they should have a high level of aesthetics. A small paragraph should be written explaining the narrative, the mood and/or the process. In addition something needs to be said about the framing and the reason for the image. |
| Digital graphic design work (including but not limited to posters, flyers, invitations, business cards) |
This includes computer-generated graphic design work, with a variety of content, incorporating text/typography along with image elements. Include a small paragraph about the software used in the development of the image and the reasons for your choice of typographic approach, composition/arrangement, choice of images and use of colour. |
| Any additional material (including experimental and/or unfinished ‘work-in-progress’) |
This includes any other creative work that provides evidence of your creativity and skill. Remember that unfinished work-in-progress can still represent your ability to generate creative ideas – so, while your portfolio should certainly include some finished work, not everything you include has to be finished.
Extra information for Digital Media applicants:
Extra information for Branded Fashion applicants:
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You don’t need to have absolutely every type of work that we’ve listed represented in your portfolio. But showing a range of styles and skills is good. Whatever you include, be prepared to talk about the thought-process and influences that have played a part in shaping your work, as well as the skills and techniques you used, and what you learnt from the creative process.
And just so you know, here is the specific criteria we consider when we assess your portfolio for entry:
If your portfolio is assessed as not meeting the criteria, from our perspective that simply means it’s not there yet. We will advise you on what you can do to improve your portfolio, and once you’ve worked on it, we would encourage you to reapply. We may also recommend that you look at taking the 13 week Certificate III in Design Fundamentals, as this one-trimester course has been designed specifically to help students get their entry portfolio up to scratch. Plus, while you’re working on your portfolio you get a first-hand taste of life as a Billy Blue student.
If you are asked to attend an interview as part of your application, don’t be worried! We try to meet with everyone who applies for our courses and we simply want to know more about you. Your interview is an opportunity to talk about and explain your portfolio work. Be prepared for questions - but also come along with questions for us! (You can interview us at the same time.) We want to make sure you leave the session with all of your course questions answered, and feeling like you’ve found the right study-fit for your career goals.
Just as with the portfolio, we have some specific criteria that we consider when we meet you for an interview. There are no surprises or trick questions! Here is what we are looking for:
You will need to demonstrate most or all of the following criteria in your interview.
| Our criteria | Signs we look for | Examples from you |
| Preparation | Prior educational experience / ability to commit to study |
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| Expectation | Relevance of the course to student’s desired outcome or career goal |
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| Experience | Existing knowledge of or interest in the area of study |
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| Communication | Communication skills, including ability to navigate the technical environment |
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After your interview, if we don’t think you’ve provided enough evidence of adequate preparation, experience and communication, we’ll tell you. We might then ask you to provide additional information, and/or maybe to do a little more preparation and then come back for another go. If you’ve got the talent, we’re on your side, and we want to help and guide you towards the best study pathway for your needs.
If you have previously studied or worked in the design industry, you may be eligible to receive a subject exemption that can potentially shorten the length of your Billy Blue degree. Read more about recognition of prior learning.
Billy Blue College of Design has recognised pathways to help you gain entry into our Bachelor Degrees based on the criteria you are able to meet. Explore your pathway options
If you have met the ATAR (or equivalent) entry requirement for the course, you do not need to submit a design portfolio.
If you cannot meet the ATAR requirement and do not have a portfolio, you will then need to show evidence of undertaking prior industry/work experience OR have completed or partially completed study from an accredited institution to gain entry into the course. Please contact one of our Course and Career Advisors for more information on 1300 851 245.
We offer several entrance pathway options for students who have not completed a High School Certificate or equivalent. For some courses entry can be achieved by undertaking a Diploma course first (pathway criteria applies), and on successful completion of the Diploma you can then credit this study towards completion of a degree. For other courses we have created pathways with one of our partners - CATC Design School. CATC is a successful vocational sector design school where students graduate with excellent hands-on, industry relevant skills. Mature aged students (aged 21 or over) are also welcome to apply directly to Billy Blue based on work experience and an existing portfolio. Read more about recognition of prior learning. For more information on the CATC Design School pathway or about applying directly please ask a Course and Careers Adviser.
Visit our Portfolio Requirements section for guidance on what to include in your application portfolio.
If you are an eligible Australian student fee-help is available for all Bachelor Degrees so you can defer your fees and pay later. International students need to pay each trimester in full before it starts. Learn more about fees here. The only course that fee-help is not available for is the Certificate III in Design Fundamentals. Students need to pay for this one-trimester course in full before it starts.
Yes, most definitely! Up to 85% of our graduates end up working in the design and creative industries. While you are studying you will get the chance to gain real work experience, and when you graduate you will have a professional portfolio and be prepared for the workforce. We also have a graduation exhibition that is well attended by top professionals in the design and creative industries. In fact, students have been known to get a call from a prospective employer within weeks of the graduate exhibition.
Billy Blue College of Design courses are delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd, ABN 99 154 937 005, RTO 41343, CRICOS 03389E. | Privacy Policy
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