Key facts
Duration
The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. See entry requirements below for more information.
Locations
Course overview
Deakin's Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice puts you at the forefront of the creative AI shift. Get ready to build the skills to understand, evaluate and apply generative AI in creative professional contexts.
This pioneering master’s, the first of its kind in Australia, is designed for ambitious creatives looking to evaluate and responsibly integrate where and how AI enhances creative workflows. Through supported hands-on learning you will apply GenAI models, prototype ethically, and iterate on ideas that integrate AI with human creative judgement across professional practice.
Deakin’s world-class research in AI feeds directly into our classrooms, ensuring what you learn reflects current industry change and emerging practice.
Job opportunities are accelerating as AI becomes embedded in everyday creative workflows and organisations increasingly value human insight with AI practice. Already, two-thirds of hiring leaders say they won’t hire creatives without AI capability. This degree ensures you’re not just employable, but in demand.
You will graduate ahead of the pack, with interdisciplinary capabilities that go beyond narrow technical skills, enabling you to engage confidently across creative and analytical contexts. You will also develop the ability to work with AI in thoughtful and transparent ways that responsibly build trust with peers, clients, and industry.
These skills open doors across creative and design-focused careers, particularly in roles that combine creative direction, systems thinking, and AI-enabled decision-making. Whether your current practice is centred in architecture and the built environment, film and media, any design disciplines or emerging hybrid creative practices, you will learn to work with AI in practical, meaningful ways applicable to professional creative workflows.
Ready to lead creative practice transparently in the age of AI?
The Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice explores where AI comes from, how it can help and challenge, and the social and professional responsibilities that accompany its use.
Core areas of study will help you master social, cultural, and intellectual property considerations of novel creative industry, such as:
- Applying GenAI in Creative Practice
- Design Strategies
- Creative use of GenAI in industry
By applying GenAI in context through authentic, industry-informed scenarios you will critically evaluate, decide, and then push the boundaries of AI in creative practice through:
- Guided workshops
- Collaborative studios
- Ethical labs
- Industry-informed briefs.
As you progress, you will test ideas, reflect on your practice and sharpen your thinking through industry and peer feedback. Along the way you will build real technical proficiency, principled reasoning, and creative confidence.
You will hear from emerging talent in industry, network, build peer communities, and learn from accomplished academics who are leaders in this emerging field. Access Deakin’s world-class, purpose-built facilities and build future-focused skills that move your career forward and push creative practice at this exciting time of change.
Optional work integrated learning opportunities include internships, placements or partnerships with creative studios, technology companies and cultural organisations – you will be making real industry connections while you study.
The course culminates in a research project or thesis, where you will investigate how AI is transforming research methods in your chosen discipline.
Graduates head into some of the most exciting roles emerging across creative and digital industries, from Creative Technology Lead, Responsible AI or Ethics Lead to Senior Digital Experience Strategist .
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- A733
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 119808E Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Why use AI to push your creative practice?
Build the skills you’ll need to stay ahead without losing your creative voice. Course director Dr Luke Heemsbergen explains how the Master of AI for Design and Creative Practice – the first of its kind in Australia - is designed to address job growth projections in creative industries.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice, you must pass 8 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 10 credit points of core units
- 4 credit points of research capstone units
- 2 credit points of course elective units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Please note the early exit of the Graduate Certificate of Artificial Intelligence is available for both the 8cp and 16cp Masters pathways.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Units
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
From 2027 the Trimester 1 intake will be available
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
New course available for intake from Trimester 2, 2026
From 2027 this course will offer Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 intakes
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast- track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Assessment
Assessment will take place at the unit level and has been designed to ensure successful attainment of all 8 Course Learning Outcomes and corresponding Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes over the duration of the course. In particular, assessment of the core units focuses the application of skills and knowledge to produce work that reflects industry practices and standards.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
This course integrates work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities to deepen students’ professional experience and enhance employability. Compulsory components include industry-informed project briefs and collaborative studio work that simulate real-world creative challenges, enabling students to apply generative AI tools within authentic contexts.
Optional WIL experiences may involve internships, placements, or partnerships with creative studios, technology companies, or cultural organizations, providing direct exposure to professional environments where students can refine their skills, expand networks, and gain industry insights.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
1 year full-time (or part- time equivalent) - 8 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with 8 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
- completion of a bachelor honours degree in a related discipline
- completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a related discipline
2 years full-time (or part- time equivalent) - 16 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline
Examples of related discipline areas include, but not limited to: Advertising, Marketing, Digital Creation, Design, Creative Arts, Film and Television.
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: Advertising, Marketing, Digital Creation, Design, Creative Arts, Film and Television.
^Recognition of prior learning into the Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate level studies.
*Recognition of prior learning will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements.)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn't have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you're able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.
You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$24,600for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Scholarship options
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you’ll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Need more information on how to apply?
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Pathways
This course aims to attract three streams of student intake.
The first is industry professionals seeking to upskill with genAI, to enable creative practitioners to take a leadership role to respond to the uncertainty as well as the opportunities presented by genAI.
The second is undergraduate students from diverse creative disciplines who are seeking to develop the knowledge and skills to be able to work innovatively with the affordances of genAI, enabling them to take positions of leadership in creative industries. These students will be required to complete the 8cp Masters program.
The final stream of students are international students who will come from varied backgrounds and be required to complete the 16cp Masters program.
Alternate exits
Career outcomes
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the creative industry. Across Australia, job ads requiring AI skills have increased more than tenfold over the past decade, with growing demand for creatives who can combine AI capability with design thinking, strategy and ethical judgement.
As a graduate, you will have the specialist knowledge to become a sought-after professional in a range of roles, including:
- AI Governance & Practice Standards Adviser
- AI-Informed Creative Director
- Creative Director (Emerging & Synthetic Media)
- Creative Research Lead
- Creative Systems Director
- Creative Technologist
- Creative Technology Lead
- Digital Design Director
- Digital Research Specialist
- Digital Strategy & Innovation Manager
- Emerging Technology & Adoption Lead
- Futures & Foresight Consultant (Creative & Cultural Sectors)
- Generative & Computational Design Lead
- Generative Pre-Production Director
- Innovation & Practice Strategy Lead
- Interactive Narrative Lead
- Narrative & Story Systems Lead
- Responsible AI & Ethics Lead (Creative Industries)
- Scenario & Strategy Adviser (Media & AI)
- Senior Digital Experience Strategist
- Virtual Production Creative Lead.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Integrate genAI ethically and responsibly to critically identify potential efficiencies and enhanced processes in alignment with the role of genAI in design and creative research and practice. |
| Communication | Communicate effectively across oral, written, and multimedia formats to inform, inspire, and influence creative decision making in the use and implementation of genAI in design and creative practice. |
| Digital literacy | Take a responsible and ethical human centred approach to source, evaluate and shape genAI use in ways that aligns with innovative best practice in design and creative industries. |
| Critical thinking | Apply critical and analytical thinking to make ethical and informed decisions that respond to the changing environment of using genAI in research, design or creative practice. |
| Problem solving | Use genAI to develop innovative and creative solutions to authentic and real-world problems endemic to design and creative practice. |
| Self-management | Develop critical insights in relation to own practice and exercise judgement in relation to planning, executing and delivering design and creative projects of a professional standard. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate effectively with others to explore the use of genAI in applied design and creative practice, including the identification of responsible and creative contribution to project outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Reflect on place, culture and history with respectful consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges and perspectives when undertaking design and creative practice. |
Approved by Faculty Board October 2026
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
