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
Develop the skills to understand, evaluate and apply generative artificial intelligence (AI) in creative professional contexts with Deakin’s two-year Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice. Australia’s first dedicated master's degree in AI for design and creative practice, helps you build the skills to stay ahead without losing your creative voice. Designed for ambitious creatives looking to responsibly integrate and enhance AI into creative workflows.
Explore how AI is developed, how it can support and challenge creative work, and the ethical, social and professional responsibilities that come with its use. Learn through collaborative studio practice and in ethical labs, guided by industry-informed briefs. Test ideas, prototype responsibly and combine AI capability with human creative judgement. Tailor your study through electives, optional work-integrated learning and a research capstone, graduating ready to contribute across design, media and other creative practice settings.
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
2027 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 your first study period
- 4 credit points Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice Discipline Core
- 4 credit points of electives from the specialisation or discipline core units from Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Film and Television
- 4 credit points of research units
- any remaining credit points can be chosen from course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice Discipline Core
Choose 4 credit points of electives from across the specialisation/discipline units available within the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Film and Television.
Electives are to be chosen from units within the specialisations or discipline core units within the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Film and Television or Master of Fine Arts.
The internship unit ACC700 is also available.
Please Note: Course elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
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)
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
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
$40,800for 1 yr full-time AUD
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
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.
Deakin alumni discount
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
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
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.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Use genAI to develop innovative and creative solutions to authentic and real-world problems endemic to design and creative practice. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
