Australia’s first dedicated master's degree of its kind
Degree designed to meet job growth projections
Practical learning with industry style briefs
Why choose Deakin
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.
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Top-ranked
Study in Melbourne with a university ranked #1 in the state of Victoria for computing and information systems graduate employment – 92.9% of postgraduates found work within four months.
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Australian first
Australia’s first dedicated masters degree in AI for design and creative practice is built for practice using AI with judgement and care.
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Practical learning for every student
Industry briefs and collaborative studios are built in. You can also pursue internships, placements or partnerships with creative, technology and cultural organisations.
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Research that stays current
World-leading AI research directly informs classroom teaching to help keep your learning current, practical and connected to emerging practice.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Combine creative expertise with responsible AI practice to pursue leadership and specialist roles across design, media and technology. Shape creative systems, digital experiences and innovation strategies.
Design lead
A design lead is responsible for leading the creative direction of design projects. Projects include designing new services that solve problems for users or improving websites so they are more user-friendly.
- $135k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 2,061
Jobs advertised
Innovation manager
Identify opportunities for new products, services and ways of working. Lead research, design thinking and stakeholder collaboration to develop and implement responsible AI-enabled innovation.
- $140k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 3,681
Jobs advertised
Other roles for graduates include:
- AI governance adviser
- Digital design director
- Creative research lead
- Virtual production lead
- Digital strategy manager
“The question is not whether change is coming, but how you are positioned to shape it. Together, we are marking the path for artists, designers, researchers and all types of creatives to guide, refine and direct machine outputs to human endeavour.”
Course director
Stories that start here
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
Roles blending AI and creative direction include AI-assisted brand designer, generative content strategist, computational design lead, creative technologist, AI art director and experience designer. Industries actively hiring for this intersection include advertising, fashion, entertainment, gaming, architecture, UX and digital media. Deakin's Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice prepares graduates for precisely these emerging career profiles.
AI is reshaping creative industries at speed, from generative image and video tools to AI-powered design systems and personalised content at scale. Creative professionals who understand how to direct, evaluate and integrate AI tools are positioned to lead rather than be displaced. Deakin's Master of AI for Design and Creative Practice gives practitioners the critical and technical AI literacy to stay at the forefront of their field.
AI is transforming graphic design by automating repetitive tasks, generating visual concepts and enabling designers to iterate faster than ever before. This degree prepares you to work with generative AI tools in purposeful and ethical ways, combining AI capability with human creative judgement. AI is reshaping roles by creating demand for professionals who can guide, evaluate and responsibly integrate AI into creative workflows.
Yes. The course may be completed in one year (8 credit points) if you meet the relevant admission and recognition of prior learning (RPL) requirements. Otherwise, the standard course duration is two years (16 credit points). International students should check their eligibility and any visa or study-load requirements
*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.
What will I study in the Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice?
Over two years full time, build practical capability, ethical judgement and industry awareness. Tailor part of your study through electives and work-integrated learning.
Build your foundations
Build AI literacy and judgement
Learn how generative AI works in creative contexts, where it helps and how to use it with clear ethical and professional judgement.
Work across design and media contexts
Connect digital design, creative production and online culture. Understand how AI shapes ideas, audiences and workflows in practice.
Learn by doing
Experiment, get feedback and build confidence through guided workshops, collaborative studios and industry-informed briefs.
Apply, research and graduate
Shape the course around your goals
Elective study gives you room to broaden your technical or industry-facing capabilities.
Apply AI in professional settings
Industry-informed projects and optional work-integrated learning connect you to industry.
Complete a capstone project
Bring everything together in an advanced research project or thesis.
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.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
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 units from ONE specialisation/discipline within the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts or Master of Film and Television.
Electives are to be chosen from units within the specialisations/disciplines of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts or Master of Film and Television.
Course electives may be used to form a specialisation/discipline by selecting 4 credit points from the ONE specialisation/discipline.
The internship unit ACC700 is also available.
Please Note: Course elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
What to expect while studying
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 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.
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.
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.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
From 2027 this course will offer Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 intakes
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| 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
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$40,800
for 1 yr full-time AUD
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.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
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.
Scholarships
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.
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.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
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.