Established in 1988, Whitehouse Institute of Design is a private institution with campuses in Sydney and Melbourne. The institute offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in design with specializations such as Fashion Design, Interior Design or Creative Design and Styling. In 2020, the institute witnessed an enrollment of 240 undergraduate students and nearly 100 graduate students. Out of the total undergraduates enrolled 7% were international students pursuing further education in Australia.

Whitehouse Institute of Design accepts direct applications only and there is no application fee charged. Admissions to the institute take place on a rolling basis. The deadline for the mid-year intake is June 7, 2021. For acceptance to any program, the institute considers a combination of the applicant’s academic abilities and creative potential.

Admission to undergraduate programs is not solely dependent on ATAR or its equivalent. The Creative Portfolio and Statement of purpose are among the important documents for the evaluation process. International applicants are also required to go through a literacy assessment which basically includes a written research task. Graduate applicants with a degree in a non-creative field are required to have intensive work experience of around 3 to 5 years for admission.

Highlights

Whitehouse Institute of Design Admission Deadlines

Admissions to the Whitehouse Institute of Design are offered on a rolling basis. The upcoming intake for the courses taught at the institute is June 7, 2021.

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Whitehouse Institute of Design International Students Admission 

Whitehouse Institute of Design has an enrollment of around 7% international students from different parts of the world. International students are welcomed on both the Sydney and Melbourne campuses of the institute.

The institute does not specify subject prerequisites for admission. However, a background in design including visual arts and communication, design and technology, modern or ancient history is recommended.

Application Portal: Online Application

Application Fee: Not required

Basic Admission Requirements: International students seeking admission to Whitehouse Institute of Design must fulfill the following requirements:

• Academic transcripts from previously attended institutions including high school reports.
• For admission to undergraduate programs, students must complete high school in Australia, TAFE or one of the following overseas qualifications:
  • Higher School Certificate (HSC)
  • Certificate of Education within Australian States and Territories
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • Overseas Senior School Certificate equivalent to one of the above
• Applicants are expected to have an ATAR of 67.95 or equivalent
• Scores of standardised exams required to study in Australia
• Applicant must be eligible to apply for Student Visa or hold a Temporary Residency Visa with permission to study
• Proof of identity and citizenship in the form of valid passport or birth certificate
• Creative portfolio
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Detailed CV with records of academic and work experiences
• Interview for shortlisted applicants

Applicants must understand that the Creative Portfolio is an integral part for admission to the institute and is used to assess the applicant’s understanding of design, innovation, skills as per the current design industry and passion to learn and develop new ideas. The institute also welcomes applicants from non-creative backgrounds.

English Proficiency Test Score for International Students

International applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency by submitting one of the following test scores:

Students who have successfully completed previous studies in which the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English are exempted from this requirement.

Visa Process for International Students

International students seeking admission to the Whitehouse Institute of Design must apply for an Australian Student Visa Subclass 500 at the Department of Home Affairs. The documents necessary to apply for an Australian student visa are as follows:

• Identification documents
• Copy of valid passport
• Confirmation of enrollment, letters of support
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Evidence showing availability of financial resources required to study in Australia
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) documents
• SOP for Australian student Visa

After applying for the student visa, applicants must visit the nearest Australian embassy and schedule a visa interview. Since the process can be time consuming, students must apply at least 6 weeks before the commencement of the program.

Whitehouse Institute of Design Undergraduate Admissions

Whitehouse Institute of Design offers Bachelor’s in Design courses to the students. The course is divided into 3 specialisations namely Fashion Design, Creative Design and Styling and Interior Design. There are 4 categories of international applicants- Applicants who have vocational education and training (VET) study, applicants who have recent secondary education (in the past 2 years), applicants who have higher education study and applicants with life and work experience. There are some variations in the requirements for each of them. However, the general requirements for the course are given below:

Where to Apply: Online Application

Application Fee: Not required

Admission Requirements: Applicants for the Bachelor of Design program must submit the following documents for admission:

• Applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of admission
• Academic transcripts including High School Report or Certificate of Education
• To be eligible for admission, applicants must complete one of the following:
  • Certificate III in Design Fundamentals or
  • Certificate IV or
  • Diploma or
  • Advanced Diploma
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Creative Portfolio demonstrating at least 6-8 pieces
• Motivational Statement within 300 words
• Updated CV showing academic, professional and work experience
• Literacy assessment may be required for international students
• Applicant must be eligible to apply for Student Visa or hold a Temporary Residency Visa with permission to study, check reasons for rejection of Australian Visa.
• Copy of passport or birth certificate as proof of identity and citizenship
• Interview

Whitehouse Institute of Design Graduate Admissions

At the graduate level, Whitehouse Institute of Design offers a one-year, full-time Master of Design program. Applicants for the master’s degree program must have completed Bachelor of Design or equivalent degree to be eligible for admission. Academic portfolio and creative strength play a major role in the selection process.

Where to Apply: Online Application

Application Fee: No application fee

Admission Requirements: The requirements for admission to the Master of Design program are given below:

• Academic records from previously attended institutions
• Applicants must complete one of the following to be eligible for admission:
  • Bachelor of Design or equivalent
  • Diploma in a design related field with a minimum of 5 years industry experience; or
  • Advanced Diploma in a design related field with a minimum of 3 years industry experience; or
  • Graduate Certificate or Diploma in a design related field
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Updated CV with details of academic and professional work experience
• Project proposal in the area of focus which must include details of project outcome and proof of relevant research or expertise in the field
• Portfolio with evidence of recent work relevant to the project proposal
• Copy of passport as proof of identity and citizenship
• Proof of eligibility to apply for Student Visa or a Temporary Residency Visa with allowance to study

Once an applicant has submitted the completed application, a course expert from Whitehouse Institute will get in touch with them to discuss further steps of the application process. After processing the documents, the applicant will be invited to attend an interview. It must be noted that the institute notifies applicants regarding the admission decision within 24 hours of the interview.