Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice |
| Deakin course code | A733 |
| Course credit points | 16 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2026 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 119808E Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
| Supplementary information | From 2027 this course will offer Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 intakes |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
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.
Career opportunities
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alternative exits
Course learning outcomes
| 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.
Course rules
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.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice Discipline Core
| AID701 | GenAI Impact on Design and Creative Processes |
| AID702 | Applying GenAI in Creative Practice |
| AID703 | Creative Use of GenAI in Industry |
| AID704 | GenAI in Creative Research |
ACG703 Design Systems [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ACG706 Design for the Digital World [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ACG708 Design Strategies [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ACI700 Digital Art and Photography [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ALC702 Making Sense of Communities Online [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
ALC708 Social Media Content Creation [No longer available for enrolment for this course]
Specialisation/discipline Elective units
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.
Research units
| ACA711 | Methods and Design for Creative Arts Research |
| ALX723 | Masters Research Project B |
| ALX724 | Masters Research Project C |
| ALX725 | Masters Research Project D |
ACA703 Advanced Creative Research Project A [No longer available for enrolment]
ACA704 Advanced Creative Research Project B [No longer available for enrolment]
Course electives
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.
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.
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.
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.
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.
Fees and charges
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.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.