
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals CUA30720
Are you creative and heading into Year 11 in NSW?
Get a taste of design school while you’re still at school, have fun, meet like-minded creatives and build a portfolio you’ll be proud of.
Learn on campus or virtually from anywhere in NSW during term time or in week blocks in the school holidays.
Statement of Attainment
One Year Program
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
Two-Year Program

Certificate III in Design Fundamentals CUA30720
Are you creative and heading into Year 11 in NSW?
Get a taste of design school while you’re still at school, have fun, meet like-minded creatives and build a portfolio you’ll be proud of.
Learn on campus or virtually from anywhere in NSW during term time or in week blocks in the school holidays.
Statement of Attainment
One Year Program
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
Two-Year Program
Get ahead doing something you love.
We won’t box you in – we’ll open you up to the possibilities of a creative future and help you take your first step towards it.
This practical foundation course gives you a taste of interior design, styling, creative direction, fashion, textile and graphic design. You’ll explore your strengths, refine your direction, and build a clear pathway into further study.
Along the way, you’ll complete a range of design projects, building a diverse and compelling portfolio.
Study for one year and get a Statement of Attainment and 2 units credit towards your HSC or study for 2 years and get 4 units of credit and the full qualification.
Download a brochure

Get ahead doing something you love.
We won’t box you in – we’ll open you up to the possibilities of a creative future and help you take your first step towards it.
This practical foundation course gives you a taste of interior design, styling, creative direction, fashion, textile and graphic design. You’ll explore your strengths, refine your direction, and build a clear pathway into further study.
Along the way, you’ll complete a range of design projects, building a diverse and compelling portfolio.
Study for one year and get a Statement of Attainment and 2 units credit towards your HSC or study for 2 years and get 4 units of credit and the full qualification.
Download a brochure
Australian Government Accredited Qualification
The Certificate III in Design Fundamentals is nationally accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
Study one year and get a Statement of Attainment and 2 units of credit towards the HSC or study for 2 years and get 4 units of credit.
On completion of our one- or two-year program you will receive direct entry into our Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design with no ATAR required.
Australian Government
Accredited Qualification
The Certificate III in Design Fundamentals is nationally accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
Study one year and get a Statement of Attainment and 2 units of credit towards the HSC or study for 2 years and get 4 units of credit.
On completion of our one- or two-year program you will receive direct entry into our Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design with no ATAR required.
What are the modes of delivery?


Learn in our creative studios
Experience the atmosphere of our world class North Sydney studios. Connect and collaborate with like-minded creatives as you get hands-on drawing, styling and designing.
Virtual learning from school
Living in NSW but outside Sydney? Connect with classmates across the state in our real time online classroom. Be inspired by live demonstrations from our passionate Educators.
What are the modes of delivery?

Learn in our creative studios
Experience the atmosphere of our world class North Sydney studios. Connect and collaborate with like-minded creatives as you get hands-on drawing, styling and designing.

Virtual learning from school
Living in NSW but outside Sydney? Connect with classmates across the state in our real time online classroom. Be inspired by live demonstrations from our passionate Educators.
Tell me more about the course
What are my options?
We offer three learning options to better fit in with your school timetable, location and learning style.
Option 1: On Campus Block during school holidays
The course is offered in blocks at our North Sydney campus.
- Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Year 1:
- Block 1: 12-16 April 2027
- Block 2: 5-9 July 2027
- Block 3: 5-8 October 2027
Year 2
- Block 1: 10-13 April 2028
Block 2: 10-14 July 2028
Option 2: On Campus Wednesday term time
Learn in our creative studios in North Sydney, get a feel for what it would be like to study interior design at Sydney Design School.
- Option 1: 9.30am – 12.30pm
- Option 2: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Year 1
- Term 1: 17 February – 7 April 2027
- Term 2: 28 April – 30 June 2027
- Term 3: 21 July – 22 September 2027
Year 2
- Term 1: 9 February – 5 April 2028
- Term 2: 26 April – 28 June 2028
Option 3: Virtual Learning Wednesday term time
Your Educator will demonstrate in real time in our Zoom classroom. This is ideal for students living outside of Sydney. You can study from school on a laptop.
- Option 1: 9.30am – 12.30pm
- Option 2: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Year 1
- Term 1: 17 February – 7 April 2027
- Term 2: 28 April – 30 June 2027
- Term 3: 21 July – 22 September 2027
Year 2
- Term 1: 9 Feb – 5 April 2028
- Term 2: 26 April – 28 June 2028
What are the entry requirements?
There are no entry requirements for this course, just bring your passion for design. This program is for New South Wales high schools only.
What are my future study options?
During the course you’ll produce a range of design projects that will help you build a diverse, compelling portfolio for applying to a design course.
The Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720) provides direct entry into our Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design with no portfolio and no ATAR required.
Sydney Design School and UNSW Sydney have partnered to offer graduates of the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design the opportunity to apply for direct entry into the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Hons) saving them 12 months and 18 months of study respectively.
What do I need?
In terms of equipment, you will need the following to learn virtually from school. For those studying on campus this is only needed to complete homework.
/ A basic desktop computer or laptop
/ Internet and a browser
/ Microsoft Word
Tell me more about the course
What are my options?
We offer three learning options to better fit in with your school timetable, location and learning style.
Option 1: On Campus Block during school holidays
The course is offered in blocks at our North Sydney campus.
- Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Year 1:
- Block 1: 12-16 April 2027
- Block 2: 5-9 July 2027
- Block 3: 5-8 October 2027
Year 2
- Block 1: 10-13 April 2028
Block 2: 10-14 July 2028
Option 2: On Campus Wednesday term time
Learn in our creative studios in North Sydney, get a feel for what it would be like to study interior design at Sydney Design School.
- Option 1: 9.30am – 12.30pm
- Option 2: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Year 1
- Term 1: 17 February – 7 April 2027
- Term 2: 28 April – 30 June 2027
- Term 3: 21 July – 22 September 2027
Year 2
- Term 1: 9 February – 5 April 2028
- Term 2: 26 April – 28 June 2028
Option 3: Virtual Learning Wednesday term time
Your Educator will demonstrate in real time in our Zoom classroom. This is ideal for students living outside of Sydney. You can study from school on a laptop.
- Option 1: 9.30am – 12.30pm
- Option 2: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Year 1
- Term 1: 17 February – 7 April 2027
- Term 2: 28 April – 30 June 2027
- Term 3: 21 July – 22 September 2027
Year 2
- Term 1: 9 Feb – 5 April 2028
- Term 2: 26 April – 28 June 2028
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this course, just bring your passion for design. This program is for New South Wales high schools only.
What are my future study options?
During the course you’ll produce a range of design projects that will help you build a diverse, compelling portfolio for applying to a design course.
The Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUA30720) provides direct entry into our Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design with no portfolio and no ATAR required.
Sydney Design School and UNSW Sydney have partnered to offer graduates of the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design the opportunity to apply for direct entry into the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Hons) saving them 12 months and 18 months of study respectively.
What do I need?
In terms of equipment, you will need the following to learn virtually from school. For those studying on campus this is only needed to complete homework.
/ A basic desktop computer or laptop
/ Internet and a browser
/ Microsoft Word
How do I apply?
If you’re interested in joining us, you will need to discuss this course with your School Careers Adviser or EVET Coordinator.
We are an approved EVET provider, and your Advisor can find this course on the EVET portal and apply with an Expression of Interest on your behalf.


How do I apply?
If you’re interested in joining us, you will need to discuss this course with your School Careers Adviser or EVET Coordinator.
We are an approved EVET provider, and your Advisor can find this course on the EVET portal and apply with an Expression of Interest on your behalf.
Got questions?
Contact our team