CATC Entry criteria

One of the key challenges designers face is the eternal search for new ideas, new ways of seeing things and new ways of providing solutions for their clients. Every designer has their own unique approach to their work and their own expectations of what the outcomes might be. It's for this reason that for most designers, the excitement of what they do rests in the work that lies ahead…and it's different with every project.

Studying at CATC recognises that to be creative is to be individual. Creativity, original thinking and the ability to see things differently lies at the heart of the programs we offer and it's what industry is looking for.

To this end, we're looking for students who don't just want to be designers, we're looking for students who want to make a difference…students who are committed to being the best they can be in whatever area of design they choose.

NB. Students studying on campus at CATC from the Trimester 3 - 2011 onward will be required to have their own laptop (with specific design software). CATC has negotiated significant student discounts with our IT supplier including laptop and software discounts click here for details.

Certificate III

To gain entry into CATC Certificate III courses, you don't need a portfolio but you will need to:

• Have a genuine interest in design; AND
• Have successfully completed Australian High School Year 10, or equivalent; OR
• Be 21 years of age or over with evidence of work experience or further study.

Students who successfully complete a Certificate III are eligible for automatic entry into the Diploma.

Diploma

To gain entry into CATC Diploma courses, you don't need a portfolio but you will need to:

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in design*; AND
• Have successfully completed Australian High School Year 10 or equivalent; OR
• Have successfully completed a relevant Cert III, or equivalent; OR
• Be 21 years of age or over with evidence of work experience or further study.

* If you're applying for direct entry into one of our Diploma courses (which includes the relevant Cert III) we'll want to ask you a few simple questions. These are designed to help you and us make sure the course you've chosen is right for you. They also provide an opportunity for you to be able to tell us a little about yourself…what sort of designer you think you'd like to be and why.

Although you don't need a portfolio to enroll into our courses, if you have some work you're keen to show us, you're welcome to send it to us with your application (in PDF format with a file size no bigger than 5mb). If you choose to do this, six to eight pieces of creative work is sufficient. The work may include sketches, drawings or paintings you've done, photographs you've taken or photographs of things you've made. It doesn't matter whether they're school or college projects, personal projects or projects from another design course.

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Additional requirements for international students

If you're an international student, you need English language proficiency of IELTS 5.5 (Academic) with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (Academic) or equivalent proof of English language proficiency.

If you're under 18 years old, please also refer to our Overseas Students Under 18 Policy and Procedure which you can find at http://www.think.edu.au/policiesandforms.

Course credit

If you've completed another related course, or have previously worked in a related industry, you may be eligible to receive course credit. This means that you're able to gain credits towards the course you're enrolling in. In applying for course credit you'll need to provide the following documentation along with your application such as:

1. Certificates/Qualifications/Transcripts of previous related study
2. Examples of work completed or a portfolio if you have one
3. Letters from previous or current employers which state the tasks that you undertook or currently undertake in your position.

Course credit is granted at the discretion of CATC. Please refer to our Granting Course Credit Policy and Procedure at http://www.think.edu.au/policiesandforms. We encourage you to apply for course credit at the same time as submitting your application for enrolment.

With successful completion of the Diploma of Graphic Design or the Diploma of Interior Design, CATC Graduates also have the pathway opportunity to upgrade to the 2nd year of a Bachelor of Applied Design Degree (Communication Design or Commercial Interiors/Residential Interiors) with Billy Blue College of Design. This is achieved either by direct articulation or via Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL). Consult our friendly Course Advisors for more information. Also, refer the bottom of this page for further context.

Information sessions

Although we recognise not all students are able to do so, we strongly recommend you attend an information session at the campus. Attending an information session brings many advantages. It allows you to see who we are and what we look like and to learn all about the course you're interested in and where your studies might take you. It also allows you to tell us about why you'd like to study at CATC.

General information

The qualities we look for in students applying to study at CATC

• A desire to be creative
• A passion for design
• Basic drawing skills
• Basic computer skills
• A basic understanding of the course in which you're applying.

Normal hours of study for full-time students

All our full-time courses are 20 hours per week.

You'll either be studying in the mornings (8.30am to 12.30pm) or in the afternoons (1.30pm to 5.30pm).

Additional work outside of class hours

If you're studying with us full-time, you should expect to spend an extra 10-15 hours a week (approx) working on projects.

Part-time students should expect to spend an extra 6 hours a week (approx) working on projects.

Distance Learning students should expect to do about 10 hours a week including homework.

Recommended hardware specifications and software

You will need access to a laptop/computer throughout your studies - this applies whether you are studying on campus or by distance.

Minimum recommended specifications for laptop computers are:

• Intel Core™2 Duo Processor 2GHz or higher (15" or 17" highly recommended)
• Mac's | Leopard 10.5 or higher (Snow Leopard 10.6 highly recommended)
• PC's | Windows XP or higher (Windows 7 highly recommended)
• 13"screen or larger or a minimum resolution of 1400 x 900 pixels
• Memory | 4GB or higher
• Video card | 256MB
• Hard Drive | 320GB

CATC/THINK recommends that all students have Adobe Creative Suite CS5 on their computers (students who currently have CS4 will need to upgrade to CS5 at some stage). Creative Suite is essential for all students studying Graphic Design, Communication Design or Photography. Again, this applies whether you are studying on campus or by distance/online.

Interior Design Diploma students will also need ArchiCAD software (free student version).

CATC and BBCD students are eligible for substantial discounts for laptops and design software through THINK's preferred supplier Power Media. To enquire or order, contact Power Media directly at sales@powermedia.com.au.

NB. Students studying on campus at CATC (All campuses) + Billy Blue (Brisbane & Melbourne campuses) from Trimester 3 - 2011 onward will be required to have their own laptop with specific design software. CATC has negotiated significant student discounts with our IT supplier including laptop and software discounts click here for details.

What equipment will you need during your studies at CATC?

You will be required to have particular materials to complete your projects and will need to purchase additional materials throughout your studies.

Students studying on campus are able to buy a CATC art kit, which contains the equipment you'll need to get started. Eckersleys Art & Craft are CATC's preferred supplier, refer link below for Art Kit info:

https://www.eckersleys.com.au/products/education-kits/catc

Distance Learning students are able view the contents of the art kit on the here. You'll need to purchase some of this equipment before you start your studies.

If you're studying Photography, you'll need a digital SLR camera with manual settings and general photographic accessories such as card readers, standard lens, memory cards, battery charger etc.

What should you expect to pay for materials during your studies?

Based on the following information, you should allow for additional costs of approximately $300 - $500 per trimester excluding travel costs.

• CATC's Interior Design art kits are $500 (inc GST)
• CATC's Graphic Design art kits are $300 (inc GST)
• Art Kits are not required for Photography programs however there is specific equipment requirements outlined below

The following costs are a guide only and will vary with each student.

• Printing costs $20 - $50 per trimester
• Replenishing art kit/additional items $10 - $30 per trimester
• Photography students require a Digital SLR camera with full manual settings. We suggest that between $1,500 - $2,600 should be budgeted, sufficient for a new camera and a short range zoom lens kit (such as a kit lens for a cropped sensor: 18 - 55mm lens). A tripod will be necessary and can cost anywhere between $200 - $500. Advice about which camera might be the most appropriate can be sourced by talking to the Photography Program Manager during Orientation and/or the first week of study.

Additional photography costs might include:

• Card Reader - $40

• Extra cards (1GB – 4GB) - $40 +
• Stationery items - $60 (workbook and visual journal)
• Printing - $60-$80 per trimester
• Digital dedicated flash $500+
• Camera filters

Public transport expenses can be about $25 per week with a student concession card (full-time domestic students only)

Other expenses may include excursions and attending industry events.

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Going on to study at Billy Blue College of Design

If you want to study at CATC but you're also thinking of going on to study one of the Degree programs at Billy Blue College of Design, you'll need to successfully complete the appropriate CATC Diploma and meet the BBCD entry requirements (www.billyblue.com.au/enrolment/entry-requirements).

Successfully meeting these criteria will provide you with automatic entry into the 2nd Year of Billy Blue's three year Degree programs.