Study design communication in Malaysia: Sunway BA (Honours)
Design communication is about making a message work in print, on screen and through interactive media. Sunway's degree combines typography, drawing, illustration and digital work with research and projects. We explain the portfolio requirement, the published study structure and the fee estimate, so you can judge the route without relying on a course title alone.
Make the message clear.
The degree at a glance
A Malaysia design degree spanning print, screen and interaction
Sunway lists its Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Communication as three years full-time. The current start months are February, May and September. The page prints registration (R2/0211/6/0072)(11/31)(MQA/FA8091).
The programme describes both communication design and information design, with historical and contextual research as part of the work. Its named subjects include Design & Typography, Motion Graphics Design, Digital Publishing and Web Design & Interactivity. We compare that subject mix with your interest in graphic, moving-image or interactive work.
On successful completion, Sunway says graduates also receive a degree from Lancaster University and two certificates. That is the published dual-award arrangement; we check the current details in the intake offer.
What you actually study
Malaysia design subjects: foundations, digital work and projects
The current page groups foundation subjects in year 1, applied design subjects in year 2, and later project and internship components. We show selected named subjects below. This is a course comparison, not a claim that every elective is available in every intake.
Year 1: a visual vocabulary
- Creative Design Thinking
- Design & Typography
- Digital Photography
- Digital Storytelling
- Drawing Techniques & Process
- English for the Arts
- History of Art & Design
- Introduction to Computer Graphics
- Introduction to Visual Communication
- Motion Graphics Design
- Visual Communication & Graphic Design
Year 2: applied design
- Design Entrepreneurship
- Digital Illustration
- Digital Publishing
- Advanced Computer Graphics
- Packaging in Graphic Design
- Sustainable Design
- Web Design & Interactivity
- Free Elective
- Discipline Electives 1 and 2
Project and internship components
- Visual Culture and Technology
- Major Research Project
- Industry-Based Project
- Final Year Project
- Internship (3 months)
Sunway says choose two year-2 discipline electives. Its list includes 2D Animations & Principles, 3D Design, Ceramic Arts, Designing Play, Digital Experience Design, Prototyping Models, Media Art and Virtual Reality Design. International students also take university subjects including Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation, Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 2, Critical Thinking, Community Service for Planetary Health, Entrepreneurship Mindset and Skills, Essentials of Employability, Integrity & Anti-Corruption and AI Foundation and Applications. We confirm the intake structure with Sunway.
Estimated annual fee; year not printed
Malaysia design communication fees: annual estimates, not a full quote
The programme page lists an estimated annual international course fee of USD9,477. Unlike some Sunway sibling pages, its fee heading does not print an intake year. We keep that limitation visible and ask for a dated international schedule before treating it as a current intake quote.
International estimated annual course fee
About Rs8.94 lakh per year
Our indicative conversion is RM38,467, also about Rs8.94 lakh. This is a BNM cross-rate calculation, not a ringgit quotation from Sunway. No intake year is printed in the page's fee heading.Separate local estimated annual fee
About Rs8.95 lakh per year
This is the separately published domestic estimate. It is not the international fee for an Indian applicant.Admission from India
Malaysia design entry: academic results and portfolio are separate
Sunway says applicants with other qualifications are considered case by case. It does not name an Indian Class 12 board cutoff here. We check the academic route using your actual board and results, and prepare the separate portfolio requirement alongside it.
Indian boards
Sunway programme page, checked 11 November 2026.
Other common routes
Sunway lists A-Level points as A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4 and E=2. Other qualifications are considered case by case. These are published entry routes, not an admission decision.
Portfolio minimum versus recommendation: Sunway says the portfolio requires at least five artworks using varied media and applications. It also strongly recommends at least five drawings and a further five works in other formats. We distinguish the printed minimum from the stronger recommendation, then confirm the current submission brief. Examples listed include paintings, sketches, collages, photographs, poster designs, videos, animation, logos and sculpture.
English evidence
Malaysia design English evidence: IELTS or equivalent 6.0
Sunway lists IELTS or equivalent 6.0, MUET Band 4, SPM English B, UEC English B6 and O-Level English (1119) Credit. It also lists its Intensive English Programme Level 4 with at least 65%, or a satisfactory English/ESL level in an English-medium pre-university programme. We ask which route fits your evidence instead of assume that English-medium schooling automatically qualifies.
Sunway Design Communication English requirements, checked 11 November 2026.When you can start
Malaysia design intakes and the three-month internship
The current programme page says February, May and September. We confirm the timetable for your intended intake. Its curriculum lists a three-month internship, but does not name a host employer or promise a particular placement to every student.
Sunway prints the internship length in the course structure. We check timing, available host arrangements and any intake-specific requirements separately.
After the degree
Malaysia design careers and a portfolio you can discuss
Sunway lists graphic designer, illustrator, UI designer, web designer, interactive/multimedia designer, 2D/3D animator, game artist and design entrepreneur among its career directions. The list also includes copywriter, film/TV assistant producer, event coordinator, project coordinator and creative director.
We treat those as directions, not an employment promise. The course subjects are a better basis for choosing: typography and graphic communication for visual messages, motion graphics for movement, packaging for physical formats, and web and digital experience subjects for interaction.
Your application portfolio has a different purpose from a graduate employment portfolio. At entry, Sunway says it uses the work to assess design ability and creative potential. We help you organise your own work around the stated brief without presenting someone else's work as yours.
Funding scope
Malaysia design scholarship checks and portfolio planning
The programme page links to SEG Scholarships. We check current award criteria with your results and intake before building any award into a fee plan.
We keep portfolio preparation, admission requirements and scholarship checks separate. Passing a portfolio review does not itself establish an award, and a general scholarship link does not confirm a reduction for this degree.
Questions families ask us
Malaysia design communication at Sunway: questions before the portfolio
Is five artworks enough, or does Sunway want ten?
The current page states a minimum of five varied artworks, then strongly recommends five drawings plus a further five works. We show both rather than silently turn the recommendation into a different minimum. Confirm the latest submission brief before sending.
Does the programme include an internship?
Yes. The current curriculum lists Internship (3 months). It does not guarantee a specific company, so we check placement arrangements separately.
Are the displayed fees a confirmed 2027 total?
No. They are annual estimates and the fee heading does not name an intake year. We need a dated international schedule before quoting the cost for your chosen intake or the full degree.
Can I apply using an Indian Class 12 qualification?
The page says other qualifications are considered case by case. We ask Sunway about your board and results rather than assume a published foreign-route percentage is an Indian cutoff.
Is this the same as Advertising and Branding?
No. Design Communication names drawing, typography, illustration, publishing, packaging, web and interaction subjects. We compare the actual current subjects with Advertising and Branding if you are deciding between the two.
Evidence
Sources for this Malaysia course page
- Sunway Design Communication - current duration, intakes, registration, Lancaster dual award, named subjects and electives, internship length, portfolio minimum and recommendation, academic and English routes, career directions and annual fee estimates. Checked 11 November 2026.
- Currency estimates use Bank Negara Malaysia interbank rates, 6 November 2026: USD1 = RM4.0590 and INR100 = RM4.3023 (exchange rates). Actual conversion costs may differ. Original hero study map uses subject labels from the programme page; it is not student artwork or a portfolio to submit.
Build your Malaysia design application with our Calicut team.
We are Malaysia study-abroad experts working with 34 partner universities. Bring your results, your own creative work and your preferred intake. We will check the academic route, portfolio brief and dated international fee schedule with you.
Talk to our Malaysia study-abroad expertsOur office: Ground Floor, HiLITE Business Park, Calicut. Please arrange an appointment before visiting.