Design in Prato: DGN3000 Global Design Studio

Design in Prato: DGN3000 Global Design Studio

In 2026, the DGN3000 Global Design Studio in Prato program will offer a 6-week Italy intensive, based at Monash University Prato and delivered by Dr Giorgia Pisano and Ms Mel Coombes. As part of the unit, students from PoliTechnic of Milan (Polimi) will collaborate on a project in Prato and students will visit the university in Milan.

Through a thematic line of inquiry, you will respond to complex societal, cultural, environmental, technological, and economic challenges, exploring how systems shape individuals and communities. You will engage in collaborative projects that involve partnerships with stakeholders, co-developing design propositions that aim to create real-world impact. The unit emphasises leadership in collaborative design, requiring you to facilitate team dynamics, guide inquiry-based learning activities, and take on greater responsibility in planning and executing design outcomes. As you refine your design practice, you will experiment with advanced methods, tools and techniques, expanding your ability to generate meaningful and responsive outcomes. By critically engaging with these issues and collaborating with peers, communities, and project partners, you will develop a nuanced understanding of how design can contribute to sustainable and equitable futures.

Location

Monash Prato was founded to connect Monash students and researchers with universities, governments, industry and cultural organisations in Europe. The centre is in the heart of historical Prato, in the eighteenth-century Palazzo Vaj. It is conveniently located in central Italy, providing you with all kinds of options for exploring Italy and further afield.

View testimonials from students who have studied in Prato in past years.

Dates / Deadlines:
TermYear App Deadline Start Date End Date
Module 10/11202620-Mar-202624-Aug-20262-Oct-2026
Information Sheet
Academic LevelUndergraduate
Awarded Credit Points18
Program TypeMonash Global Campus Programs
Program Duration39 days
Leading FacultySchool of Design
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
Minimum WAM 60%
Eligible Monash Campus Monash Australia 
Minimum Credits Completed (at time of registration) 48
Funding Available Monash Abroad Travel Grant

Program Costs

Program Cost: Total of the following amounts

  • Accommodation in Prato (6 weeks) - approx. AUD$3800-$5800
  • Excursion fees (including accommodation outside of Prato) - approx. AUD$1600

Deposit Payment: To accept your place in the program, $700 due at the time of registration which comprises of deposit of the following

  • Module 10 (Prato accommodation, excursion costs) - $500
  • Module 11 (Prato accommodation) - $200

Final Payment: Remaining balance due Thursday 9 July 2026 (can be paid in instalments until this date)

Program costs includes:

  • Single room or twin-share room accommodation in Prato for 6 weeks (self-selected options)
  • Twin-share room accommodation outside of Prato (ie Milan) (group bookings)
  • Excursion:
    • Ground transportation to program-related events/activities
    • 4 x nights accommodation in Milan [Saturday 12 September - Wednesday 16 September]
    • All fieldwork expenses

Program costs do not include:

  • International flights
  • Monash tuition fees*
  • Visa (if required - see information below)
  • Local travel outside of program activities
  • Medical expenses (which may be claimable via the insurance policy)
  • Meals and drinks not included in the program
  • Personal expenses.

*Monash students will be enrolled in DGN3000 Global Design Studio / TDN3002 Design Strategy and Professional Practice (combined to equal 18 credit points) and charged standard fees according to their verified funding status. This fee will appear on your Monash Fee Statement.

Monash Abroad Travel insurance

If you are an actively enrolled Monash student and participating in an approved international program, you will be provided with complimentary travel insurance. You will automatically be covered once your application has been approved and your enrolment updated to reflect your study overseas.

Under this policy, travellers will also receive access to 24/7 emergency assistance provided by Global 24 Emergency Assistance and limited coverage for personal travel days.

Visas

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Please note that many nationalities are required to obtain a Schengen visa to enter Italy (view list here). NOTE: This is an external link to a non-Monash site. If you hold one of the nationalities that require that visa, Monash Abroad strongly recommends that you engage with the Italian Consulate now to commence the visa application process. This is due to the visa processing backlog and delays the Italian Consulate are currently experiencing. Please start by booking an appointment via the Consulate's online booking portal as appointment time slots are generally booked up months ahead. You can view this resource to learn more about the visa process and how Monash Abroad can support you.

Monash Abroad cannot provide advice regarding visa requirements. If you require a visa to enter the country where your placement is based (e.g. you are an International student), you will need to contact the relevant Consulate General or Embassy within Australia for advice.. Monash Abroad can issue you with supporting documentation to lodge your visa application, to request that, please complete this form. Please note, these requests take approximately 3-5 business days, but may take longer during peak periods.

Centrelink support documents

For the purposes of maintaining your Centrelink benefits during your overseas program, complete this form so that Monash Abroad can produce a letter of enrolment for you. Please note, these requests take approximately 3-5 business days, but may take longer during peak periods.

Important Note:

The Monash Abroad Travel Grant and OS-HELP loan (if applicable) will be paid approximately 2-4 weeks prior to program commencement and only when all Monash Abroad requirements are completed by you. Therefore, these funds will function to reimburse you for monies paid and should not be considered as your primary source of funding to pay program-related deposits and balances.

Monash Abroad Travel Grant

Monash students studying in Australia who are enrolled into a credit bearing unit for this program will be assessed for eligibility to receive a Monash Abroad travel grant.

You do not need to apply separately for this grant as your eligibility for this grant will be assessed as part of your application.

OS-HELP Loan

OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth Supported Place students, to undertake some of their study overseas.

If you are eligible for the loan and wish to apply, please submit your application as per the relevant OS-HELP loan term deadline, even if you have not been accepted into your overseas program by that deadline.

Student Loans

If you need help with study-related expenses, please refer to the student loans website and talk to a student adviser at Monash Connect.

Travel Scholarships

Please refer to the travel and placements scholarship website for more information.

Dates / Deadlines:
TermYear App Deadline Start Date End Date
Module 10/11202620-Mar-202624-Aug-20262-Oct-2026

Eligibility

Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:

  • a WAM of 60% or above
  • Currently enrolled in Bachelor of Design and completion of xxx2001 core unit
  • submit a 200-word personal statement outlining outlining why you are applying to enrol in the unit and what you hope to gain from participating in the program.

At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for this program at the link below 

  • Complete both the Application for Overseas Study Form and Design in Prato Program preference form.
  • Select "Monash led programs" as the program type.
  • Select “GCP | Design in Prato: DGN3000 Global Design Studio in Prato, Italy (Semester 2, 2026)”.
  • Submit a 200-word personal statement outlining why you are applying to enrol in the unit and what you hope to gain from participating in the program.

Step 2: Selection and enrolment

The Faculty will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this program overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.

Step 3: Additional data collection and travel approval

Once you application has been assessed, you will be issued with an outcome email. If you are successful, your outcome email will include a letter of offer that you will need to accept. The outcome email will also include two additional forms and pre-departure module for you to complete:
1. Passport and medical details, and
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
3. Pre-departure module

Once you have actioned these, Monash Abroad will assess your Travel Approval Request and you will be notified of the outcome. We may also contact you if we have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed before you are approved for travel. Please note that travel approval takes approximately 1-2 weeks, but may take longer during peak periods and your responses.

Once you are approved for travel you will have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.

Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

All enquiries, please contact Monash Connect

Dates / Deadlines:
TermYear App Deadline Start Date End Date
Summer B (Jan-Feb)202528-Jul-202425-Jan-202510-Feb-2025

Eligibility

Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:

  • a WAM of 60% or above
  • completed at least 48 credit points
  • submit a 200-word personal statement outlining outlining why you are applying to enrol in the unit and what you hope to gain from participating in the program.

Other requirements: Students will be asked to contribute to a collaborative creative music project and should be prepared to sing and/or perform as a component of their work in the unit.

At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for this program at the link below  (applications open on 03rd June 2024)

OPENING SOON

Step 2: Selection and enrolment

The Faculty of Arts will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this program overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.

Step 3: Additional data collection and travel approval

Once you application has been assessed, you will be issued with an outcome email. If you are successful, your outcome email will include a letter of offer that you will need to accept. The outcome email will also include two additional forms and pre-departure module for you to complete:
1. Passport and medical details, and
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
3. Pre-departure module

Once you have actioned these, Monash Abroad will assess your Travel Approval Request and you will be notified of the outcome. We may also contact you if we have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed before you are approved for travel. Please note that travel approval takes approximately 1-2 weeks, but may take longer during peak periods and your responses.

Once you are approved for travel you will have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.

Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

  • Professor Margaret Barrett, Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance - margaret.barrett@monash.edu,
  • Dr Aura Go Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance - aura.go@monash.edu;
  • Ms Kerryn Morey, School Manager, Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance - kerryn.morey@monash.edu

    All other enquiries, please contact Monash Connect