The visual artist is a major contributor to the culture of contemporary society.
Our exciting and challenging degree programs give you the opportunity to gain experience in contemporary approaches to visual arts.
This is the start of your career as a visual artist. Studio skills and research methods are developed, ideas challenged and experimentation encouraged. By integrating theory and practice and encouraging independent enquiry, you will develop an appreciation of the artist's role in contemporary society as well as become equipped for a career in a particular visual arts field.
Study pathways
Undergraduate degree programs
The Bachelor of Fine Art degree program's areas of study include:
- Jewellery and Small Objects
- Painting
- Print Media
- Sculpture
Year 1 will give you a grounding in fundamental aspects of visual art practice and theory and develops your individual aptitudes and interests. Years 2 and 3 will offer you a considerable choice in studio studies. The aim of the second year is to develop a wide range of skills and experience across several studio areas. Studio majors can be selected from the following:
- Interdisciplinary Painting
- Interdisciplinary Print Media
- Interdisciplinary Sculpture
- Jewellery and Small Objects
- Professional Studies
The Bachelor of Fine Art program is offered 3 years full time on the South Bank campus.
The Bachelor of Digital Media degree program offers cross study and specialisation in digital design, 3-dimensional design, ePhotojournalism, fine art and graphic design. Year 1, you will study core courses which address basic skills and knowledge as well as undertaking a Studio Foundation component in which you'll become competent in the basic skill of your studio major. Years 2 and 3, you will become professionally competent in your studio major area as well as having the flexibility to choose an elective major in another area. By doing so, you'll complete a double major, broadening your experience. The Bachelor of Digital Media award studio majors include:
- 3D Design
- Digital Design
- ePhotojournalism
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design
The Bachelor of Digital Media degree program is offered 3 years full time on the Gold Coast campus.
Postgraduate degree programs
The Graduate Certificate in Visual Arts award is available for students who successfully complete 40 credit points of study from the Master of Arts in Visual Arts degree program. The courses offered give students the opportunity to participate in the continuing contemporary debate about research issues within art practice and to acquire skills necessary for the production of the studio projects. The Graduate Certificate in Visual Arts program is offered 1 semester full time, or 2 semesters part time on the South Bank campus.
The Master of Arts in Visual Arts degree program is a flexible program that supports a proportion of independent project work. The program consists of coursework activities which include individually designed projects. A feature of the program is the opportunity for students to produce a body of practical work within their particular discipline and with relevance to their own interests. The courses offered give students the opportunity to participate in the continuing contemporary debate about research issues within art practice and to acquire skills necessary for the production of the studio projects.
The Master of Arts in Visual Arts program is offered 2 semesters part time, or 4 semesters full time on the South Bank campus. The Master of Arts with Honours in Visual Arts program is designed to either facilitate the acquisition of new skills or, more generally, to develop a portfolio of work that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Research degree programs
The Higher Degree Research Qualifying Program provides an alternative route for entry into the Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Philosophy program if you do not have the required qualifications for admission. The Higher Degree Research Qualifying Program is offered 2 semesters full time, 4 semesters part time.
The Master of Philosophy degree program is awarded on the basis of a thesis prepared under supervision, which presents the results of original research in a scholarly form. Demonstrating your knowledge of the research topic and the disciplines it embraces, the thesis will be judged by independent experts applying accepted contemporary international standards. The Master of Philosophy program is offered 1 year full time (maximum 2 years), 2 years part time (maximum 4 years).
The Doctor of Visual Arts professional development program is an integrated program of independent research and coursework. It is designed for graduates seeking to extend their studio research and practice, and make original conceptual advancements within their chosen discipline.
You will possess the necessary expertise to provide leadership in respective fields through the quality of your professional practice, research skills and the ability to articulate a theoretical position within a visual arts discourse. The Doctor of Visual Arts program is offered 2 year full time (maximum 4 years), 2 years part time (maximum 8 years) at the South Bank campus.
The Master of Visual Arts program gives you the opportunity to extend studio expertise by identifying challenges, exploring innovative solutions and advancing your understanding of the concepts underlying your work and the context in which it is produced. Graduates demonstrate high performance levels in their studio practice, having developed a strong theoretical understanding of that practice. The Master of Visual Arts is offered 2 years full time, 4 years part time at the South Bank campus.
The Doctor of Philosophy is our premier research training degree. A PhD is awarded on the basis of a thesis prepared under supervision that makes an original, significant and extensive contribution to knowledge and understanding in the relevant field of study, as judged by independent experts applying accepted contemporary international standards. The Doctor of Philosophy program is offered full time minimum 2 years , maximum 4 years, or part time minimum 3 years, maximum 8 years. The program can be undertaken in schools and research centres.
The Doctor of Philosophy by Publication allows for formal recognition of established researchers who do not already hold a doctoral level qualification, and who have substantial international standing in their fields based on their record of academic publication. The degree will be awarded to a student who through published work has made an original scholarly contribution to knowledge and demonstrated a capacity for independent research. The Doctor of Philosophy by Publication is offered 1 year full time.