Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 2 locations
- Study mode
- Multi-mode
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- VTAC code
- 1200212011
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Melbourne
- Fees (first year)*
$10006 CSP
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
Overview
Join a creative community of emerging artists, designers and art historians and discover your creative talents. Our Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design develops your skills as a graphic designer and contemporary artist through studio practice, industry placements in the creative industries, opportunities to study art history abroad and present your artwork in galleries and exhibitions.
You will enhance your creativity working in a broad range of mediums, such as drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture and be supported by educators who are art historians, designers and curators, and who exhibit their work nationally and internationally.
You’ll have the opportunity to study art history overseas, at the Venice Biennale, in Paris or at our Rome campus, developing local and international networks and expanding your global outlook. Your work will be exhibited in our ACU gallery spaces over the course of your degree and you’ll get real-world experience through professional practice and an industry internship.
In your final year you’ll complete a major project in your chosen area and take part in the graduate exhibition showcasing your artwork, catalogue design, events management, and curating skills.
Graduates of this course can pursue further study with a Master of Teaching degree.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete a Professional Practice unit and a 105-hour Industry Internship.
The Professional Practice unit gives you the opportunity to explore some of the diverse career outcomes available to you as a visual arts and design graduate. It emphasises the importance of being an enterprising, socially responsible professional among your networks and communities of practice within the creative industries.
The Industry Internship requires you to volunteer in any area across the creative industries that interests you. This may include: facilitating creative workshops for community groups, volunteering in a museum or gallery, or working with graphic and web design companies or publishers.
Professional recognition
Graduates of this course may be eligible for membership of the following professional bodies:
- Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
- Australian Print Council
- Australian Net Art and Technology (ANET)
- Australian Sculptors Association
- Craft Australia
- International Council of Museums (ICOM)
- International Association of Art (UNESCO) (only available to NAVA members)
- National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)
- Potters Society
- Victorian Artists Society (VAS)
- Victorian Ceramic Group.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in creative industries including:
- administrator
- advertising
- art conservation
- art creative director
- art gallery manager
- art theory research assistant
- art therapist (with further training)
- art writer
- book illustrator
- curatorship
- events coordinator
- film-maker and editor
- graphic designer
- visual artist
- teaching (with further study)
- theatre and set designer
- visual merchandiser
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | ARTS109 Drawing | ARTS236 Ceramics/Multimedia | DESN120 Graphic Design Thinking data-versionlabel=2 > | BA minor 1 OR BA elective | |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | ARTS112 Art in the Early 20th Century | ARTS241 Painting | DESN242 Design for Publication | UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society or PHCC102 Being Human or PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life | |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | ARTS245 Printmaking data-versionlabel=2 > | ARTS237 Postmodern Art in the 20th Century | DESN227 Web Design OR DESN243 Design for Visual Storytelling data-versionlabel=2 > | ARTS226 Video / Installation | |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | ARTS238 Photography | ARTS246 Sculptural Practice data-versionlabel=2 > | DESN240 Design for Multimedia OR DESN244 Design for Social Media data-versionlabel=2 > | BA minor 2 or BA elective | |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World or PHCC320 The Just Society | ARTS325 Professional Practice | ARTS332 Self-Directed Studio | BA minor 3 or BA Elective | |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | ARTS330 Internship | ARTS341 Art in the 21st Century data-versionlabel=2 > or ARTS338 International Study Tour: Venice Biennale (intensive winter term) | ARTS340 Visual Arts and Design Major Project | BA minor 4 OR BA elective |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the requirements for the Diploma in Visual Arts and Design may exit from the course with that qualification.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | Assumed knowledge: 2 units of English (any) (Band 3). Recommended studies: Visual Arts for study in Visual Arts. |
Victoria | Prerequisite: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
English language requirements
Overall score of 6.0. Individual score of 6.0 in writing and speaking, and 5.5 in listening and reading.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
Admission Schemes
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Program
- Community Achiever Program (CAP)
- ACU Guarantee
- Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) - NSW/ACT only
Adjustment Factors which may improve your Selection Rank
- Most applicants to undergraduate courses at ACU are eligible for adjustment factors – which can help improve your selection rank when applying for a degree. Your location, school or personal circumstances may make you eligible too. Learn more about the full list of available adjustments.
Articulation from another course
- ACU Diploma in Visual Arts and Design (available to International Students only)
Work and Life Experience
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- Work experience - A Selection Rank can be calculated based on your work experience - you need to document all of your experience and provide supporting documentation.
If you have a Selection Rank but it's not enough for this course
- Complete 2 non-award individual UG units; the results attained for these units can then be converted to a Selection Rank
- Complete a VET qualification such as an AQF Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma
- Commence another ACU Bachelor degree with a lower required Selection Rank, successfully complete 2 or more units, then apply for an internal transfer to this course. A new Selection Rank will be calculated from your results in the ACU units.
Further study
Students wishing to explore education as a career can use this course as a pathway into a Master of Teaching degree.
Fees
Course costs
$10006 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.