Course Information

Bachelor of Visual Arts

Effective from 01-JAN-2025 : Code F23

We engage with current world problems from our inner-city location to develop experimental, socially informed visual art practices. Students develop the capacity to lead and formulate independent and collaborative projects that address contemporary concerns through interdisciplinary practices, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and time-based art. Through immersive visual art languages, we shape creative careers that contribute to the dynamic and changing world in which we live.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Clinical or professional work placement Option

In SAH2650 Professional Experience: Internship, students will be able to select workplace-based or project-based environments. In the workplace-based track, students will embark on a minimum of 100 hours of professional placement work experience within a public, private or not-for-profit organisation relevant to their academic studies. In the project-based track, students will engage in a project for a public, private or not-for-profit organisation that tackles a real-world challenge in collaboration or consultation with an industry partner. In SAH3650 Professional Placement 1 and SAH3660 Professional Placement 2, students will gain relevant work experience by undertaking a minimum of 225 hours (per unit) of professional placement with a public, private or not-for-profit host organisation which is relevant to their academic studies.

Application process

Enrolment into the Professional Experience and Professional Placement units are by application ONLY and entry requires students to participate in a recruitment and selection process. All placement and project opportunities will be vetted to ensure they provide a meaningful learning experience. As these units focus on the personal and professional development of the individual, no Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered for this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply visual arts concepts and techniques to a range of situations and contexts.
  2. Think critically to analyse and interpret complex cultural and environmental issues relevant to contemporary discourse.
  3. Apply creativity and visual art techniques to conceptualise and generate art-based responses to cultural and environmental challenges.
  4. Use digital literacy skills to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources, create digital art, and learn digital technologies relevant for visual art professionals.
  5. Apply communication skills clearly, coherently and with independence to explain, critique and promote visual art projects.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural responsiveness.
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values in contexts relevant to visual art practice.
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and scholarship and/or professional practice.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 3)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Cert IV;
  • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or
  • Experience Based Entry Scheme.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 3 Years
  • Part Time: 6 Years

Course Delivery

  • Mount Lawley: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

A/Prof Paul UHLMANN

Course Structure

Students are required to complete 240 credit points of core units and 120 credit points of elective units. Students that complete a 4-unit, subject-based Elective Sequence may nominate to have this recorded on their transcript as a minor in the subject area. Alternatively, students may complete any other combination of major, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other Schools in the university.

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
VIS1800Foundations of Art Practice 115
VIS1805Dialogues with Art15
VIS1810Drawing15
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
VIS1815Foundations of Art Practice 215
VIS1820Painting15
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
VIS2800Printmaking + Artists Books15
VIS2850Studio: Experimental Practices 30
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
VIS2815Time-based Art15
VIS2860Studio: Public Encounters30
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
VIS3800Professional Practice in the Arts15
VIS3850Studio: Investigation + Contemporary Art30
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
VIS3860Studio: Exploration + Presentation30
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15
Elective UnitUnit from elective sequence, recommended electives or alternative elective option 15

Students can choose any combination of electives from any of the recommended elective lists or any other combination of major, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other Schools in the university. Students that complete a 4-unit subject-based Elective Sequence may nominate to have this recorded on their transcript as a minor in the subject area.

Photography - Elective Sequence
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PHO1625Camera Work and Lighting 15
PHO2605Film Photography and Darkroom Practices15
PHO2610Photography Reimagined15
PHO3605Photography and Visual Storytelling15
Design - Elective Sequence
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
DES1600Design Foundations15
DES1605Design Prototyping15
DES1620Design Thinking15
DES1610Digital Design15
General Recommended Electives
Unit Code Unit TitleCredit Points
NOTE: Acceptance into SAH2650, SAH3650 and SAH3660 is by application only
IAS2340BlaK Matters: Indigenous Sci-fi and Futurisms, Ancient Knowledge for an Exciting Future15
ENG3160Graphic Novels15
SPR1600Introduction to Screen Practice15
SPR1615Introduction to Studio Production15
JBM1600Radio and Podcast Production15
WRT1600Creative Writing15
CMM2600Digital Content Creation15
AED3210Ceramics Studio15
ADM1605Creating the Arts in the Contemporary World15
SAH2650Professional Experience: Internship15
SAH3650Professional Placement 130
SAH3660Professional Placement 230

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

F23|1