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Bachelor of Art and Design

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BAD

  • Course code

    3007160

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Art and Design provides a comprehensive grounding in the practical and theoretical aspects of contemporary visual arts practice. The theoretical component of the course instils an appreciation of both contemporary and historical perspectives applicable to contemporary art practice, curatorial practice and other careers in the arts industry.

Students gain a diverse and rich studio experience in an atmosphere that nurtures and inspires creativity. They develop their skills working in well-equipped, purpose-built studios for painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture, digital arts and design, and drawing.

Students work under the guidance of academic staff, many of whom are active in the contemporary arts industry. The Lismore campus is a cultural hub at the centre of the dynamic arts scene of the Northern Rivers.

Our art and design graduates have featured in some of Australia’s most prestigious arts awards and their work regularly features in commercial and public galleries nationally and internationally. Many have gained further qualifications through Honours and PhD studies to become art researchers and academics, while continuing their art practices.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Apply intellectual rigour and critical analysis to complex art, social, economic, environmental, political and historical issues.

Develop research and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes through critical and reflective thinking and practice

Demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies, techniques and critical reflective thinking in the discipline of Art and Design research.

Creativity

Negotiate and develop creative and innovative responses to specific fine art challenges.

Apply relevant skills and knowledge to produce creative works and artefacts.

Develop research and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes through critical reflective thinking in the production of creative works.

Ethical practice

Interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments with reference to principles of social justice and creative art's ethical frameworks.

Evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and fine arts ethical frameworks.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a command of contemporary art world views and contemporary issues relating to professional or scholarly settings in the creative art industries and communities

Demonstrate knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques within Art and Design

Lifelong learning

Independently access, manage and evaluate sources of information in contemporary formats.

Develop the qualities of a reflective, responsible and inclusive practitioner in culturally diverse settings.

Work independently and collaboratively in the culture of fine art, in response to project demands.

Communication and social skills

Communicate effectively in visual, oral and written form

Work collaboratively to achieve mutually agreed outcomes.

Interpret, communicate, collaborate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences, including studio critiques.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate cultural proficiency, cultural competency and cultural safety in a range of professional and scholarly community contexts.

Recognise and develop cultural understanding and reflect on social and cultural issues, and apply local and international perspectives to practice in the fine arts sector.

Students have the opportunity to undertake an internship in the dynamic arts industries of the New South Wales North Coast. They can also study for a session at universities overseas including the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York, University of Hertfordshire in England, Universitat de Barcelona in Spain, University of Massachusetts in USA, and Kansai Gaidai University in Japan.

Students complete core studies in:

  • Studio studies: painting, printmaking, mixed-media, 3D studies
  • Art theory
  • Curating
  • Studio drawing
  • Design.

In second and third year, students select from a range of creative and media arts units and/or units from across the University to complement their areas of interest.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 333110 053361

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Students applying for the Bachelor of Art and Design must complete a folio presentation and interview prior to being granted entry into the degree. 

Credit for prior learning

Candidates who can demonstrate artistic expertise at a professional level may be granted advanced standing of up to 4 Art and Design units, provided such artistic expertise has been demonstrated within 5 years prior to admission to candidature. 

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Art and Design a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. 20 Core units listed; and
    2. 4 Elective Art and Design units; or
    3. any combination of 4 Elective units from Art and Design or University Wide Electives
  2. A student can exit with an Associate Degree in Art and Design if  the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) have been successfully completed, comprising a minimum of 12 core units
  3. A student can exit with a Diploma of Art and Design if the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) have been successfully completed comprising any 8 core units.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes

Year 1, Session 1

AAD71101 -  Drawing Introductory
AAD71102 -  Painting Essentials Introductory
AAD71104 -  Photography and Digital Imaging Introductory
AAD71103 -  Design Fundamentals Introductory

Year 1, Session 2

AAD71105 -  Printmaking Fundamentals Introductory
AAD71106 -  Sculpture and Spatial Practice Introductory
AAD71108 -  3D Printing and Fabrication Introductory
AAD71107 -  Looking at Art Introductory

Year 2, Session 1

AAD72201 -  Studio Practice I Intermediate Note 1
AAD72202 -  Modern Art and the Avant-Garde Intermediate
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Year 2, Session 2

AAD72203 -  Studio Practice II Intermediate Note 1
AAD72204 -  Art after 1960 Intermediate
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Year 3, Session 1

AAD73301 -  Advanced Studio Practice I Advanced Note 1
AAD73302 -  Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art Advanced
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Year 3, Session 2

AAD73303 -  Advanced Studio Practice II Advanced Note 1
AAD73304 -  Professional Practice Advanced
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes

Year 1, Session 1

AAD71101 -  Drawing Introductory
AAD71102 -  Painting Essentials Introductory

Year 1, Session 2

AAD71105 -  Printmaking Fundamentals Introductory
AAD71106 -  Sculpture and Spatial Practice Introductory

Year 2, Session 1

AAD71103 -  Design Fundamentals Introductory
AAD71104 -  Photography and Digital Imaging Introductory

Year 2, Session 2

AAD71107 -  Looking at Art Introductory
AAD71108 -  3D Printing and Fabrication Introductory

Year 3, Session 1

AAD72201 -  Studio Practice I Intermediate Note 1

Year 3, Session 2

AAD72203 -  Studio Practice II Intermediate Note 1

Year 4, Session 1

AAD72202 -  Modern Art and the Avant-Garde Intermediate
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Year 4, Session 2

AAD72204 -  Art after 1960 Intermediate
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Year 5, Session 1

AAD73301 -  Advanced Studio Practice I Advanced Note 1

Year 5, Session 2

AAD73303 -  Advanced Studio Practice II Advanced Note 1

Year 6, Session 1

AAD73302 -  Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art Advanced
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Year 6, Session 2

AAD73304 -  Professional Practice Advanced
1 unit from: Art and Design Electives or any University Wide Elective

Note 1:

This is a double weighted unit [equal to 24 credit points]

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Art and Design Core
AAD71101 Drawing Introductory
AAD71102 Painting Essentials Introductory
AAD71105 Printmaking Fundamentals Introductory
AAD71106 Sculpture and Spatial Practice Introductory
AAD72201 Studio Practice I Intermediate Note 1
AAD72203 Studio Practice II Intermediate Note 1
AAD73301 Advanced Studio Practice I Advanced Note 1
AAD73303 Advanced Studio Practice II Advanced Note 1
AAD71104 Photography and Digital Imaging Introductory
AAD71103 Design Fundamentals Introductory
AAD71108 3D Printing and Fabrication Introductory
AAD71107 Looking at Art Introductory
AAD72202 Modern Art and the Avant-Garde Intermediate
AAD72204 Art after 1960 Intermediate
AAD73302 Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art Advanced
AAD73304 Professional Practice Advanced

Art and Design Electives
AAD72205 Artists' Books Intermediate
AAD72209 Life Drawing and Figuration Introductory
AAD72210 Painting Representation and Narrative Intermediate
AAD72206 Mould Making and Casting Fundamentals Intermediate
AAD72207 Ceramic Production Intermediate
AAD73305 Advanced Digital Imaging Advanced
AAD72208 Art and Health Intermediate
AAD72211 Design Thinking Intermediate
AAD72212 Communication Design Intermediate
AAD73306 Advanced Design Advanced