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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

Do you dream of showcasing your creative work in galleries and exhibitions around the world? If so, you can take inspiration from the many Southern Cross University graduates whose careers are thriving after completing our Bachelor of Art and Design.

This internationally acknowledged degree is designed to enhance your artistic flair and develop your career options as an artist, curator or designer. Students are immersed in a rich studio experience with an atmosphere that inspires creativity with access to the dynamic arts scene of the Northern Rivers.

From our purpose-built, well-equipped studios, you'll develop your skills in painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture, digital arts and design, and drawing.

Our graduates have featured in some of Australia's most prestigious arts awards, and their work features regularly in commercial and public settings, both nationally and internationally.

You may also use this degree as a precursor to further study, through Honours and PhD, with a view to careers in research and education.

Learn more about this degree in our arts showcase.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise artworks, artefacts and related forms of creative expression

Develop, express and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively

GA2: Creativity

Apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise artworks, artefacts and related forms of creative expression

Demonstrate skills and breadth of knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in art and design

GA3: Ethical practice

Recognise and reflect on cultural, ecological and ethical issues, and apply historical and theoretical perspectives to practice in art and design

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise artworks, artefacts and related forms of creative expression

Demonstrate skills and breadth of knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in art and design

Recognise and reflect on cultural, ecological and ethical issues, and apply historical and theoretical perspectives to practice in art and design

Develop, express and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively

GA5: Lifelong learning

Work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply appropriate academic skills to communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences

GA7: Cultural competence

Recognise and reflect on cultural, ecological and ethical issues, and apply historical and theoretical perspectives to practice in art and design

Demonstrate skills and breadth of knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in art and design

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 Term 1 N/A N/A

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

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

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

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Art and Design, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 20 core units (240 credit points), and
  • 4 equivalent elective units (48 credit points). 

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to receive the Associate Degree of Art and Design after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising 14 core units (168 credit points), and 2 option units (24 credit points). 

Students may be eligible to receive the Diploma of Art and Design after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 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 Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

ARTD1001 Drawing
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
ARTD1008 Digital Fabrication
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
ARTD1002 Painting Essentials
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
ARTD1005 Printmaking Fundamentals
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
ARTD1007 Looking at Art
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
ARTD1006 Sculpture and Spatial Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
ARTD1004 Photography and Digital Imaging
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Art and Design after completing the above eight (8) units

Second Year

ARTD2010 Art Studio I
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites ARTD1005 - Printmaking Fundamentals; ARTD1006 - Sculpture and Spatial Practice; ARTD1001 - Drawing; ARTD1002 - Painting Essentials
Anti-requisites ARTD2001 - Studio Practice I
ARTD2002 Modern Art and the Avant-Garde
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
ARTD2011 Art Studio II
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites ARTD2010 - Art Studio I
Anti-requisites ARTD2001 - Studio Practice I
Elective
ARTD2004 Art after 1960
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
ARTD2012 Art Studio III
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites ARTD2011 - Art Studio II
Anti-requisites ARTD2003 - Studio Practice II
ARTD2013 Art Studio IV
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites ARTD2012 - Art Studio III
Anti-requisites ARTD2003 - Studio Practice II
Elective
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Art and Design after completing the above sixteen (16) units

Third Year

ARTD3007 Advanced Art Studio I
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites ARTD2013 - Art Studio IV
Anti-requisites ARTD3002 - Advanced Studio Practice I
ARTD3001 Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites ARTD2004 - Art after 1960 OR ARTD1007 - Looking at Art
ARTD3008 Advanced Art Studio II
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites ARTD3007 - Advanced Art Studio I
Anti-requisites ARTD3002 - Advanced Studio Practice I
Elective
ARTD3009 Advanced Art Studio III
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites ARTD3008 - Advanced Art Studio II
Anti-requisites ARTD3003 - Advanced Studio Practice II
ARTD3004 Professional Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites 240 credit points
ARTD3010 Advanced Art Studio IV
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites ARTD3009 - Advanced Art Studio III
Co-requisites ARTD3004 - Professional Practice
Anti-requisites ARTD3003 - Advanced Studio Practice II
Elective

Note 1:

STEM Option Units equip students with knowledge and skills in the discipline of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Art and Design Core
ARTD1001 Drawing
ARTD1005 Printmaking Fundamentals
ARTD1002 Painting Essentials
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
ARTD1008 Digital Fabrication
ARTD1007 Looking at Art
ARTD1006 Sculpture and Spatial Practice
ARTD1004 Photography and Digital Imaging
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Art and Design after completing the above eight (8) units
ARTD2010 Art Studio I
ARTD2002 Modern Art and the Avant-Garde
ARTD2011 Art Studio II
ARTD2004 Art after 1960
ARTD2012 Art Studio III
ARTD2013 Art Studio IV
ARTD3007 Advanced Art Studio I
ARTD3001 Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Art and Design after completing the above fourteen (14) core units and two (2) elective units by following the recommended course progression
ARTD3008 Advanced Art Studio II
ARTD3009 Advanced Art Studio III
ARTD3004 Professional Practice
ARTD3010 Advanced Art Studio IV

Electives
Select 4 electives which can either be STEM Option Units or University-Wide electives. Students are strongly encouraged to select 1 unit from the STEM Option Units. Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
INDG2010 Indigenous Health Promotion I
INFO1001 Essentials of Information and Communication Technology
COMP1001 Data Communications and Networks
COMP1002 Foundations of Computing
HLTH1005 Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
ISYS1001 Web Development I
ISYS1002 Cybersecurity
ISYS1004 Contemporary Issues in Information Technology
ISYS1005 Systems Analysis and Design
ISYS1006 Introduction to Computing for Data Analytics
ISYS2004 Business and Market Intelligence
ISYS2005 Information Systems for Accounting
ISYS3006 Business Analysis Project
MATH1001 Foundation Mathematics
MATH1002 Foundations of Mathematics and Numeracy: Numbers that Count
MATH1003 Quantitative Methods with Economics
MRNE1001 Marine Science and Management
NUTR1001 Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
PBHL1003 Foundations of Health and Health Care Systems
PHYS1002 Introductory Physics and Maths for Health Sciences
PHYS1004 Physics I: Motion, Mechanics and Waves
PROG1001 Programming I
SCIN1001 Nature of Science
SCIN1004 Earth Systems
SCIN1005 Organisms and Environments
STAT1001 Statistical Analysis
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
ERTH2004 Career Development and Professional Practice
SCIN3004 Integrated Project
ENGN1003 Engineering Technology and Design
ENGN1004 Engineering Governance
ENGN1005 Planning and Delivering Engineering Projects
MRKT2007 Digital Marketing Strategies
Note 1