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Bachelor of Visual Arts

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BVA

  • Course code

    3003160

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Visual Arts 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 art and design, 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 visual arts graduates have featured in some of Australia’s most prestigious art 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.

2017 is the last year the Bachelor of Visual Arts will be offered. In 2018 students can study visual arts as part of the Bachelor of Art and Design.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Apply intellectual rigour and critical analysis to complex visual arts 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 Visual Arts discipline research.

Creativity

Negotiate and develop creative and innovative responses to specific visual arts 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 visual arts ethical frameworks.

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

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a command of visual arts world views and contemporary issues relating to professional or scholarly settings in visual arts industries and communities.

Demonstrate knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in the visual arts.

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 visual arts discipline 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.

Cultural competence

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

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

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.

Core studies

  • 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 333102 053021

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

Applicants for admission shall be required to show evidence, through a portfolio review and interview, of acceptable aptitude for, and commitment to, the proposed area of study.

Credit for prior learning

Candidates who can demonstrate artistic expertise at a professional level may be granted advanced standing up to six (6) Visual Arts units from Schedule A and B provided such artistic expertise has been demonstrated within seven (7) years prior to admission to candidature.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Visual Arts degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. four (4) elective units from either the units listed in Part B or any other University- wide electives

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
Session 1
ART00621 -  Visual Arts Studio Studies I: Foundation Introductory
ART00406 -  Studio Drawing I Introductory
CAR10001 -  Creativity and Arts Industries Introductory
Session 2
ART00622 -  Visual Arts Studio Studies II Introductory
ART00601 -  Framing Modernity Introductory
ART00630 -  Design Introductory
Part-time students should complete:
either ART00621 or ART00406 and CAR10001 for Session 1
- either ART00622 or ART00601 and ART00630 for Session 2

Note 1:

This unit is double weighted [equal to 2 units]

Note 2:

four (4) electives means any University-wide electives

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
COM10110 Visual Communication and Design Introductory
ART00406 Studio Drawing I Introductory
CAR10001 Creativity and Arts Industries Introductory
ART00601 Framing Modernity Introductory
ART00498 Contemporary Debates in Visual Culture Intermediate
CUR30001 Curating Contemporary Culture Advanced
CAR10503 Arts Industry Studies Intermediate
ART73000 Studio Elective Advanced
ART00621 Visual Arts Studio Studies I: Foundation Introductory Note 1
ART00622 Visual Arts Studio Studies II Introductory Note 1
ART00623 Visual Arts Studio Studies III Intermediate Note 1
ART00624 Visual Arts Studio Studies IV Intermediate Note 1
ART00625 Visual Arts Studio Studies V Advanced Note 1
ART00626 Visual Arts Studio Studies VI Advanced Note 1

Part B

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Choose any 4 units from the following, or any 4 electives: Note 2
ART00408 Studio Drawing III Intermediate
ART10094 Digital Art and Design I Intermediate
ART10095 Digital Art and Design II Intermediate
ART10275 Digital Photography I Introductory
ART00456 Photography II Intermediate
COM00455 Online Media Design Intermediate
COM00456 Animation Theory and Practice Intermediate
COM20001 Sensory Cultures Intermediate
CUL00412 Indigenous Ways of Cultural Expression Introductory
COM10112 From Page to Production: Essential Screen Skills Intermediate
COM00439 Theory in Practice: Issues in Media Studies Introductory
COM10627 Telling Tales: Introduction to Digital Storytelling Introductory
COM00447 The Rebirth of Frankenstein: Media and New Technologies Studies Intermediate
COM00471 Professional Placement Advanced
COM10082 Film Studies: Cinema, Culture, Context Intermediate
SOY10114 Independent Project Advanced