Key facts
IELTS overall score of 6 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
3 years full time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Want to document and tell stories of the world around you through images? Develop the specialist knowledge, critical awareness and confidence required to establish yourself as an adaptive professional photographer, through Deakin's Bachelor of Creative Arts (Photography). With the guidance of leading photography experts and access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, you’ll experiment, research and develop your own aesthetic sensibilities in this key medium of expression.
Do you want to use cutting-edge equipment to explore your creativity, while learning from the best in the industry?
Through this course, you’ll study photography as a 21st century tool for connectivity. Accessing professional-grade facilities and equipment, you’ll develop skills in:
- chemical and digital imaging
- portfolio creation
- project management
- visual communication
- experimental practices
- exhibition and online collaboration.
Our experienced industry practitioners and technical support staff will guide and encourage you through a combination of:
- lectures, practical workshops and demonstrations
- class tutorials and critique sessions
- gallery visits
- solo and group projects.
Guest speakers and professional practitioner presentations are a regular feature within this course and students also undertake fieldwork, industry visits and exhibitions of their own works.
Learn about the history, theory and culture of photography, and sharpen your skills through studying still and digital images, lighting design and photographic practice.
Get hands-on experience by exhibiting and showcasing your work in Deakin’s own gallery spaces, as well as through participating in external festivals, exhibitions and award programs.
Through a range of international study tours and work placement opportunities, you can gain study credits plus real-world experience. Our work-integrated learning opportunities give you a chance to build your portfolio and create valuable industry networks.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts (Photography) a student must complete 24 credit points including:
- 10 x credit points of core units (9 units)
- 3 course electives from list A
- 5 course electives from list B (at least one at level 3)
- 6 x credit points of open electives
- no more than 12 credit points at level 1
- at least 4 credit points at level 3
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18
Core units
6
Elective units
24
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Course Electives
Complete three 1-credit point units chosen from the following course electives list A:
Complete five 1-credit point units chosen from the following course electives list B:
Electives
Complete six electives, of which at least three must be 2nd or 3rd level
We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Arts (https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-arts). We do recommend students complete at least two more course elective units listed above.
Key information
1400516233 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Assessment
Assessment within the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts varies from written assignments and/or examination to practical and technical exercises and performance. In some units assessment may also include class participation, online exercises, seminar exercises and tests.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Entry information
General admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate admission requirements table.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Entry for applicants with recent secondary education (previous three years) will be based on their performance in a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, with pre-requisite units 3 and 4; a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or 20 in English other than EAL.
Applicants will be selected in accordance with the published Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for that year.
Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Entry for applicants with previous Tertiary, VET, life or work experience will be based on one their performance in:
- a Certificate IV in a related discipline OR
- a Diploma in any discipline or 50% completion of a Diploma in a related discipline OR
- successful completion of relevant study at an accredited higher education institution equivalent to at least two Deakin University units OR
- other evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent including relevant work or life experience
All Applicants seeking admission to the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Photography) will be required to complete a portfolio of work presented to a satisfactory standard.
Download our Folio-guide document to learn more about folio submission. To submit your folio please go to www.deakin.edu.au/communication-creative-arts/portfolio-applications
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library.
Cloud studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered via Cloud (online). International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as Cloud (online) study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the QILT website.
Learn more about Deakin's special entry access scheme (SEAS - a way to help boost your ATAR in some circumstances).
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2018 students (PDF, 783.5KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
How to apply
Applications for study for Trimester 1 must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC
Applications must be made directly to the University through the Course and Scholarship Applicant Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the Apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
When applying for this course, you must submit a portfolio of work in support of your application.
Frequently asked questions
Deakin runs on trimesters, what dates do they each start?
Find out more about our key dates
Am I eligible for a scholarship with this course?
Find our more about scholarships at Deakin
Can I claim recognition of prior learning (RPL) for this course?
Where can I study with Deakin?
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
Photography graduates are equipped to pursue careers as professional practitioners throughout the arts and commercial sectors. Our graduates have moved into career opportunities in roles and fields like:
- independent fine arts practitioner
- event and sports photographer
- commercial portraiture
- fashion or product photographer
- community-based arts
- gallery director or assistant.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Integrate conceptual, theoretical and technical skills in the development, production and presentation of a range of photographic practices and mediums. Synthesize and evaluate the visualization and expression of ideas and concepts within a photographic context. |
| Communication | Develop an ability to think critically and to effectively communicate concepts and ideas through photography. |
| Digital literacy | Develop skills in a range of generic and specific pre and post-production digital technologies in line with photographic industry standards. |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate and analyse specific texts and approaches essential to photographic history, theory and practice and demonstrate skills in critical self-assessment. |
| Problem solving | Develop skills in identifying and applying appropriate solutions to solving a range of problems within a specific context. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate and reflect on the development of autonomy and initiative, time-management strategies and resourcefulness in planning, decision making and creative problem solving. |
| Teamwork | Effectively contribute to the planning, coordination, management and negotiation of interpersonal and creative differences through engagement in collaborative projects to achieve a group task. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and inter-cultural issues involved in the production and interpretation of photographic practice within a local and international contexts. |
| Approved by Faculty Board January 2017 | |