Key facts
IELTS overall score of 6 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Develop your skills as a contemporary art practitioner through Deakin's tailor-made Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts). Through specialised studio practice and opportunities to exhibit your work in galleries and exhibitions, you’ll develop your physical, creative and intellectual capacities to engage with the world through new and traditional media. You’ll explore painting, drawing, printmaking, 3D, digital and multidisciplinary forms.
Want to experiment with expression and make a career out of adventurous, contemporary art?
From specialised studio practice and interdisciplinary learning to leading theory and critical thinking, you’ll develop the skills to be an adaptable, articulate and creative practitioner. Draw inspiration from and gain expertise in:
- digital technologies
- traditional techniques
- interdisciplinary practices
- studio practice.
Draw on the expertise of our staff, who are active practitioners and leading researchers in their fields. You’ll also engage with the arts industry through visiting specialists and professionals.
Choose to undertake work placements in art institutions, with contemporary artists as well as at major community and cultural events. You can also go overseas on an optional international study tour.
Through this course, you’ll develop transferable skills in:
- critical thinking
- collaboration
- experimentation
- technique
- visual analysis.
By coupling your major with units in other creative arts disciplines, you’ll expand your career opportunities in areas like marketing, media, and communications. Alternatively, work in arts and cultural communities when you graduate, or develop an independent studio career working towards exhibitions in commercial galleries or publicly-run arts spaces.
If you’re considering becoming a visual arts teacher, you can combine your art specialisation with further postgraduate teaching studies.
Read MoreCourse structure
Students must complete 24 credit points including:
- 10 x credit points of core units (9 units)
- 3 x course electives from list A
- 5 x course electives from list B (at least 1 unit at level 3)
- 6 x credit points of open electives (of which three must be at level 2 or 3)
- no more than 12 credit points at level 1
- 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 with at least one level 3 unit:
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 recommend students complete at least two more course elective units listed above.
Key information
2019 course information
1400515463 - 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)
Note: Geelong Waterfront campus students can take units of study at the Waurn Ponds Campus.
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
Transition to University study
The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units as electives in their first year.
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 (Visual Arts) 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.
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.
The tuition fees you pay are calculated depending on the course you choose.
The ‘Estimated tuition fee’ is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The ‘Estimated tuition fee’ is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
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
Graduates are equipped with a dynamic skill set, ready for a career in the expanding arts industries. You may find work in roles such as:
- artist
- artist agent
- gallery or exhibition curator
- arts centre manager
- art director
- videographer
- creative director
- desktop publisher
- illustrator.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
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 | Demonstrate a working knowledge of Visual Arts studio practice. Demonstrate knowledge of art theoretical and historical content through studio practice. Demonstrate particular depth of knowledge in the studio practice of painting and drawing. Adapt knowledge to analyse and interpret art and cultural products within the art world and within a broader context of cultural production. Apply discipline knowledge and problem solving skills to reflect on, engage with, and reshape cultural/societal practices |
| Communication | Express ideas and opinions cogently through oral, written, and nonverbal (visual) channels. Engage critically with ideas through technically sophisticated and theoretically informed art practice. Demonstrate an understanding of the art industry and its cultural contexts through written and oral communication. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of digital media technologies to create art works. Demonstrate a high level of skill in both the manipulation of digital technologies as well as the creative extension of such technologies Critically engage with the interaction of old and new media technologies through scholarly writing and creative arts practice. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse and interpret cultural products (including the student’s own work) and make informed judgements about their meaning, value, and efficacy. Use visual arts practice to develop self-reflexive habits that both develop and critically re-examine personally held views. |
| Problem solving | Develop skills in identifying, analysing and solving creative (ill-defined) problems through studio practice. Employ visual arts methodologies (ways of making) to define and explore new problems or re-frame existing ones. |
| Self-management | Use personal initiative and judgment to produce creative solutions to set creative briefs Demonstrate initiative and autonomy in researching, developing and solving self-directed creative problems in the visual arts. Demonstrate skills in objective critical self-assessment. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate with peers within and across disciplines to generate creative outcomes in art practice and professional situations. Effectively negotiate interpersonal and creative differences through engagement in group projects. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in Visual Arts scholarship. Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and inter-cultural issues involved in the production and interpretation of visual representations. |
| Approved by Faculty Board October 2015 | |
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