Employability isn’t an add on it’s built in
Develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills
#1 Victorian university for facilities and resources
Why choose fine arts at Deakin
Express your individuality, challenge the norm and create without limitations. Be supported while you learn under the guidance of experienced industry professionals in Deakin's Bachelor of Fine Arts. Get amongst the next generation of dynamic practising creatives when you major in dance, photography, theatre, visual arts or writing. Immerse yourself in your practice, develop critical skills and become an agile, versatile creative.
Further personalise your degree with minors in complementary study areas like scriptwriting, theatre production, Indigenous studies and more. Explore creative mediums and experiment in Deakin’s studios and performance venues. Learn by doing with digital production tools, industry projects and collaborative productions, all while developing your interests and unique talents. Turn theory into practice and gain industry skills when you intern. Choose from 600+ employers like Art of the Minds, Siren Sport or source your own.
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Top ranking courses
Study at the #1 Victorian university for course satisfaction.
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Practical work
Experiment and collaborate in Deakin’s purpose-built studios and performance venues, using industry-grade digital tools and AI responsibly.
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Early career focus
Build your career aspirations and entrepreneurial skills from the start – network with industry, develop your personal brand, volunteer, attend conferences or take a study tour.
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Truly supportive environment
Our academics are practising professionals who will support and mentor you – that’s one of the many reasons we’re the #1 Victorian university for student support.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build a creative career across photography, writing, performance, visual arts, arts organisations or freelance practice. Develop practical and collaborative skills through projects, productions and industry experience.
Copywriter
Research, plan and write content for advertising, websites, publications and digital media. Shape messages for different audiences, follow briefs and style guides, and collaborate with creative teams.
- $90k
Typical salary in Australia
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Photographer
Plan and create artistic or commercial images in studios or on location. Work with clients, select equipment and settings, capture subjects and refine images using digital editing tools
- $75k
Typical salary in Australia
- 4.5/5
Job satisfaction
Other industries
- Acting
- Arts administration and curation
- Dance
- Education
- Publishing
- Stage management
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Fine Arts?
Built for making, this degree also develops your entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills and industry connections through internships, programs and volunteering.
Find your creative footing
Creative practice foundations
Explore creative methods, experimentation and critique across different practices, building the habits that support stronger work overtime.
Start shaping your pathway
Test what you are drawn to before you commit, with early study that helps you choose a major and decide how you will use electives or a minor.
Professional habits, early
Begin a structured employability sequence that develops confidence, collaboration and reflective practice.
Build depth and range
Major-led skill development
Strengthen technique, creative decision-making and your ability to develop work from idea to outcome, with feedback built into the process.
Broaden without losing focus
Use a second major, minor or electives to add breadth like screen production, communication or theatre production.
Creative work in context
Build understanding of audiences, platforms and professional standards.
Create, refine and graduate
Advanced creative projects
Complete your major study, finalise your advanced discipline units and any remaining electives.
Intern
Start an internship and turn theory into practice. Choose from 600+ employers or source your own with Deakin’s support.
Your professional story
Consolidate your learning into a portfolio, articulating what you do, how you work and where you want to take your creative practice next.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts, you must pass 24 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Plus 1 credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
All Bachelor of Fine Arts students are required to complete at least one major sequence from the following list:
Bachelor of Fine Arts major sequences
Students may choose to complete a second major sequence from the following list:
School of Communication and Creative Arts major sequences
- Advertising
- Animation
- Communication design
- Digital and social media
- Interactive and UX^ Design
- Journalism
- Screen development
- Public relations
- Screen production
^UX refers to User Experience
Please check the rules of each major sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.
Refer to the details of each major sequence availability and sequence notes relating to incompatibility.
- 2D practices in the visual arts
- 3D practices in the visual arts
- animation and motion graphics
- brand design
- creative advertising
- creative writing
- dance
- design for social media
- digital media
- film studies
- gender and sexuality studies
- indigenous studies*
- interactive design
- journalism
- literature
- photography
- photojournalism
- professional writing
- public relations
- public relations strategy
- publication design
- screen production
- scriptwriting
- social media
- strategic advertising
- theatre
- technical production
- UX design^
- visual effects and virtual production
^ UX refers to User Experience
Please check the rules of each minor sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.
Students are advised to refer to the details of each major or minor sequence for availability as some may be offered in campus and/or online mode only.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.
Prepare for your future by getting real world experience and the employability skills to succeed, while completing your degree. The Employability Stream is tailored to support you to be future ready. Deakin’s suite of Work Integrated Learning programs can connect you with internships, social impact programs and opportunities to extend your skills in settings across the globe.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Interpret and apply conceptual, theoretical and technical skills in the analysis and presentation of a range of artistic artefacts within areas of specialisation and across multidisciplinary contexts. |
| Articulate critical engagement with a variety of mediums, methods, techniques and strategies to present ideas, exhibitions, performances and/or practical work. |
| Critically evaluate and apply a range of information technologies, digital tools, devices and environments to support and develop ideas and creative expression. |
| Analyse and synthesise research materials through multiple sources and mediums to generate original and innovative ideas about creative work in diverse cultural settings. |
| Identify, explore and generate solutions to creative arts problems grounded in theory and/or practice. |
| Develop, manage and critically reflect upon the production and presentation of creative works in accordance with industry standards and personal learning goals. |
| Contribute in a constructive, ethical and respectful way to the collaborative production of creative outcomes. |
| Apply critical knowledge and awareness of diverse social and cultural contexts when engaging in creative arts practice. |
Approved at Faculty Board February 2022
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
Creative Arts: 1400511391 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Creative Arts (Dance major): 1400511471 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Creative Arts (Theatre major): 1400511481 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Creative Arts (Photography major): 1400511491 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Creative Arts (Visual Arts major): 1400511511 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Creative Arts (Writing major): 1400511521 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- A317
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$12,308
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Fine Arts to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.
Looking ahead to what's next?
If you don't have an ATAR, or it's been some time since you last studied, Deakin Uni Ready is a free online program that helps you build the academic skills and confidence needed for university study. The program prepares you for entry into a range of undergraduate degrees in arts, health, science or business.