Creative arts becomes fine arts at Deakin
From 2027, Deakin’s creative arts courses will be known as fine arts. The name is changing, but the practical, industry-connected learning at the heart of these courses remains the same.
The new name better reflects what studying fine arts at Deakin is all about: developing your own creative practice through making, experimenting and exploring ideas across different disciplines.
Which course names are changing?
From 2027, the following Deakin courses will have new names:
- Bachelor of Creative Arts becomes Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Graduate Certificate of Creative Arts becomes Graduate Certificate of Fine Arts
- Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts becomes Graduate Diploma of Fine Arts
- Master of Creative Arts becomes Master of Fine Arts
Why the change to fine arts?
Professor Meghan Kelly, Head of Deakin’s School of Communication and Creative Arts, explains why the new name better represents the learning experience.
'The move to naming our courses fine arts recognises the practical, immersive, multi-disciplinary learning we offer in creative practice. We develop individual artistic practices, exploring ideas through a range of media and processes leading to career-ready graduates in arts practices.'
Already studying creative arts?
If you’re currently studying creative arts at Deakin, the name change won’t affect your course. You’ll continue studying under the course name you enrolled in, and that name will appear on your transcript when you graduate.
Studying fine arts as an undergraduate
The Bachelor of Fine Arts puts creative practice at the centre of your studies. Rather than simply learning about art, you'll spend your degree making, performing, experimenting, collaborating and presenting original work.
Choose from five majors:
- dance
- photography
- theatre
- visual arts
- writing.
Take your creative practice further
Whether you're looking to build on your existing skills or explore new creative directions, Deakin's postgraduate fine arts courses offer opportunities to deepen your practice, experiment across disciplines and develop industry skills.
Explore your postgraduate options:
Graduate Certificate of Fine Arts
Explore creative arts through cultural, social and political perspectives while developing critical creative skills.
Graduate Diploma of Fine Arts
Build sustainable creative practice and research while developing advanced skills across creative disciplines.
Master of Fine Arts
Develop your creative practice through research, critical inquiry and contemporary approaches across diverse creative disciplines.
Make, perform, experiment
At Deakin, you'll learn by doing from day one, exploring different creative disciplines through studio-based learning, digital production tools and collaborative multidisciplinary projects. As the #1 Victorian university for facilities and resources, Deakin gives you access to purpose-built creative spaces and industry-standard equipment, including dance studios, the Wardrobe Department, Black Box theatre, darkrooms and open-plan studios.
Learn from practising creatives
You'll learn from academics who bring their own creative practice and industry experience into their teaching.
‘Our teacher, Dr Ashlee Barton, has helped nurture us all as a group and has provided gentle support and guidance alongside strong, in-depth delivery of teaching,’ says Taygan, a current Bachelor of Creative Arts student majoring in dance and photography.
Taygan describes her experience at Deakin as ‘supportive and nurturing’.
Put your skills to the test
Practical learning also gives you opportunities to experience different creative roles and discover where your interests could take you.
Willow, a Bachelor of Creative Arts student, has gained experience as a performer, set designer, lighting operator, scriptwriter and director, as well as completing an internship as an assistant designer.
‘Both my seminars and internship experiences have helped me to be able to adapt to roles on and off stage.’
Prepare for life after university
Shaped by industry input, Deakin's fine arts courses offer opportunities to build career-ready skills through practical learning, internships, leadership and entrepreneurship.
You'll also have access to lifelong career support through DeakinTALENT.
Explore fine arts at Deakin
A new name, with the same focus on helping you develop your creative practice and pursue your ambitions.
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