Program Requirements
The Masters of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) requires completion of 96 units, which must consist of:
Master Research
The Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) includes the following courses to ensure research led objectives are met:
- 12 units of compulsory 8000-level theory courses;
- Minimum 12 units of research-led practice courses; and
- 24 unit thesis course (THES8105 Thesis)
Master Research Training
The Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) includes the following courses to ensure the minimum research training requirement is met:
- 12 units of compulsory 8000-level theory courses;
- Minimum 12 units of research-led practice courses; and
- 24 unit thesis course (THES8105 Thesis)
Capstone Courses
[THES8105]Hurdle Requirements
Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses. If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA
Admission Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 6.0/7.0.
Entry into the Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) requires completion of an interview, and successful assessment of a portfolio of works and other supporting material.
Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in THES8105 Thesis in a specified semester one calendar year in advance of the start date of that semester. Students who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor one calendar year in advance, or whose agreed supervisor either subsequently leaves the university or is on leave from the university, will be transferred to the Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design.
Once an application has been lodged, applicants are required to register for an interview and upload a portfolio on the ANU School of Art and Design website at: http://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/students/apply/postgraduate-coursework-applications
In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.
Academic achievement & English language proficiency
The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 6.0/7.0.
However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes.
If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:
• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.
Further information: English Language Requirements for Admission
Diversity factors
As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.
Assessment of qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.
Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
Application for course credits
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit.
Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit.
Cognate Disciplines
Animation, Architecture, Art History, Art Theory, Communication Design, Curatorship, Design, Digital Arts, Digital Humanities, Fine Arts, Game Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Information Technology, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Media Arts, Museum Studies, Science Communication, Visual Anthropology, Visual Arts, Visual Communication, Web Design.
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $25,410.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $39,090.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
The Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) is aimed at artists and designers who have an ambitious, independent creative practice and through incorporating research methodologies, will expand their skills and knowledge. The program extends a student’s practical, theoretical and conceptual knowledge in order to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary practices in context of how artists and designers work in a range of disciplines. Contemporary artists and designers respond to the challenges and questions that arise in an increasingly global and technologically advanced world. Their approaches are diverse, combining materials, methods and subjects that extend their chosen field of practice. Artists and designers today increasingly problem solve, collaborate with a variety of partners, and think and work outside of the traditional boundaries that distinguish a creative practice.
This graduate program is unique as it supports hands on learning development in workshop, studio and digital environments by progressing students through a range of courses and individual practice-led research opportunities. Students are encouraged to undertake a range of approaches to contemporary practice, including focusing on specialist knowledge of materials and skills, testing new conceptual methodologies, and/or solving problems through cross-disciplinary or hybrid experiences. Studio disciplines supported by the program include Design, Jewellery and Object, Textiles, Furniture, Sculpture and Spatial Practice, Painting, Photography and Media Arts, Ceramics, Glass, and Printmedia and Drawing. Students are supported with writing by the Centre for Art History and Art Theory, benefiting directly from the research environment found within the School of Art and Design.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
This program is available for applications to commence from First Semester, 2021
Employment Opportunities
The School of Art and Design is a major stakeholder in Australia’s national contemporary art sector. Students will have the opportunity to develop their professional practice by broadening their networks and building new audiences. Graduates will add new achievements to their resumes, and be able to clearly articulate their work and ideas through discussion and written text. Students may be ready to apply to higher level degrees, such as the Masters (Advanced).
Students will complete this program with a more informed and developed awareness of their practice, its direction and how it is situated within the fields of contemporary art and design practice. Graduates participate competitively in the art and design sector in order to sustain and develop an independent practice or business, or work within the creative industry sector. They will graduate with new, distinctive bodies of work or designed products; be ready for exhibition or production; and be prepared for future opportunities, including applying to residencies, collaborations, grant applications and/or awards.
This program aligns with the Australian Government’s forecast that to meet the demands of a changing workforce it is important to maximise opportunities for students in the 21st Century. [i] The VCPAD offers a flexible list of courses that require problem solving, technical knowledge and digital skills, with a focus on originality and creative outcomes at a high level. This program will extend students’ practical, theoretical and conceptual knowledge in order to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary practices in context of how artists and designers work today. Students will graduate with the necessary creative qualifications and skills contributing to different value chains and knowledge exchange in a range of industries.
[i] PwC (2016) 21st Century Minds Accelerator Program. Accessed 27 November 2018; Deloitte (2018) Tech trends in 2018. Accessed 27 November 2018.
Learning Outcomes
demonstrate a sophisticated critical understanding of contemporary art and design practices, including knowledge, concepts, skills, techniques and contexts relevant to their own practice;
plan and execute independent practice-led research utilising methodologies that test and investigate substantial art or design projects at an advanced level;
critically reflect upon, evaluate and apply theoretical, conceptual and aesthetic elements of creative practice at an advanced level in the production of creative works and/or professionally relevant projects;
communicate theoretical, aesthetic, conceptual and imaginative propositions at an advanced level to a range of audiences through independent practice-led research; and
conceive a significant research question and create a new body of work relating to their discipline.
Research Strengths
The Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) includes the following courses to ensure research led objectives are met:
- 12 units of compulsory 8000-level theory courses;
- Minimum 12 units of research-led practice courses; and
- 24 unit thesis course (THES8105 Thesis)
Further Information
Entry to the Master of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design (Advanced) requires completion of an interview and successful assessment of a portfolio of works and other supporting material including a CV/Resume; Statement of Purpose; Statement of Competency; and Image list. Before applying, applicants should consult the ANU School of Art and Design website where the requirements are listed and supporting material submission information is detailed: http://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/students/apply/postgraduate-coursework-applications
