Program Requirements
The Masters of Contemporary Art Practices requires completion of 48 units, which must consist of:
48 units from completion of the following:
24 units from completion of research training courses from the following list:
ARTH8022 Points of View: Developing Strategies for Independent Research in Art & Design (12 units)
ARTV8041 Methodologies for Contemporary Art Practices (12 units)
24 units from completion of the research project course
ARTV8042 Situating Contemporary Art Practice with Independent Research
Capstone Courses
ARTV8042 Situating Contemporary Art Practice with Independent Research
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.
- A cognate Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5/7 OR
- A Bachelor degree or international equivalent AND a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 4/7 OR
- A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 AND a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience in a field related to the program.
Completion of an interview, and successful assessment of a portfolio of works and other supporting material is also required.
Due to course availability, international students are eligible to start this program in Semester 1 only.
Cognate Discipline
Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Art Theory, Classics, Curatorship, Design, Digital Humanities, Fine Arts, History, Museum Studies, Visual Arts
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 5.0/7.0.
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.
Cognate Disciplines
Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Art Theory, Classics, Curatorship, Design, Digital Humanities, Fine Arts, History, Museum Studies, Visual Arts
Indicative fees
Domestic Tuition Fees (DTF)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $39,870.00
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 Art Practices is aimed at artists who want to develop a more ambitious, independent contemporary art practice. 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 work in a range of disciplines. Contemporary artists 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 practice. Artists today increasingly problem solve, collaborate with a variety of partners, and think and work outside of the traditional boundaries that distinguish a contemporary practice. This graduate program is unique as it supports hands on learning development in workshop, studio and digital environments by progressing students through courses that support individual practice-led research opportunities. Students are encouraged to undertake a range of approaches to contemporary art practice, including a focus on specialist knowledge of materials and skills, testing new conceptual methodologies, and/or solving problems through cross-disciplinary or hybrid experiences. Students benefit directly from and contribute to 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, 2022
Employment Opportunities
The School of Art and Design is a major stakeholder in Australia’s national contemporary art sector. SOAD graduates participate in and contribute to the arts, sustaining and developing an independent practice or business, or work within the creative industry sector. MCAP students will have the opportunity to develop their professional practice by broadening their networks, build new audiences and graduate with a competitive edge. Students will complete this program with a more informed and developed awareness of their art practice, its direction and how it is situated within the fields of contemporary art and practice-led research. They will graduate with new, distinctive bodies of work; be ready for exhibition or production; and be prepared for future opportunities, including applying to residencies, collaborations, grant applications and/or awards. Students may be ready to apply to higher level degrees, such as the Masters (Advanced). 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] This program will extend students’ practical, theoretical and conceptual knowledge in order to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary art practices in context of how artists 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 critical understanding of contemporary art 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 projects at an advanced level;
critically reflect upon, evaluate and apply theoretical, conceptual and aesthetic elements of art practice in the production of creative works and/or professionally relevant projects; and
communicate theoretical, aesthetic, conceptual and imaginative propositions to a range of audiences through independent practice-led research.
Inherent Requirements
Entry to the Master of Contemporary Art Practices requires completion of an interview and successful assessment of a portfolio of works that demonstrates the candidate has a working knowledge of contemporary art practices. Other supporting material required includes a CV/Resume; Statement of Purpose; Statement of Competency; and Image list.
Further Information
Entry to the Master of Contemporary Art Practices 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 ad 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
Are you interested in the advanced version of this degree? See here for further details.
