Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Visual Arts requires completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of 2000- and 3000- level courses
The 144 units must consist of:
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning
ARTV3035 Creative Research Practice: Extending and Consolidating an Independent Project
6 units from completion of the foundation course:
ARTV1034 Foundations of Contemporary Arts Practices
12 units from completion of art history and theory courses from the following list:
ARTH2043 After the Bauhaus: Design from the Interwar Period to the Age of Climate Crisis
ARTH2044 Art and Its Context: Materials, Techniques, Display
ARTH2045 Curatorship History and Evolution
ARTH2050 Photography and Art
ARTH2052 Art of the Multiple
ARTH2056 Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia: Tradition and Transformation
ARTH2059 Art of Asia: Histories and Traditions
ARTH2061 The Postmodern and the Contemporary: World art, 1970 to the present
ARTH2080 Art and Visual Culture of the Long Eighteenth Century, 1660-1815
ARTH2081 Art of the European Courts, 1500-1815
ARTH2082 Art, War and Conflict
ARTH2097 Art of the Long Nineteenth Century
ARTH2098 Australian First Nations Art and Culture
ARTH2104 Asian Art In-Country
ARTH2162 Art in the Digital Age
ARTH2166 Individual Research Unit
ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design
ARTH2168 Renaissance and Baroque Art
ARTH2169 Introducing Asian Modernisms
ARTH2170 Contemporary Asian Art
ARTH2171 Australian Art: The Modern Period
ARTH2173 Art and the Moving Image
ARTH2174 Art, Medicine, Gender from the Renaissance until Today
ARTH2175 Across the Pacific: Australian Interactions with
American Art and Art Worlds
ARTH2176 Cross Currents in Australian First Nations and
Non-Indigenous Art and Culture
ARTH3004 City Sites: studies in art, design and urbanity
12 units from completion of introductory studio courses from the following list:
ARTV1020 Figure and Life
ARTV1021 Image and Object
ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation
ARTV1101 Ceramics: Introduction to Clay Forming and Technology
ARTV1102 Ceramics: Throwing and Surface Decoration
ARTV1201 Furniture: Shape/Structure
ARTV1202 Furniture: Elevate/Surface
ARTV1301 Glass Hot Forming Introduction: Fundamentals for Contemporary Practice
ARTV1302 Glass Kiln Forming Introduction: Fundamentals for Contemporary Practice
ARTV1403 Jewellery and Object: Introduction to Precise Miniature Construction
ARTV1404 Jewellery and Object: Maker, Wearer, Viewer, User
ARTV1501 Painting: Introducing Painting
ARTV1502 Painting: Composition and Space
ARTV1601 Hyperanalogue: the alchemy of darkroom photography
ARTV1610 PhotoVideo: Interrogating the Camera
ARTV1611 Expanded Studio Practice: Constructing Worlds
ARTV1612 Video Art: Editing and Montage
ARTV1613 Foundations of Animation
ARTV1614 Post-Digital Photography: bending the image
ARTV1703 Intaglio print: Etching & monoprinting
ARTV1704 Drawing into Print: Screen Printing and Stencils
ARTV1705 Relief print: Image and text
ARTV1803 Supports: Conceptual and Material
ARTV1804 Place, Time and Wood
ARTV1901 Textiles: Plants and Place
ARTV1902 Repeat: Pattern and Disintegration - Textile, Print, Painting
DESA1021 Precise Drawing and Model Making
DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production
DESN1003 Contemporary Design in Context
18 units from completion of intermediate/advanced studio courses from the following list:
ARTV2027 Professional Practice: Economies and Ecologies in the Australian Cultural Sector
ARTV2038 Workshop Atelier
ARTV2057 Hands On: Material Language
ARTV2059 Immersive Media
ARTV2060 Contexts of Making: Globalisation and Change
ARTV2061 Contexts of Making: Materiality and Situation
ARTV2117 Ceramics: Glaze and Colour Development
ARTV2119 Ceramics: Experimental Methods and Meanings
ARTV2120 Ceramics: Designing for the Table and Home
ARTV2124 Ceramics: Surface, Form and Connectivity
ARTV2125 Ceramics: Moulding, Casting and Digital Technologies
ARTV2207 Furniture: Support/Body
ARTV2208 Furniture: Contain/Display
ARTV2209 Furniture: Collect/Treasure
ARTV2313 Glass Kiln Casting for Contemporary Practice
ARTV2314 Glass Blowing for Contemporary Practice: Materiality and Form
ARTV2315 Glass Kiln Forming for Contemporary Practice
ARTV2316 Glass Blowing for Contemporary Practice: Utility and Narrative
ARTV2401 Jewellery and Object: Making with Machines
ARTV2402 Jewellery and Object: Utility as Context
ARTV2410 Jewellery and Object: Experimenting with Process
ARTV2506 Painting: Approaches to Abstraction
ARTV2507 Painting: Painting in the Photo Digital Age
ARTV2508 Painting: Taking Your Own Direction
ARTV2509 Painting: Approaches to Composition and Colour
ARTV2605 The Photographic Document: Materiality and Form
ARTV2607 Photomedia: Large Format Photography
ARTV2608 Photomedia: Experimental Processes
ARTV2609 Animation and Video: Visual Storytelling
ARTV2610 Animation and Video: Character Development
ARTV2613 Animation and Video: Landscape and Environment
ARTV2614 Animation and Video: Non-linear Forms
ARTV2706 Printmedia and Drawing: Drawing Beyond the Line
ARTV2707 Printmedia and Drawing: Extended Etching and Relief Printing
ARTV2708 Printmedia and Drawing: Construct Meaning with Drawing
ARTV2715 Printmedia and Drawing: Typography
ARTV2717 Printmedia and Drawing: The Book as Art
ARTV2723 Printmedia and Drawing: Extended Screen Printing
ARTV2727 Printmedia and Drawing: Lithography
ARTV2801 Socially Engaged Art Practice: Authorship, Dialogue and Community
ARTV2802 Politics of Memory: Video Installation, Sculpture, Documentary and Monuments
ARTV2810 Politics of Bodies: Sculpture, Figure Modelling, Performance and Choreography
ARTV2820 Politics of Spaces: Installation, Sculpture and Spatial Practice
ARTV2821 Posthuman Sculpture Practice with Active Materials: Bronze Casting, 3D Modelling and Bio Art
ARTV2830 Automation and Autonomy: Process, Accident, Sculpture
ARTV2907 Subverting Stitch
ARTV2908 Woven Worlds
ARTV2911 Spatial/Temporal Methods
ARTV2921 Environment Studio: Field based Research and Studio Practice in Visual Arts
ARTV3031 Making Research for a Studio Practice in the Visual Arts
ARTV3032 Demonstrating research methods for a studio practice in the visual arts
ARTV3507 Open to Influence: Studio Research
ARTV3508 Painting: Materiality and Meaning
ARTV3510 Painting: Critical Analysis and Reflection in the Studio
12 units from completion of courses listed in either the ‘introductory studio courses’ list or the ‘intermediate/advanced studio courses’ list above.
6 units from completion of an advanced studio course from the following list:
ARTV3028 Developing a Contemporary Craft Practice
ARTV3033 Creative Research Practice: Developing an Independent Work Proposal
6 units from completion of an engagement course from the following list:
ARTV2027 Professional Practice: Economies and Ecologies in the Australian Cultural Sector
ARTV2909 The Public Project: engagement strategies for artists, designers, institutions and communities
ARTV2921 Environment Studio: Field based Research and Studio Practice in Visual Arts
ARTV3031 Making Research for a Studio Practice in the Visual Arts
ARTV3032 Demonstrating Research Methods for a Studio Practice in Art and Design
48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.
Unless otherwise stated, a course used to satisfy the requirements of one list may not be double counted towards satisfying the requirements of another list.
Capstone Courses
[ARTV3035]Minors
Elective Study
Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.
Study Options
Year 1 48 units | ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories 1: Cultures and Meaning 6 units | Foundation List Course 6 units | Introductory Studio Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units |
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning 6 units | Introductory Studio Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units | |
Year 2 48 units | Introductory, Intermediate or Advanced Studio Course 6 units | Intermediate or Advanced Studio Course 6 units | Art History and Theory List Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units |
Introductory, Intermediate or Advanced Studio Course 6 units | Intermediate or Advanced Studio Course 6 units | Art History and Theory List Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units | |
Year 3 48 units | Advanced Studio Course 6 units | Engagement Course 6 units | Intermediate or Advanced Studio Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units |
ARTV3035 Creative Research Practice: Extending and Consolidating an Independent Project 12 units | ARTV3035 Creative Research Practice: Extending and Consolidating an Independent Project 12 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units | ANU Elective Course 6 units |
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 guarantee entry into the program.
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.
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.
Domestic applicants
Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.
Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
o completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
o co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
o English language proficiency; and
o any program-specific requirements listed below.
Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
o previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
o English language proficiency; and
o any program-specific requirements listed below.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
o previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
o English language proficiency; and
o any program-specific requirements listed below.
Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
o ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
o English language proficiency; and
o any program-specific requirements listed below.
International applicants
Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.
Diversity factors & English language proficiency
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. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission
Additional Requirements
Entry into the Bachelor of Visual Arts is based on completion of an Australian Year 12 or equivalent, interview and portfolio. Once an application has been lodged, applicants are required to register for an interview and upload a portfolio on the ANU School of Art & Design website at: soa.anu.edu.au/how-apply/undergraduate-applications.
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded.
You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:
- applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
- undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
- achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
- not previously attempted tertiary study.
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $41,030.00
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.
When undertaking the Bachelor of Visual Arts at the ANU, you will be immersed in a program of rigorous scholarship and intensive studio practice, tailored to your aspirations and informed by internationally renowned art practitioners within Australia’s top-ranking university. You will graduate with the essential creative skills and critical knowledge to address the grand challenges of a rapidly changing world.
You will develop deep disciplinary knowledge and learn specialist skills offered across the School of Art and Design studio disciplines, including ceramics, glass, painting, photography and media arts, printmedia and drawing, sculpture and spatial practice, and textiles. You will extend your study through access to courses in the Centre for Art History and Art Theory, combined with access to electives from across the ANU.
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.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates from the ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide. Bachelor of Visual Arts graduates may find employment within Australia’s rich cultural sector and present work both in Australia and internationally.
Learning Outcomes
apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise artworks, artefacts and related forms of creative expression;
demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in the visual arts;
recognise and reflect on social, cultural and ethical issues, and apply historical and theoretical perspectives to practice in the visual arts;
develop, express and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively;
interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences; and
work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands.
Inherent Requirements
Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program.
Other Requirements
Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program.
Back to the Bachelor of Visual Arts page
Course selection
Enrolling for the first time can seem like a big task. Below, you will find an example enrolment pattern for your first year of study.
There are a few items to note:
- Courses coded in the 1000 range are appropriate for first-year students. We strongly recommend that students new to tertiary study enrol in first-year courses during their first semester.
- We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you pick your later year courses.
- The tables below represent only one possible combination. You are welcome to pick and choose from any other 1000-coded course found under the “Study Tab”.
- The tables below assume you are new to tertiary study and ineligible for course credit.
- A step-by-step guide on how to enrol in courses is available on the Enrol for the First time webpage.
Single degree
Students starting in Semester 1–single degree Bachelor of Visual Arts, example
Semester 1
Foundation course
Elective
Elective
Semester 2
Introductory studio course
Elective
Elective
Students starting in Semester 2– single degree Bachelor of Visual Arts, example
Semester 2
Foundation course
Elective
Elective
Semester 1
Introductory studio course
Elective
Elective
Other first year courses available: to find all other 1000-level courses, refer to the Catalogue of Programs and Courses. You may refine your selection on the right-hand column of the webpage.
Double degree
Students starting in Semester 1– double degree Bachelor of Visual Arts, example
Semester 1
Foundation course
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Semester 2
Introductory studio course
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Students starting in Semester 2– double degree Bachelor of Visual Arts, example
Semester 2
Foundation course
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Semester 1
Introductory studio course
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories 1: Cultures and Meaning 6 units | Foundation course | Elective | Elective |
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning 6 units | Introductory studio course | Elective | Elective |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories 1: Cultures and Meaning 6 units | Foundation course | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning 6 units | Introductory studio course | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
Academic Advice
Course credit
If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.
Other important information for new students
Please refer to the New students page. You will find all the information you require to activate your ANU email account, enrol into courses and our O week details.
Need help?
If you would like further information or advice regarding your degree, please contact the Student Office. We offer appointments, and you can reach us at students.cass@anu.edu.au.
You can also check out our in person opening hours and location on the CASS Student Office webpage.