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:

36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ARTH1006 Art History and Curatorial Studies 1: Cultures and Meaning

ARTH1007 Art History and Curatorial Studies 2: Vision and Materiality

ARTV1034 Foundations of Contemporary Arts Practices

ARTV3033 Creative Research Practice: Developing an Independent Work Proposal

ARTV3035 Creative Research Practice: Extending and Consolidating an Independent Project (12 units)

A minimum of 12 units from completion of ARTV 1000-level courses, and/or courses from the following list:

DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production

DESN1003 Contemporary Design in Context

DESN1005 Precise Drawing and Model Making

A minimum of 18 units from completion of ARTV 2000-level courses, and/or courses from the following list:

ARTV3507 Open to Influence: Studio Research

DESN2001 Digital Form and Fabrication

DESN2002 Foundations of Creative Code

DESN2003 Creative Data Visualisation: Representing Data in Visual and Material Form

DESN2004 Autonomous Agents

DESN2006 Front-end Web: Crafting online experience

DESN2007 Design Fiction: Speculative and Critical Design

DESN2009 Typography in Context

DESN2010 Making Creative and Critical Technologies: Physical Computing for Art & Design

DESN2012 The Ethics of Making: Design for Reuse and Repair

DESN2015 Supporting Bodies: Now that we’re here, where do we sit?

MEDN2222 Exquisite Corpse - Insight into the Human Body

6 units from completion of an engagement course from the following list:

ARTV2027 Professional Practice: Economies and Ecologies in the Australian Cultural Sector

ARTV2028 Professional Practices: Internship

ARTV2909 The Public Project: engagement strategies for artists, designers, institutions and communities

ARTV2921 Environment Studio: Field based Research and Studio Practice in Visual Arts

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

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

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:

• 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
• co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:

• 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
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:

• 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
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:

• ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
• English language proficiency; and
• 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 directly with the ANU School of Art & Design for an interview and portfolio. Further information here: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/students/apply/bachelor-design-visual-art

• For program-specific requirements for domestic applicants, please click here.
• For program-specific requirements for international applicants, please click here

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.

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.

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

1. apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise artworks, artefacts and related forms of creative expression;
2. demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in the visual arts;
3. recognise and reflect on social, cultural and ethical issues, and apply historical and theoretical perspectives to practice in the visual arts;
4. develop, express and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively;
5. interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences; and
6. work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program.