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
The 144 units must include:
12 units from completion of foundation courses from the following list:
ARTV1020 Figure & Life
ARTV1021 Image and Object
ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation
DESA1021 Precise Drawing and Model Making
DESN1001 Making Online: Context & Presence
DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production
COMP1720 Art and Interaction in New Media
6 units from completion of an introductory art and design history course from the following list:
ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning
18 units from completion of art history and theory courses from the following list:
ARTH2043 Modernism and Postmodernism in Art and Design: 1850-2000
ARTH2044 Art and Its Context: Materials, Techniques, Display
ARTH2045 Curatorship Theory and Practice
ARTH2050 Photography and Art
ARTH2052 Art of the Modern Print
ARTH2056 Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia: Tradition and Transformation
ARTH2059 Art and Architecture of Asia: Histories and Traditions
ARTH2061 Postmodern Sublime
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
ARTH2093 Post-Colonial Discourses in Australian Art
ARTH2097 Victorian and Edwardian Art: Australia and Europe 1837-1914
ARTH2098 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
ARTH2104 Asian Art In-Country
ARTH2160 Cartographies: Art Exploration and Knowledge
ARTH2161 Contemporary Australian Art
ARTH2162 Cyberculture
ARTH2163 Memory
ARTH2164 Theories of the Object
ARTH2165 Theories of the Image
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
ARTH2172 Costume, Fashion and Visual Culture
12 units from completion of engagement courses from the following list:
ARTV2027 Professional Practices
ARTV2028 Professional Practices Internship
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
48 units from the completion of one of the following workshop majors:
Animation and Video
Ceramics
Furniture
Glass
Hybrid Art Practice
Jewellery and Object
Painting
Photomedia
Printmedia and Drawing
Sculpture and Spatial Practice
Textiles
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.
Honours
For information about honours in visual arts, please see Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours)
Majors
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 | Visual Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | ARTV1020 Figure & Life 6 units | ARTV1021 Image and Object 6 units | ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space 6 units |
Visual Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | DESA1022 | ARTV1032 OR COMP1720; | ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning 6 units | |
Year 2 48 units | Visual Arts Major 2000 level Course 6 units | Visual Arts Major 2000 level Course 6 units | Art Theory Minor 2000/3000 level course 6 units | Elective 1000/2000/3000 level course 6 units |
Visual Arts Major 2000 level Course 6 units | Visual Arts Major 2000 level Course 6 units | Art Theory Minor 2000/3000 level course 6 units | Elective 1000/2000/3000 level course 6 units | |
Year 3 48 units | Visual Arts Major 3000 level Course 6 units | Elective 2000 level course 6 units | Elective 2000/3000 level course 6 units | Elective 2000/3000 level course 6 units |
Visual Arts Major 3000 level Course 6 units | Elective 2000/3000 level course 6 units | Elective 2000/3000 level course 6 units | Elective 2000/3000 level course 6 units |
Admission Requirements
Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Entry into the Bachelor of Visual Arts is based on ACT or NSW HSC equivalent and interview and portfolio. Australian and New Zealand applicants apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and international applicants lodge an application directly with ANU. 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.
Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:
• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.
Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.
International applicant entry requirements
International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.
The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website is HERE. Based on surveys done by thousands of students across Australia you can find out about universities that interest you, doing side-by-side comparisons.
Adjustment Factors
ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Subject and performance-based adjustments do not apply to programs with a minimum selection rank of 98 or higher. 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
- $36,480.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
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 Bachelor of Visual Arts at ANU is a practical degree which offers you the opportunity to develop and refine high-level technical and creative skills and knowledge for working with the forms, materials and technologies of a chosen studio discipline.
You can choose a major from the following range of studio disciplines: animation and video, ceramics, furniture, glass, hybrid art practice, jewellery and object, painting, photomedia, printmedia and drawing, sculpture and spatial practice, or textiles. You will have the opportunity to deepen your study through elective courses drawn from the School of Art & Design and the wider university.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates may find work as independent artists, in arts organisations, as an art teacher, in galleries or museums and in many other related fields.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Visual Arts, graduates will be able to:
- Apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise works, artefacts and 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 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
- Work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands.
Single degree
Three years full-time (144 units) - 4 courses per semester (24 units)
A Major in one of the following disciplines (48 units):
• Animation and Video
• Ceramics
• Furniture
• Glass
• Gold and Silversmithing
• Painting
• Photomedia
• Printmedia and Drawing
• Sculpture
• Textiles
A Minor in Art Theory (4 courses)
Four Compulsory Courses (24 units)
• ARTV1020 - Figure & Life
• ARTV1021 - Image and Object
• DESA1022 - Vision and Perception
• ARTV1032 - Foundation Computer Studies or COMP1720 Art and Interaction in New Media
• Eight Electives (48 units) from across ANU
Double degree
This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
A Major in one of the following disciplines (48 units):
• Animation and Video
• Ceramics
• Furniture
• Glass
• Gold and Silversmithing
• Painting
• Photomedia
• Printmedia and Drawing
• Sculpture
• Textiles
Minor in Art Theory (4 courses)
Four Compulsory Courses (24 units)
• ARTV1020 - Figure & Life
• ARTV1021 - Image and Object
• DESA1022 - Vision and Perception
• ARTV1032 - Foundation Computer Studies or COMP1720 Art and Interaction in New Media
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Visual Art program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take one major from the listed disciplines (8 courses), the Art Theory minor and the four compulsory courses ARTV1020, ARTV1021, DESA1022 and ARTV1032 or COMP1720. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Visual Arts degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take one major from the listed disciplines (8 courses), the Art Theory minor and the four compulsory courses ARTV1020, ARTV1021, DESA1022 and ARTV1032 or COMP1720.
Enrolment Status
While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor
You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year
You need to enrol in courses for a Visual Arts major
You need to enrol in courses for the Art Theory minor
You need to enrol in the four compulsory courses
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Visual Arts half of the double degree
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTV1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
You need to enrol in the following 1000-level courses:
For your chosen major:
• One 1000-level course (6 units) in First Semester
• One 1000-level course (6 units) in Second Semester
Four Compulsory Courses
• ARTV1020 - Figure & Life in First Semester
• ARTV1021 - Image and Object in First Semester
• DESA1022 - Vision and Perception in Second Semester
• ARTV1032 - Foundation Computer Studies in Second Semester or COMP1720 Art and Interaction in New Media
For your Art Theory Minor:
• ARTH1006 - Art and Design Histories: Form and Space in First Semester
• ARTH1007 - Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning in Second Semester
Electives
Single Degree
You will not have room to enrol in electives in your first year. Later in your degree you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors.
Study Options
Bachelor of Visual Arts - Single Degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Visual Art.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Visual Arts Major 1000 level course 6 units | ARTV1020 Figure & Life 6 units | ARTV1021 Image and Object 6 units | ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space 6 units |
Visual Arts Major 1000 level course 6 units | DESA1022 | ARTV1032 OR COMP1720; | ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning 6 units |