Why study with us?
You will be taught by practising artists, writers, and curators, and benefit from their extensive professional experience and arts industry networks.
A flexible course structure allows you to build a course in contemporary art that is adapted to your personal strengths and aspirations.
The Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies is a combined degree offered by Sydney College of the Arts (SCA), Sydney's premier training ground for contemporary visual artists for more than 40 years.
This exciting and diverse combined degree offers the opportunity to develop your visual arts specialisation with advanced coursework and a community, industry, research or entrepreneurship project. You will also complete a major from the shared pool creating a study profile that reflects your expertise in a range of disciplines.
Our majors include:
The hands-on focus of the Bachelor of Visual Arts will allow you to develop the conceptual, theoretical and technical skills you will need to succeed as a practising artist or in a range of careers in the creative industries. Taught by practising artists, writers, and curators, you will benefit from their extensive professional experience and arts industry networks.
Our flexible course structure allows you to build a course in contemporary art that is adapted to your personal strengths and aspirations while also offering the breadth and opportunities for development of a wide range of skills that will equip you for the modern workplace.
Location: Sydney College of the Arts is currently located in Rozelle. Its relocation to the University of Sydney’s main Camperdown/Darlington campus begins in 2020. Renowned architects ARM have been engaged to create cutting-edge facilities for contemporary artists at our new premises in the Old Teachers' College. Students who have commenced studies with us prior or in 2020, should anticipate completing their studies at the new facility on main campus.
In the first year of the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies you will be introduced to art practice in two-dimensional, three-dimensional and four-dimensional realms of creative practice at Sydney College of the Arts. From second year, you will select one area of emphasis through focused assessment projects. The areas of emphasis are: ceramics, glass, jewellery, painting, photomedia, printmedia, screen arts and sculpture. Your studies will be supported by tailored workshops across many areas. The art history component of the degree will help you to build research and critical skills. In addition, you will also select a major from the many disciplines offered across the University of Sydney and undertake advanced coursework and a community, industry, research or entrepreneurship project.
Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Studio Foundation 1 | Art History | Major 2 | |
| 2 | Studio Foundation 2 | Art History | Major 2 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Studio 1 | Art History | Major 2 | |
| 2 | Studio 2 | Art History | Major 2 | ||
| 3 | 1 | Studio 3 | Open Learning Environment units | Major 2 | |
| 2 | Studio 4 | Open Learning Environment units | Major 2 | ||
| 4 | 1 | Advanced Coursework | Advanced Coursework | Elective | Major 2 |
| 2 | Project unit | Elective | Major 2 | ||
Visual Arts and Design and Technology are recommended.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
You will need to include a short statement of between 200 and 250 words addressing one of the more developed projects in your portfolio. Find out more about portfolio requirements. Late submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.
You will have the opportunity to study at a number of leading art and design institutions around the world through our International student exchange program.
Our graduates can be found in a broad range of careers and roles, including:
Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study in the course, and the specific units of study in which you enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
Please note that for some courses there are additional costs in addition to the student contribution. Some of these additional costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Please consult the University's web page for more information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Undergraduate Students
The tuition fee for international undergraduate students is an indication of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount. For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Combined undergraduate degree tuition fees
For international students, for combined undergraduate degrees, a single indicative course tuition fee applies for the duration of your study in the combined degree, regardless of the units of study that are undertaken as part of your combined degree. Importantly, the single indicative course tuition fee is subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your study in the combined degree.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
