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.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in 2022.
Students commencing this course in 2022 can commence their studies remotely whilst the Australian border remains closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Remote study is not available for some units of study and/or placements essential to this course and you will be required to attend in-person on campus from Semester 1, Year 2.
About this course
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.
In the final year of your degree, you have two options, Advanced Coursework OR Honours:
Advanced Coursework: Enhance your leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and increase your employment prospects. You will undertake challenging coursework and experience work outside the classroom by collaborating with other students on a substantial real-world project.
Honours: Develop deep analytical skills and prepare yourself for further research opportunities, such as pursuing a PhD. You will undertake a supervised but independent research project as well as connected discipline-based and/or research-focused coursework. Admission to the honours pathway is subject to meeting the specified WAM and additional entry requirements. Check with your faculty for details.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
Prospective domestic students apply through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth Supported Place . Refer to the UAC website for key dates.
Current students applying to transfer from one bachelor degree to another, apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the transferring courses page . Current students applying to transfer from a diploma to a bachelor degree must apply through UAC.
Portfolio requirements:
To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies you will also need to submit a portfolio of your artwork. Please refer to our Portfolio page for information about portfolio guidelines, submission instructions, and due dates.
For other useful information, visit our How to apply page.
Refer to the UAC website . Separate scholarship deadlines apply visit the scholarships webpage for details.
Semester 1 (February)
Visit the How to apply page for detailed information on if you need to apply directly to the University or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If you are a direct applicant, when you are ready to apply select the `Apply’ button on this course page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Portfolio requirements:
To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies you will also need to submit a portfolio of your artwork. Please refer to our Portfolio page for information about portfolio guidelines, submission instructions and due dates.
Closing dates
Direct applicants:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships webpage for details.
UAC Applicants: Refer to the UAC website
Semester 1 (February)
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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.
In the fourth year, you will have the option to undertake either Advanced Coursework, including a substantial final-year project, or Honours if you meet the admission requirements.
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:
