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.
Choose from a wide range of electives in contemporary art or in the many disciplines offered across other faculties of the University.
This hands-on degree is focused on providing you with the conceptual, theoretical and technical skills you need to succeed as a practising artist or in a range of careers in the creative industries.
You will be taught by practising artists, writers and curators, whose extensive professional experience and arts industry networks will be of enormous benefit to you. You will be encouraged to work across disciplinary boundaries to realise your ideas. Your studies will be supported by tailored workshops across many areas including ceramics, glass, jewellery, painting, photography, print media, screen arts and sculpture.
The art history component of the degree will help you to build research and critical skills. In addition, the degree offers a wide range of electives in contemporary art.
You will also have a choice to complete a major or a minor from the University's shared pool or benefit from an extensive range of electives in contemporary art.
Our flexible course structure allows you to build a course in contemporary art that is adapted to your personal strengths and aspirations.
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 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. . In 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. You will explore and develop your own emerging ideas and personal artistic voice. The primary focus of third year is the consolidation of your own creative practice leading to the production of work for the graduate exhibition at the end of the year.
Bachelor of Visual Arts
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Studio Foundation 1 | Style and Substance: Introducing Art History | Major/Elective | |
| 2 | Studio Foundation 2 | Shock of the Now: Global Art since 1900 | Major/Elective | ||
| 2 | 1 | Studio 1 | Art History | Major/Elective | |
| 2 | Studio 2 | Major/Elective | Major/Elective | ||
| 3 | 1 | Studio 3 | Art History | Major/Elective | |
| 2 | Studio 4 | Major/Elective | Major/Elective | ||
Visual Arts and Design and Technology is 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.
Sydney College of the Arts students have the opportunity to study at a number of leading art and design institutions around the world through our International student exchange program.
Bachelor of Advanced Studies
You can also choose to combine your Bachelor of Visual Arts degree with the Bachelor of Advanced Studies. In the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, you can complete a second major, combine studies from a range of disciplines, undertake advanced coursework, and get involved in cross-disciplinary community, professional, research or entrepreneurial project work
Our flexible course structure allows you to build a course in contemporary art that is adapted to your personal strengths and aspirations.
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.
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.
