Program Overview

Major: Visual Arts

The Visual Arts major provides a mix of studio-based fine art and art and design history and theory electives. Emphasis is placed on students experiencing a range of professional practice opportunities such as entering their work in art competitions, writing publish-ready interviews, articles and art reviews and presenting their artwork in group exhibitions in the ACU gallery. Students are trained by staff who are active practitioners in their field and benefit from small class sizes in an intimate studio environment. Students on an education pathway choose units in the visual arts major that will prepare them for primary and secondary level teaching. The art history and theory units have resulted in career outcomes as freelance art reviewers, educational officers in galleries and research assistant positions in academia. The practical art units have resulted in students working toward solo exhibitions and curating group shows of their peers' work in artist-run spaces.

Credit Points

80

Major Available At

• Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Strathfield

Additional Information

The Visual Arts major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the visual arts, including fine art, art history, and design. The major is available at the Brisbane, Melbourne, and Strathfield campuses.

Admission Requirements

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Completion Requirements

A student must complete 80 cp of the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:

• at least 10 cp from 100-level units (Part A)
• at least 40 cp from 200-level units (Part B)
• at least 20 cp from 300-level units (Part C) *Students in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary and Special Education) must complete 60 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of no more than 2 units at 100-level and at least 2 units at 300-level. *Students may not include more than 20cp of Graphic Design units within the Visual Arts Major

Schedule of Unit Offerings

Part A: 100-level Units

Complete at least 10 credit points from the following:

• ARTS109 Drawing (10 CP)
• ARTS112 Art in the Early 20th Century (10 CP)
• DESN120 Graphic Design Thinking (10 CP)

Part B: 200-level Units

Complete at least 40 credit points from the following:

• ARTS226 Video / Installation (10 CP)
• ARTS236 Ceramics/Multimedia (10 CP)
• ARTS237 Postmodern Art in the 20th Century (10 CP)
• ARTS238 Photography (10 CP)
• ARTS241 Painting (10 CP)
• ARTS245 Printmaking (10 CP)
• ARTS246 Sculptural Practice (10 CP)
• ARTS247 Renaissance to Romanticism in Art and Architecture (10 CP)
• DESN227 Web Design (10 CP)
• DESN240 Design for Multimedia (10 CP)
• DESN242 Design for Publication (10 CP)
• DESN243 Design for Visual Storytelling (10 CP)
• DESN244 Design for Social Media (10 CP)
• HUMA252 Art, Politics and Society in Renaissance and Baroque Rome (10 CP)
• HUMA253 The Art of France From Empire to Modernity (10 CP) Students may not include more than 20cp of Graphic Design units within the Visual Arts Major

Part C: 300-level Units

Complete at least 20 credit points from the following:

• ARTS332 Self-Directed Studio (10 CP)
• ARTS340 Visual Arts and Design Major Project (10 CP)
• ARTS325 Professional Practice (10 CP)
• ARTS330 Internship (10 CP)
• ARTS338 International Study Tour: Venice Biennale (10 CP)
• ARTS341 Art in the 21st Century (10 CP)
• HUMA320 Major Creative Project (10 CP) 300-level cross-credited electives Restriction requirement for HUMA320. Permission from the National Head of School or Course Coordinator is required prior to enrolling in this unit if you wish to count towards a particular major.