Warning! There have been changes to the course - please refer to the transition information
Undergraduate CUR-FIA-DEG-2023
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art)
A fine arts degree for truly dedicated artists
Contribute to society’s artistic and aesthetic needs. Major in Fine Art for a demanding, but rewarding, profession as a fine artist. This art degree calls for a high level of creativity, self-discipline, dedication and a capacity for self-criticism.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
24
Price
From
$31,600
Study method
100% Online
Assessments
100% online
CSP Available
Yes
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 13 Aug 23
- 12 Nov 23
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
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Degree structure
Core subjects
Major subjects
Elective subjects
Degree
Degree details
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- apply discipline knowledge of creative production in both studio practice and art critical discourse; contribute to evidence based practice through visual research
- think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within visual research and studio practice
- critically evaluate visual culture, technology and literature relevant to the discipline, synthesise information from a range of sources
- demonstrate effective visual, spoken and written communication appropriate to both studio practice and art critical discourse
- use and discern technologies appropriate to the production of contemporary art
- demonstrate personal awareness of a critically reflective studio practice; apply effective self-directed learning skills; sustain an engagement with visual culture and creative industries
- recognise the significance of international visual arts and cultural practice in the development of local and national professional contemporary visual arts production
- recognise the importance of cultural diversity through visual language; respect individuals from all cultures; develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in the visual arts
- work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating art relevant professional practice and leadership skills.
Graduates find employment in a wide range of fields, especially where initiative, creative thinking and critical awareness are valued. Many graduates rise to prominence as individual or collaborative professional art practitioners, while others are employed as art curators, exhibition coordinators and arts administrators in both public and private organisations.
Graduates have opportunities to build careers in cultural policy development, cultural industries, public relations and tourism.
Higher education via OUA
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
- Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.
Higher education
- Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required)
Secondary education
Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc
VET studies
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
Work and Life
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling degree entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.
Additional Information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.
Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
If you aspire to become a professional artist and want to contribute to the artistic, aesthetic and social needs of our society, the Fine Art major may suit you. The Fine Art major draws upon the diverse and complex traditions of Fine Art and calls for a high degree of self-discipline, a capacity for self-criticism and dedication to the demanding profession of being an artist. This degree aims to produce highly accomplished and knowledgeable graduates able to contribute to the artistic, aesthetic and social needs of contemporary society.
Students may choose to study the following combinations of two single majors to obtain the double major award:
- Fine Art and Visual Culture
- Digital Design and Fine Art
- Fine Art and Digital and Social Media
- Fine Art and Professional Writing & Publishing
Please refer to the respective degree pages for more details.
Recommended Study Pattern
To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.
Level 1 Single Major BA (Fine Art) – complete the following:
- APC100 Academic and Professional Communications (core subject)
- COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
- VSW13 Fine Art Studio Materials
- VSW14 Fine Art Studio Methods
- Four elective subjects
Level 2 and level 3
Single Major BA (Fine Art)
Complete four level two and four level three Fine Art major subjects AND Eight elective subjects
BA (Fine Art) and BA (Visual Culture)
Note: Students completing both the Fine Art and Visual Culture Majors concurrently must complete all common and major subjects for each of the single majors as listed in the concurrent majors structure. The combined Fine Art and Visual Culture structure allows for two electives at first year level.
The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.
Refer to the attached recommended Course Structure (PDF, 622KB)
Award Requirements
To obtain the award for the BA (Fine Art) students must complete a total of 24 subjects as follows:
BA (Fine Art)
- APC100 Academic and Professional Communications (core subject)
- COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
- Ten Fine Art Major subjects Levels 1, 2 and 3
- Twelve elective subjects
The following criteria also apply:
- It is recommended that only 4 of the 10 electives be Level 1 subjects.
- You must complete the degree within 10 years.
- You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Prior Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.
BA (Fine Art) and BA (Visual Culture)
Students completing both the Fine Art and Visual Culture Majors concurrently must complete all major subjects for each single major as listed in the concurrent majors structure.
The following criteria also apply:
- The combined Fine Art and Visual Culture structure only has space for TWO electives.
- You must complete the degree within 10 years
- You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Single major students have ten electives which may be selected from any of the following:
- Fine Art/Visual Culture subjects and/or
- Any other OUA undergraduate subjects
Please note you can only do a maximum of 10 first year subjects in your single major degree.
We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform https://students.connect.curtin.edu.au/app/ask and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
2020 Changes
Degree structure changes
From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.
Level 1:
- Two humanities core subjects; APC100, COM155,
- Two Fine Art major subjects; VSW13 and VSW14, and
- Four Elective subjects OR Two Second Major subjects and Two Optional subjects
Level 2:
- Four Fine Art major subjects; VSW210, VSW220, VSW230, and VSW240, and
- Four Elective subjects OR Four Second Major subjects
Level 3:
- Four Fine Art major subjects; VSW31, VSW32, VSW330 and VSW340, and
- Four Elective subjects OR Four Second Major subjects
Subject Changes
- Optional subjects may include VIS18 and VAR101 (previously VAR100). Students who have previously completed VIS18 and VAR100 as core subjects will have these credited to their degree of study.
- VSW25, VSW26, VSW27 and VSW28 will no longer be offered in 2020. Students who wish to continue studying the sculpture Fine Art stream will be able to do so in subjects VSW210, VSW220, VSW230 and VSW240. Students who have previously completed these subjects will have them credited to their degree as major or elective subjects.
- VSW210, VSW220, VSW230 and VSW240 have been developed to allow to choose either Painting OR Sculpture as their major studio focus.
- VSW33 will be deactivated in 2020, and will be replaced with VSW330.
- VSW330 will offer students a broadening of subject outcomes to include both theoretical and practical perspectives in the production of art. Students who have previously completed VSW33 should not enroll in this subject.
- VSW34 will be deactivated in 2020, and will be replaced with VSW340.
- VSW340 is the capstone subject for the fine art major where students present a final body of work that represents the culmination of their fine art studies.
- Existing registered major student will need to select subjects to complete their major degree of study in either BA (Fine Art) or registered to complete BA (Fine Art) and (Visual Culture).
Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which major structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education. Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes.
Students with enquiries please email:
Fine Art Major Coordinator Moira Doropoulos m.doropoulos@curtin.edu.au
Easy apply
You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.
Once you've checked your eligibility, apply and enrol for this degree following the steps. This degree also allows you to get started with Open access.
Select ‘Apply now’
Choose subjects to begin your application. You can choose 1 or 2 subjects to start.
Choose how you want to start
You can apply for the full degree or if you want to start with Open access, enrol into the subjects using the ‘Single subjects’ option.
You can apply for the degree later and the subjects may be credited towards the degree.
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Provide your details and select a funding option. You can pay up-front or apply for government funding in your application.
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Open access
This degree offers Open access entry, exclusive to Open Universities Australia.
There’s more than one way to get a degree. Open access allows you to start with single subjects as a way into eligible degrees, regardless of your study history.
Enrol into and complete the required Open access subjects to earn entry in this degree. Most subjects have no entry requirements, are fully government funded (if you’re eligible) and may be credited when you start the degree.
The best part? You can enrol and get started with single subjects now.