Fine art courses

Nurture your creative impulses and begin life as an artist

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Fine art

With an online fine art course, you’ll turn your passion for painting, drawing, or digital art into a paid career. You’ll also discover a world outside the studio. Learn the history of your favourite styles, and gain the skills to critique and curate the art you love. Start building your knowledge and portfolio with a short course, or dive deeper with a fine art degree. These courses are delivered 100% online by leading universities, which means you’ll have the freedom to keep working on the projects that matter to you while honing your craft.

Explore fine art courses
Image fine art
Study fine art courses online with leading Australian universities, through Open Universities Australia.

Discover fine art courses

Online fine art subjects and short courses

Curtin University

Art and Design Fundamentals

UndergraduateCUR-VAR101

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 1 Sep 2025
Curtin University

Drawing

UndergraduateCUR-VAR110

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 1 Sep 2025
Curtin University

Fine Art Studio Materials

UndergraduateCUR-VSW13

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 1 Sep 2025
Curtin University

Fine Art Studio Methods

UndergraduateCUR-VSW14

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 1 Dec 2025
View all subjects

Online fine art degrees

Curtin University

Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art)

UndergraduateCUR-FIA-DEG

A fine arts degree for truly dedicated artists

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
University of Southern Queensland

Become a professional visual artist

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Curtin University

Graduate Certificate in Arts

PostgraduateCUR-ART-GCE

Embrace your creativity and build your expertise

Study method
100% online
Duration
6 months full time or part time equivalent
Curtin University

Master of Arts (Fine Art)

PostgraduateCUR-AFA-MAS

For professional fine art skills and expertise

Study method
100% online
Duration
2 years full time or part time equivalent
View all bachelor degrees

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Fine art study FAQs

What will I learn in a fine art course?

With a fine art course, you’ll learn how to create, analyse, and present your works of art. Expect to cover different artistic styles, as well as research practices and art history.

What career opportunities are available after studying fine art?

When you study fine art online, you’ll gain the practical skills to kickstart your creative career. Your new opportunities may include:

  • Freelance artist

  • Curator

  • Arts administrator

  • Art director

  • Exhibition coordinator

  • Graphic designer

  • Art critic

Overwhelmed with choice? Our friendly student advisors are always up for a chat to help you find an online fine art course.

Can I study fine art online, or do I need to attend in-person classes?

Most fine art courses you explore through Open University Australia can be completed 100% online. There may be some options to combine online and on-campus study. When you browse fine art courses, select the ‘study method’ filter and match it to your preferences.

What types of assessments are included in a fine art course?

Assessments include essays, presentations, and portfolios. You could be making new artworks, or writing about the art you love. Online fine art degrees often include portfolio assessments, which means you’ll create and receive professional-level feedback on your art. You may also be tasked with writing a studio report, which gives you the chance to reflect on your creative process and the decisions you make in your work.

Explore fine art subject pages through Open Universities Australia to discover the types of assessment you’ll be submitting along the way.

Are there opportunities to exhibit my artwork during the course?

Depending on the course, you may have the opportunity to showcase your artwork in a final presentation, or do professional work placement in your creative field. Explore online fine art degrees to learn more about how your artwork will feature in your study journey.

Can I specialise in a specific medium, such as painting, sculpture, or digital art?

Yes, and there are several ways to do it. Short fine art courses can boost your skills in a specific medium. If you’re after something bigger, look for a fine art degree that allows you to choose a major, and you could specialise in your favourite style while completing your qualification.

Is a fine art course suitable for a career in graphic design or illustration?

Yes. While some online fine art degrees offer subjects in illustration or digital design, you’ll also find courses dedicated to these practices. Feel free to widen your search from fine art degrees to graphic design courses, animation and visual design courses, and even film and TV courses!

No matter which fine art course you choose, you’ll gain transferable skills to bring into almost any creative workplace.

Can I use my fine art course to become a freelance artist?

Absolutely. Once you’ve completed your fine art degree, you’ll have the freedom to pursue the career path that’s right for you.

As a freelance artist, you may continue to enjoy the same flexibility you experienced while studying your online fine art course. This means setting your own hours, and structuring your workday around your needs—and around those bursts of creative energy!

What is the difference between a visual art vs fine art degree?

While both are focused on the fundamentals of art and design, it could be argued the main difference comes down to the medium and purpose of the art being created.

Visual arts can be centred on conceptual skills like photography, digital media, web design, sculpture, installation and more, while fine art embraces the idea of art for the pleasure of the viewer using mediums such as painting, drawing, ceramics and print.

Both fine art and visual art help you communicate concepts and ideas artistically, to experiment with a variety of mediums, and to discover your niche while developing your personal art practice.

Student stories and study advice

How to choose electives, plus hot new picks

When it's time to pick your elective subjects, where do you even start? We asked student advisors Jayde and Puja for their top tips.

Kori's journey: from dropping out of high school to getting a degree

Like many, Kori was taught that if you don’t graduate high school, you can’t go to university—so it was a life-changing moment when he spoke to a student advisor and discovered that this wasn't true.

Why you should study art online

Studying art online might sound hard to imagine. But there can be many benefits to exploring your creativity through a virtual university short course or degree.

Is it possible to make a career in the arts?

Artist and arts entrepreneur James Voller reflects on how he made it in this competitive and creative sector, and gives advice on how you can too.

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Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

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As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

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