University of Sydney Handbooks - 2011 Archive

Download full 2011 archive Page archived at: Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:21:47 +1000
You are here: Home / Sydney College of the Arts / Postgraduate coursework / Master of Studio Art

Master of Studio Art

The Master of Studio Art (MSA) is a one-year, full-time course structured over two semesters and may be undertaken on a part-time basis.

The MSA aims to provide visual artists with conceptual and technical skills to consolidate, extend and contextualize their contemporary arts practice. It is intended for those engaged in the professional visual arts who wish to undertake a further degree based primarily in studio practice.

Candidates propose and develop a studio-based project in one of the SCA studios. An SCA academic adviser assists candidates in the development of their project through dialogue and supportive critical feedback.

Course objectives

The MSA course objective are:

  • to make available to professional and other suitably-qualified visual arts practitioners the opportunity to work and study in an environment dedicated to the practice and theory of the visual arts;
  • to provide an opportunity for those who want to re-engage with contemporary art practices and critical theory but who do not necessarily have the time to commit to a two-year research master's program; and
  • to assist in the development of a visual arts-based project that otherwise might not be realised due to the absence of a motivating, critically engaging environment and access to technical facilities.
Course structure and requirements

Over the period of the course, MSA candidates develop a studio project for examination. Weekly art practice group seminars, history and theory of art practice units and regular individual studio tutorials are scheduled each semester to enhance studio practice.

Candidates choose one elective unit of study per semester from a full range of postgraduate electives offered by SCA. The electives are intended as either an introduction to, or the development of, a skills base according to the individual needs of the candidate. An assessment of works completed for an elective will be delivered by a panel consisting of two SCA academic staff members at the end of each semester.

Academic Adviser

Candidates are appointed an academic adviser who monitors progress and assists in the development of the project through dialogue and critical feedback. Candidates also have access to technological facilities on the SCA campus and the support of technical staff.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on the completion of all coursework for each unit of study, the completion of associated written work and meeting of attendance requirements. At least two examiners internal to SCA will assess the studio project. Examination of the studio project will be held at the end of the course. Please refer to Chapter 7 for SCA assessment criteria.

 

Master of Studio Art


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code Course title
VC001 Master of Studio Art

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

4 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to candidature requires:
(a)
the Bachelor of Visual Arts degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution; and
(b)
the presentation of a portfolio of creative work demonstrating the ability to undertake advanced art practise and coursework.
(3)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed to be equivalent and sufficient to undertake the award.
(4)
An applicant may be required to undertake preliminary or qualifying studies, and complete such preliminary examinations as the faculty may prescribe, before admission to candidature.

5 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in
(a)
Table A: Table of postgraduate core units of study; and
(b)
Table B: Table of postgraduate elective units of study.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Studio Art a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(a)
36 credit points of core units of study from Table A; and
(b)
12 credit points of elective units of study from Table B.
(3)
Candidates may apply to the course coordinator to substitute six credit points of Table B electives with any other postgraduate coursework unit of study in the University. Permission may also be required from the coordinator of the chosen unit.

6 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.