Visual Arts (Degree)

About the degree

Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies at Sydney College of the Arts will allow you to develop the conceptual, theoretical and technical skills you will need to succeed as a practising artist or in a range of careers in the creative industries.

Requirements for completion

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies, a candidate must complete 192 credit points including:
(i) 72 credit points of Studio units
(ii) 24 credit points of Art History units, of which 12 credit points must be from 1000 level and 12 credit points must be from 2000 or 3000 level.
(iii) A major from Table S, excluding the Visual Arts major
(iv) 12 credit points of Open Learning Environment units from Table O
(v) a minimum of 24 credit points at 4000 level from this table
(vi) elective units from this table, Table O or Table S where appropriate

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Visual Arts, a candidate must complete 144 credit points including:
(i) 72 credit points of Studio units
(ii) 24 credit points of Art History units, of which 12 credit points must be from 1000 level and 12 credit points must be from 2000 or 3000 level
(iii) 48 credit points from Elective units in this table, Table O or Table S, which may, optionally include a minor or major, excluding the Visual Arts major or minor

First Year

In your first year you will develop your creative work and theoretical awareness of contemporary art practice. Learning about materials and methods appropriate for your work, and develop the technical skills required to make and document it successfully.

The first year studio units of study (CASF1001 Studio Foundation 1 and CASF1002 Studio Foundation 2) will introduce you to art practice in two-dimensional, three-dimensional and four-dimensional realms of creative practice.

You will engage in a variety of creative learning experiences and traditions specific to the particular fields of inquiry. Provisions will be made for project-based content designed to develop your conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills within a creative arts studio framework.

You will also be introduced to interdisciplinary principles and relevant theories, becoming familiar with a broad range of concepts and work methods within your merged disciplines so as to develop your own visual language, ideas and mode of expression.

You will receive four hours of academic tuition supported by a two-hour technical workshop each week.

As an introduction to art history, you will also complete two 1000-level Art History units:

• ARHT1001 Style and Substance: Introducing Art History, and
• ARHT1002 Shock of the Now: Global Art since 1900.

Your remaining units of study will be made up of a diverse range of core and elective units, including a compulsory second major in the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

Second Year

In second year, studio units of study (CAST2001, Studio 1; CAST2002, Studio 2), you will select one area of emphasis through focused assessment projects. The areas of emphasis are:

• Ceramics
• Glass
• Jewellery
• Painting
• Photomedia
• Printmedia
• Screen Arts, or
• Sculpture.

You will explore and develop your own emerging ideas and personal artistic voice. Your studies will be supported by tailored workshops across all areas.

You will also select two Art History units of study, that will assist you in building your research and critical skills. Your remaining units of study will be made up of a diverse range of core and elective units, including a compulsory second major in the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

Third Year

The primary focus of your third year studio units of study (CAST3001 Studio 3; CAST3002 Studio 4) is the consolidation of your own creative practice leading to the production of work for the graduate exhibition at the end of the third year. You are expected to work on independent and self-directed projects that continue to develop and extend ideas and approaches you initiated in second year.

In the last semester you pursue self-initiated practice to a standard appropriate for public exhibition. The studio units of study integrate theory and practice in a flexible structure that fosters experimentation across a broad range of approaches, mediums and cross-disciplinary methodologies.

In your final year, you will also select and complete electives, Art History units of study or units of study required for your second major.

Honours

The honours year allows you to extend your potential in studio-based and written research. You may continue to work in the area of your undergraduate study or undertake research in a different area.

You can choose to complete honours in Visual Arts either by studio practice and research paper; or by sole dissertation.

Your final examination will take place at the graduate exhibition at the end of the honours year. You are required to present your research paper and studio work; or dissertation with an oral examination, both to a panel of two examiners.

The requirements for honours in Visual Arts are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

36 credit points of honours units will be included in the table for 2020.

Advanced Coursework

The requirements for advanced coursework in Visual Arts are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.

Contact and further information

Undergraduate Coordinator: Dr Adam Geczy
Email:

Example Pathway

*Table S major or minor excluding Visual Arts major or minor