Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVAR) - BVA

CRICOS code (International applicants): 017702G

This program is offered only to continuing students. No new admissions will be accepted. Students who are interested in this study area should consider the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts).

Contact us

Current students

Telephone 1800 007 252 (within Australia freecall), +61 7 4631 2285 (from outside Australia), email usq.support@usq.edu.au or submit a question via Ask USQ.

Program focus

This program enables students to specialise in three areas: Visual Arts Practice, in which they explore studio processes and materials, gradually narrowing students’ focus from an initial involvement in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and spatial construction to a final year concentration on one or two disciplines; Studio Project, which comprises more intensive personally designed investigations in the same disciplines or in gallery studies; and Art History and Theory, which underpin contemporary art practice.

Program aims

The aims of the Bachelor of Visual Arts program are:

• to provide the opportunity to research and practise a range of studio disciplines

• to enable the student to explore materials, processes and techniques which will contribute to a high level of material and expressive skills, perceptual awareness and independence of imagination

• to gain arts technology and craft skills, an awareness of the contemporary relationships between technology and contemporary arts practice, professional work habits and expertise in studio management procedures and the safe use of tools and equipment

• to develop an appreciation of the cultural contributions offered by the arts to society

• to foster a positive critical attitude and personal awareness and a readiness to seek new solutions to creative problems

• to provide a basic understanding of the cultural and economic consequences of art practice as it applies to Australian society by finding effective ways to utilise this practice within the community in general.

Program objectives

On the successful completion of the Bachelor of Visual Arts program, the student will:

• demonstrate proficient levels of technical skill, knowledge of materials and a responsible work ethic necessary for practice as an independent, articulate professional artist

• possess a visual awareness, imaginative independence and sensitivity of expression

• have developed artistic integrity through the integration of studio practice and theory

• have acquired the skills of critical evaluation of both personal achievement and art practice in general

• possess an awareness of the historical, critical and philosophical perspectives underlying theory and practice in the visual arts perceived in traditional and contemporary cultural and social contexts

• possess an understanding of the visual arts in relation to other forms of artistic expression in the arts industry

• have refined the ability to pursue research in visual arts practice, to document, and further explore the role this imagery plays in cultural growth of a nation/society

• demonstrate an understanding of the skills, knowledge and values provided by the University's core curriculum.

Admission requirements

Applicants will normally have completed year 12 or equivalent with a satisfactory achievement in English as well as the following:

• Interview to discuss background, interests, aims and aspirations.

• Present a reasonably broad folio of recent work completed over the past two years. The folio should show an awareness of drawing from life and an understanding of different media.

• The criteria used for selecting students includes interest, enthusiasm and purpose in studying visual arts; career aspirations; knowledge of visual arts processes and theory; demonstrated perceptual ability and handskills; critical abilities; and evidence of self-motivation, initiative and commitment.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/EAP programs.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Visual Arts program consists of 24 units, comprising three major studies and the core studies.

A summary of the units in each component of the program is as follows:

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program.

Core courses

All students must take the core courses orCMS1000 Communication and Scholarship, CSC1402 Foundation Computing, and an alternative Faculty of Arts Level 1 course from this list below:

• ANT1000 World Archaeology: An Introduction

• ANT1001 Introductory Anthropology

• CHI1000

• CMS1010 Introduction to Communication Studies

• CMS2017 Australian Television

• EDC2200 Indigenous Perspectives

• ENL1000 Introduction to Literature

• ENL1001 Australian Stories

• GER1001 Introductory German A

• HIS1003 World History Since 1500CE

• HIS1001 Introduction to Australian History

• IND1000 Indonesian 1A

• INR1000 International Relations in a Globalizing Era

• INR1001 Global Transitions and Human Security

• MUS1031

• THE1001 Introduction to History and Theory of Drama 1

• VSA1000 Introduction to Art Theory

• the course should be chosen from outside the student's majors or minor study.

Major studies

Students taking the Bachelor of Visual Arts program enrol in one major which has three strands:

• A Principal Study in Visual Arts Practice (seven units)

• A Theoretical Study (seven units)

• A Specialised Study in Studio Project (seven units).

In this section:

• Third year in 2009 Visual Arts recommended enrolment pattern
• Second year in 2009 Visual Arts recommended enrolment pattern
• Third year in 2010 Visual Arts recommended enrolment pattern

Third year in 2009 Visual Arts recommended enrolment pattern

Students currently enrolled in this program are requested to contact their Program Coordinator on +61 7 4631 1036 or email studyarts@usq.edu.au to discuss a study plan.

Second year in 2009 Visual Arts recommended enrolment pattern

Third year in 2010 Visual Arts recommended enrolment pattern