Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) (BVAH) - BVA(Hons)

This program is offered only to continuing students. No new admissions will be accepted. Students who are interested in this study area should contact us.

Contact us

Current students

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

Program focus

The Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) is designed to promote the intellectual and personal growth and development of students through a progression of compatible postgraduate studies which are competitive with similar studies offered by other Australian universities. This research-based program follows on from specific Bachelor level studies. Students completing the program receive the award Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours). Specialist studies may involve one or a combination of ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture installation, textiles, gallery studies or art history/theory.

Program aims

The Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) is designed to promote the intellectual and personal growth and development of students through a progression of compatible postgraduate studies, which are competitive with similar studies offered by other Australian universities. This program follows on from specific bachelor level studies. Students completing the program receive the award Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours). Specialist studies may involve one or a combination of ceramics, drawing, painting, print-making, sculpture, textiles or art history/theory.

Honours graduates are able to enter confidently many areas of professional practice within the arts industry. While some may choose to move directly into studio practice, others will engage in further training in teaching, curating, conservation, arts administration or arts management professions, or seek to further their research experiences through higher studies. There is evidence available to suggest that teachers and other professionals with honours degrees are employed at a higher starting salary and enjoy better promotional prospects than professionals with lesser qualifications.

Program objectives

An Honours degree in the Visual Arts enables outstanding students to develop and articulate their chosen specialisation through the refinement and exploration of a specific aspect of practice across a range of studio areas. In the process, Honours students are expected to develop advanced levels of knowledge and the conceptual, perceptual and investigative skills necessary for practices in the contemporary arts industry. The program emphasises the meaningful integration of theory and practice in the visual arts, and the development of personal initiative, responsibility and professional development. Students are prepared to be competent, vital and aware researchers in their field of specialisation.

Admission requirements

Entry will be by folio presentation, academic record and interview. To undertake the Honours program in Visual Arts students must have completed an appropriate bachelors degree with a high level of achievement across the program. Candidates claiming credit for prior experience may gain entry after successful assessment and on the recommendation the Program Coordinator and permission from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

Applications for enrolment are made directly to the University using the appropriate enrolment forms available on request from the Student Administration.

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

Program fees

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) is an eight-unit program. This is made up of core and major courses. The two core courses consist of studies in Cultural Theory and Visual Aesthetics. The major is a compulsory group of six units divided across two courses which are designed to provide students with detailed specialised knowledge, practice and research skills in selected areas of their particular discipline. Final assessment usually consists of a major exhibition and supporting dissertation.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.

Recommended enrolment pattern

This program is no longer available for admission. Students currently enrolled in this program are requested to contact their Program Coordinator on telephone +61 7 46311126 or emailstudyarts@usq.edu.au to discuss an appropriate study plan.