Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVAR) - BVA

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) which will be offered from Semester 1, 2009.

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

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, textiles (constructed and printed), and sculpture installation 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/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 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 and Media Studies

• CMS1011 Understanding Television

• EDC2200 Indigenous Perspectives for Educators

• ENL1000 Introduction to Literature

• ENL1001 Australian Stories

• GER1001 Introductory German A

• HIS1003 World History Since 1500AD

• HIS1001 Introduction to Australian History

• IND1000 Indonesian 1A

• INR1000 International Relations in a Globalizing Era

• INR1001 Global Transitions and Human Security

• MUS1031 Music History 1

• THE1001 Introduction to History and Theory of Drama 1

• VIS1011

• 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).

All courses, except for VIS1011 are available in the on-campus mode only.

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