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Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Contemporary Art?
Our innovative contemporary art qualifications let you focus on an area of particular interest to you. You can choose to study ceramics, drawing, glass, jewellery and metal, new media arts, painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, and contemporary art history and theory.
As part of your studies we make sure you get lots of intensive studio time, with access to stimulating, custom-built studio spaces. You will be taught by practicing artists, researchers and acclaimed academics, and will learn in on-campus workshops and design studios.
You could also use your contemporary art qualification as a pathway to further study, for example combined with a Master of Teaching (Secondary) you can become a secondary art teacher.
Key features
- Learn in on-campus workshops and studios.
- Access a library with the largest collection of art, craft and design resources in South Australia.
- Study at a School that has it's degrees ranked in the World Top 100 for art and design1.
- We're also No. 1 in South Australia for graduate careers in creative arts2.
- Benefit from our networks and relationships with industry – locally, nationally and internationally.
- Learn from teachers and academics who are established, practicing designers.
- Gain a tertitary qualification in contemporary art.
12018 QS World Subject Rankings
2 QILT: Graduate Destinations Survey 2015 and Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016-17 – Full-time Employment Indicator. Public SA-founded universities only.
Building your career is our business. We're number one in South Australia for art and design. With 97 per cent of our assessed research at or above world class2, you can be confident that you'll learn advanced art and research skills of the highest standard.
You’ll be taught by industry professionals. Our academics have a very practical approach to learning and you’ll work on real projects and get real experience. We’ve also invested millions of dollars in new buildings and facilities, so you’ll use the latest technologies and learn in ultra-modern teaching spaces.
We’re Australia’s youngest university to receive five-stars in research3 and this excellence shines through our teaching. Our people are inspired by challenges and opportunities. We partner with local icons and international industry professionals to focus on real world projects.
1 QS World Subject Rankings 2018
2 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
3 2015 QS Rankings
UniSA offers 6 Contemporary Art degrees
Choose your level of study
World-class partners for a world-class university
We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Contemporary artists are highly creative, highly motivated, disciplined and committed. To succeed in this creative profession you need to be willing to take risks, push boundaries and experiment with materials, textures and subject matter. Careers to consider:
- artist: create original artwork; fine artists are usually self-employed, but some artists may produce work during artist residencies or may be commissioned by an individual or organisation
- jeweller: design, repair and create jewellery
- ceramicist: create ceramic objects or artwork
- arts administrator: responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operations of an arts organisation
- sculptor: manipulate hard materials to make three-dimensional artworks
- art critic: specialise in analysing, interpreting and evaluating art
- professional printmaker: create prints using a range of mediums, including film, paper or wood
- printing press operator: duties include art set-up, graphic manipulation and colour correcting documents before they go to print
Global networks
We are a globally connected university and our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Click here to find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Study at UniSA
Hear from Emma as she shares her experiences studying at UniSA and her journey as a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Glass) graduate.
What others are saying
My qualification in accounting, and applied knowledge, helped me to successfully elevate myself through the finance industry and enjoy a rewarding career in management; which in turn afforded me the chance to take my life into a very different direction during midlife. My master degree in art provided both direction and clarification to my emerging professional arts practice along with supportive networks and connections.
Janice Lane
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Master of Visual Art and Creative Practice
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*QILT: Graduate Destinations Survey 2015 and Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016-17 – Full-time Employment Indicator. Public SA-founded universities only.
A five star university
Five stars for research, teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness.*
*QS Stars rankings 2017