Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
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- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Entry Scores
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Entry requirements
Entry into the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) (DHAD) program will be available to students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant creative discipline with an overall grade point average of 5 (credit level average) or above and who have obtained a credit level average in the final year in the discipline the candidate intends to pursue within the Honours program. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive.
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- Gain a comprehensive introduction to research training and advanced professional skills tailored to your selected UniSA Creative disciplinary focus, including Contemporary Art, Communication Design, Illustration Animation, Product Design, Cultural Studies, Film and Television, Journalism and Professional Writing, Communication and Media, Creative Writing, Social Media, Screen Studies and more.
- This Honours degree is an additional qualification that provides graduates with advanced skills, research capabilities and the capacity to adopt leadership roles in their chosen discipline.
- Access custom-built workshops and studios.
- Benefit from our networks and relationships with industry – locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Use this qualification as a direct pathway toward a PhD.
- Learn from teachers and academics who are established researchers and creative practitioners.
- Have access to a library with the largest collection of art, craft and design resources in South Australia.
- UniSA is ranked #1 in South Australia for Learning Resources in Creative Arts1 and also holds the top rank in the state for Art and Design Facilities2.
- UniSA, incorporating the former South Australian School of Art, has over 159 Years of experience teaching visual arts - our visual art and craft, and contemporary art research is ranked world-class3.
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities4, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
2ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Creative Arts – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
3Results in Visual Arts and Crafts, and Creative Arts and Writing - Contemporary Art - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
4UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
This one-year Honours degree (or two years part-time) will introduce you to high-level research and help you develop the skills necessary to engage in rigorous research and analysis in your selected creative discipline. It can be used in preparation for postgraduate and PhD studies or research and leadership roles.
You will be taught by leading researchers, academics and practitioners and have access to custom-built on-campus facilities and design studios. As part of your Honours studies, you will work on a year-long project that involves the development of a research proposal, which is then realised through investigation, exploration, experimentation, analysis and implementation. You will be equipped with research and theoretical skills, knowledge of academic writing conventions and advanced technical skills in your selected discipline, positioning you as an emerging leader in your field.
What you'll learn
You will learn skills necessary for conducting research in disciplines including Contemporary Art, Communication Design, Illustration Animation, Product Design, Cultural Studies, Film and Television, Journalism and Professional Writing, Communication and Media, Creative Writing, Social Media, Screen Studies and more. You will apply these skills to frame and develop your own research project, producing an outcome that responds to your research questions, project aims and objectives. Outcomes are visual and/or written, as appropriate for your disciplinary focus and project. Throughout your research studies you will be supervised by experienced research academics.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- research proposals
- creative artefacts
- research presentations
- a thesis or exegesis
- literature/artefact review
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Honours
The Honours degree is one year of advanced studies in research and professional practice. You will receive First Class, Second Class or Third Class Honours, depending on your performance. You will graduate with strengthened critical, creative and research skills, and a higher-level qualification than a Bachelor’s degree. Your Honours year prepares you for future professional leadership roles and/or entry to Higher Degree Research study in your discipline.
Why Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours)
Graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) degree will set you apart from the crowd, ensuring you have a competitive edge and are well-placed for a career in industry, research or further postgraduate study.
UniSA is an excellent choice for students with a specific interest in disciplines offered in the creative fields. You will have opportunities to engage with UniSA research centres and access dedicated workshops and design studios for opportunities to further develop valuable technical skills.
You will also benefit from our strong research and industry links with award-winning academics.
Graduates consistently demonstrate outstanding success in high-profile opportunities, including national and international prizes, scholarships, commissions, residencies and public exhibitions. These include the following: Helpmann Academy British School British School at Rome Residency, Guldagergaard International Ceramic Museum Denmark, National Museum of Women in the Arts Washington DC, National Gallery of Victoria, Bendigo Bank Art Prize, Institute of New Zealand Design Awards, AGDA Design Awards, and Research Training Program PhD scholarships.
Yusuf won the annual Helpmann Academy British School at Rome Residency, valued at $25,000.
The British School at Rome Residency (BSR) was an opportunity to reflect on what I had been doing and how I might take that forward on returning to Australia. My interest lay initially in Islamic geometric tile patterns such as the Cosmatesque tiles in Rome and other parts of Southern Italy. The live-in studio space at the BSR ensured that my creative practice was at the forefront of my thoughts.
After my Honours, I was awarded a scholarship for postgraduate research at UniSA and have started my PhD. The time to step away and reflect on my research interests, motivation and the intended outcomes has been invaluable.
Image credits: Mashrabiya by Yusuf Ali Hayat
Yusuf Ali Hayat
Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Your career
When you graduate with this Honours degree, you will have the advanced skills needed to take on a range of roles in creative arts, design and cultural sectors.
The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) qualification builds on the career opportunities available in your specific undergraduate discipline area. However, an Honours degree is an additional qualification characterised by high levels of motivation, discipline and self-sufficiency, which are sought after by industry, government and professional organisations.
You will also have the necessary research skills to embark on a research career by undertaking a higher degree qualification such as a Master of Research or Doctor of Philosophy.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
As an Honours student you will have access to:
- studios and workshops
- experienced researchers including members of UniSA's research centres - Creative People, Products and Places (CP3), Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE) and Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)
- the University’s collection of art, craft and design resource materials, which is the largest in the state
- Adelaide’s arts, culture and entertainment precinct, located close to our City West campus
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or 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. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
During my Honours year I undertook an internship as a Curatorial Intern at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for the Arts in Health program. This experience allowed me to develop my skills and see myself as a professional.
Lizzy Emery
Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Some of the most exciting South Australian artists are coming out of UniSA. I think it’s because the people who are teaching and mentoring us are so giving of their time and knowledge and have real-life experience to share.
Tara Rowhani-Farid
Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Leading academics talk about art, architecture and design at the University of South Australia.
Sophie Corso
Dion Wright - Intamate Detours
Dion Wright - Intamate Detours
Yusuf Ali Hayat
