Study Master of Design (Contemporary Art) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DMSP

SATAC Code
4CM131 (Internal)
4CM208 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

Successful completion of a Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Design from the University of South Australia are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study, and are not required to submit a portfolio of work and statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Related design disciplines include: visual art; contemporary art; illustration and animation.

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Degree overview

UniSA has over 150 years of experience teaching art and design (footnote re SASA’s incorporation into UniSA).
Gain advanced practical art, design and research skills.
Develop important skills in business to ensure you succeed in your chosen field.
Learn in custom-built studio spaces and workshops.
Be taught by practising artists, writers and researchers who have significant industry experience.
Build important industry networks.
UniSA is Top 5 in Australia for Art and Design facilities¹.
Have access to a state-of-the-art library that has the largest collection of art, craft and design resources in the state.
Use this qualification as a pathway to further study.
Our curriculum is informed by our world-class research in visual arts and crafts².
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities³, 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.

¹Ranked #3, ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Creative Arts – Learning Resources Indicator (Postgraduate). Public universities.
²Results in Visual Arts and Crafts, and Creative Arts and Writing - Contemporary Art - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
³UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

This Master degree will not only help to further extend practical skills in your chosen specialisation, but it will also provide you with valuable business management skills.

The specialised fields you are able to choose from include:

photographic, digital and graphic media, illustration and animation
painting and drawing
spatial and material studies, including public art, sculpture, textiles, glass, ceramics, jewellery/metal, and furniture.

A key focus of this degree is on the development and application of research practices and methodologies. You will graduate with the creative and critical thinking skills needed to review and analyse information. You will also develop skills in marketing and critical analysis.

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in the same specific discipline may be eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study. Applicants must submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

What you'll learn

This qualification provides graduates with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge, and invaluable research and business skills.

A key focus is on research as it relates to your chosen specialisation. You will also study marketing and business, covering areas such as:

grant sourcing and applications
industry associations and professional recognition
communication skills and marketing strategies
copyright, trademarks, intellectual property and taxation.

You will also acquire the creative and critical thinking skills needed to conduct and analyse research, and will explore online art and design practice, online marketing, business management and self-employment practices related to the art and design industries.

In your final year, you will work towards the creation of a body of work for exhibition.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research Studio 1	GRAP 5005	9		Rule(s): 2
Research Methods (Creative)	CREA 4004	4.5		Rule(s): 2
Nature, Culture and Sustainability	ARCH 6005	4.5		Rule(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Research Studio 2	GRAP 5006	9		Rule(s): 2
Business Practice for Artists and Designers	VSAR 5006	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,2	Rule(s): 2
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Masters Project 1	GRAP 6001	9
Masters Project Report 1	ARCH 5036	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Masters Project 2	GRAP 6002	9
Masters Project Report 2	ARCH 5037	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1,2	Rule(s): 2

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Electives
Arts Environment	BUSS 5218	4.5
Communication Contexts	COMM 5004	4.5
Campaigns and Crises	COMM 5005	4.5
Brand Management	MARK 5031	4.5
Principles of Sustainable Design	ARCH 6006	4.5
Professional Placement or Project	GRAP 5004	4.5
Social Media Management	COMM 5069	4.5
Managing Digital Design	COMM 5068	4.5
Communication and Media: Advanced	COMM 4005	4.5
Industry 4.0 and Society	COMM 4006	4.5
Digital Entrepreneurship	COMM 4004	4.5
Content Creation	COMM 5084	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Within a particular year students may choose to vary the sequence of study, except where there are prerequisites for courses, but they are not permitted to take two Research Studios concurrently.

2. Students who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study.

Notes

1. Electives are selected from those listed above. Electives are designed to extend and expand students' intellectual and professional abilities in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional and academic interest. A selection of electives will be offered each year, depending on staff availability and student demand. Students may choose to enrol in alternative electives with approval from their Program Director.

2. Students who have a Grade Point Average of 4.5 or more and wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available in the electives offered in any one study period may choose a research or project based individual elective with the approval of the Program Director.

3. This program forms part of a nested suite of programs consisting of 72 units as follows: Graduate Diploma in Design comprising 36 units; Master of Design comprising a further 36 units.

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. 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:

presentations
research projects
studio projects
business feasibility studies
literature/artefact reviews

There will also be essays and written assignments.

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.

Why Master of Design (Contemporary Art)

This qualification not only provides you with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge related to individual specialisations but also ensures you have the necessary business management and marketing skills needed to succeed after graduation. It will also provide you with advanced research skills.

With access to facilities in custom-built studio spaces and workshops, you will learn first-hand how to turn your creative ideas into reality. You will also benefit from our strong industry links (with the potential to undertake industry placements), industry-experienced teaching staff and academics, and national and international artists who visit as guest lecturers.

Our teaching staff are professional artists and designers, so the curriculum is practice-based and industry-relevant. You will also work alongside world-class researchers in contemporary art¹ when you embark on an individual research project as part of your studies.

The Master of Design is located at the centre of Adelaide’s City West cultural precinct with easy access to cutting-edge galleries and arts organisations, including the Samstag Museum of Art, SASA Gallery, MOD. and JamFactory.

Now is a perfect time to choose UniSA for your postgraduate study in art and design.

¹Results in Studies in Creative Arts and Writing - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

Real-world connections

Learn from practising artists, writers and researchers, and benefit from their industry experience and real-life connections.

Our teaching staff are highly trained industry professionals with decades of experience. They have strong industry links and many hold professional positions with national and international organisations. For you this means links to industry and the opportunity to build important networks.

UniSA has over 2,500 national and international industry partnerships – providing further opportunities for you to build important industry relationships. You will have the opportunity to take on real-life projects with real-world clients as part of the University’s matchstudio learning experience.

UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

This degree was the only one available in SA and had a good reputation. The external mentoring program was amazing. I was able to get feedback and support from people I really admired that I otherwise wouldn’t of felt able to approach. This pushed me to produce better work and really strengthened my approach to making and writing about my work.

Awash, 2016-2017, sugar, cotton, plywood
Image credits:
Installation view, Firstdraft, Sydney. Photo: Tamara Baillie

Tamara won the annual Helpmann Academy British School at Rome Residency, valued at $25,000.

Tamara Baillie

Master of Visual Art and Design *now Master of Design (Contemporary Art)

Career outcomes

Your career

Visual 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 concepts, contexts and materials. If you think you've got what it takes, the job prospects for visual artists in Australia are looking great¹.

Careers to consider:

artist/designer: ceramicist, painter, illustrator, sculptor, jeweller, textile artist, printmaker, photographer, furniture designer, digital media
arts administrator: responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operations of an arts organisation
art historian: an authority on art history; you may work for a museum, library, art gallery or historical centre
art critic: specialise in analysing, interpreting, and evaluating art

¹Australian Government, Job Outlook 2020

UniStart - your 100% online pathway to a degree

Just starting out on your university journey, don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, or want to refresh your study skills? Set yourself up for success and pave the way to a degree with UniStart, UniSA Online’s six-month pathway program launching in 2025.

Apply now

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

Graduate Diploma in Design
Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline

This degree is part of a nested suite of degrees, which means you may be able to exit early and graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Design.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

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.

More scholarships

Scholarship for student leadership

Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.

Learn more

International travel grants

Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

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. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those 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 campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your program director

Mr Peter Walker

Program Director

Enquire

Mr Peter Walker

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

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.
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.
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.