Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (Jewellery and Metal)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DGAD

Fees
AUD$ 23,200 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2015

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.5]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
048556A

Entry requirements
In order to be eligible for entry, prospective students must;
a) have completed a recognised relevant undergraduate degree (eg industrial design, applied arts, visual arts, fine arts, interior design, design) from an Australian university or equivalent; and
b) submit a portfolio of work; and
c) submit a written statement of intent.

Applications may also be considered from prospective students who do not have an undergraduate degree but may have gained professional experience or other types of qualification; these applicants must submit:
a) a portfolio of work; and
b) a written statement of intent
In such cases applicants, as part of their portfolio submission, must demonstrate achievement in, and relevance of, previous higher education studies, professional experience and/or published research work.

For information on the portfolio and statement of intent click here.
English language entry requirements
In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation form the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.
English language test
- IELTS total [6.5]
- IELTS reading [6.0]
- IELTS writing [6.0]
Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Continuing students only. Prospective students please refer to our new Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Creative Practice (DGVC).

Aim

To develop, for graduates from a number of undergraduate origins or relevant professions, knowledge and understanding of the major applied and theoretical paradigms relating to their chosen specialisation. To inspire students to develop their abilities to undertake informed and critical analysis, practice and research at postgraduate level.

Content & Structure

To complete the Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (Specialisation), requires one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent, comprising 36 units: 8 x 4.5 unit courses. Of the 8 required courses, all are compulsory core; however two of the Supervised Studio courses can be replaced with two electives selected from undergraduate or postgraduate courses offered within the School of Art, Architecture and Design (or by negotiation from elsewhere in the University).
Specialisations offered include: Ceramics; Curatorship; Drawing; Furniture Design; Glass; Graphic Design; History and Theory; Illustration; Jewellery and Metal; New Media Art; Painting; Photography; Printmaking; Public Art; Sculpture; Textiles.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
AAD Research Methods	VSAR 4003	4.5
Design, Production, Presentation	VSAR 5005	4.5
Creative Research Studio 1	VSAR 5008	4.5
Creative Research Studio 2	VSAR 5009	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Business Practice for Artists and Designers	VSAR 5006	4.5
AAD Professional Management	VSAR 5007	4.5
Creative Research Studio 3	VSAR 5010	4.5
Creative Research Studio 4	VSAR 5011	4.5

Rules & notes

Notes

1. Students normally complete the Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (Specialisation) program in one year full-time or two years part-time.

2. The Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (Specialisation) forms part of a nested suite of programs leading to a Master of Visual Art and Design (Specialisation). Graduate Diploma: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time (36 units) Masters: 1 half year full-time or part-time equivalent (18 units) additional to the Graduate Diploma (54 units total).

3. Students wishing to proceed to the Master of Visual Art and Design (Specialisation) must have completed the Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (Specialisation) program.

4. Students may, at the discretion of the Program Director, undertake to substitute a maximum of two 4.5 unit courses or one 9 unit course from among those offered by Art, Architecture and Design within the undergraduate or postgraduate programs. These courses will be taken in place of two of the Supervised Studio courses, and will be selected from undergraduate or postgraduate courses offered within the School of Art, Architecture and Design. Substitute courses are available from undergraduate specialisations offered by the School of Art, Architecture and Design. Substitute courses should be chosen, in consultation with the Program Director, to expand the intellectual and professional capabilities of the student and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional and academic interest.