Bachelor of Visual Arts (History and Theory)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DBVS

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 23,800 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2016

English Language Requirements

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

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
085230E

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to:

Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and

obtain a competitive ATAR, and
meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C-

Alternatively, applicants can fulfil one of the following requirements with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements, and other academic requirements for the program:

Complete secondary education qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points, or
Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above, or
Qualify for Special Entry, or
Complete a University Foundation Studies program

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

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 from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

IELTS total [6.0]
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)

Admission Requirements by Country

Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32
Norway GPA	3
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	13
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6
USA SAT (2400)	1500
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
Nepal HSEB	60
HKDSE	16
Bangladesh HSC	3.5
Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
German Abitur	3.3
India (best 4)	60

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Visual Arts (History and Theory) qualifies individuals to pursue creative practice, supported by specialised knowledge in research, in historical and contemporary art and culture and it allows graduates to undertake professional work, as well as providing pathways to further learning.

Content & Structure

Graduates of a Bachelor of Visual Arts (History and Theory) degree will have a broad knowledge of contemporary and historical visual arts practice, with specialist investigation into areas of their choosing. This is supported by in-depth studio practice, underpinned by research and theoretical investigation.

The students will complete 108 units of study comprising 36 units of specialisation in History and Theory, 40.5 units of core studio and theory studies, 27 units of visual arts electives and 4.5 units of free electives.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Foundation Studio	VSAR 1003	9
Visual Inquiry	VSAR 1010	4.5
Reading Visual Culture 1	VSAR 1100	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
AAD Specialisation 1		4.5	Note(s): 1
Visual Arts Elective 1		4.5	Note(s): 2
Visual Arts Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 2
Reading Visual Culture 2	VSAR 2100	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
AAD Specialisation 2		4.5	Note(s): 1
Visual Arts Elective 3		4.5	Note(s): 2
Visual Arts Elective 4		4.5	Note(s): 2
Australian Art: Image, Issues and Identity	VSAR 3015	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
AAD Specialisation 3	VSAR 2012	9
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3
Indigenous Art, Culture and Design	VSAR 3017	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
AAD Specialisation 4	VSAR 3005	9
Visual Arts Elective 5		4.5	Note(s): 2
Visual Arts Professional Practice	VSAR 3002	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
AAD Specialisation 5	VSAR 3006	9
Visual Arts Elective 6		4.5	Note(s): 2
Contemporary Art and Visual Culture	VSAR 3016	4.5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Ceramics
Ceramic Production Techniques	VSAR 2076	4.5
Ceramic Vessels	VSAR 2078	4.5
Drawing
Alternative Drawing Processes	VSAR 2046	4.5
Drawing Techniques for Visual Arts	VSAR 2048	4.5
Life Drawing	VSAR 2049	4.5
Contemporary Figurative Practices in Drawing	VSAR 3019	4.5
Glass
Hot Glass Techniques and Processes	VSAR 2104	4.5
Kiln Formed Glass Techniques and Processes	VSAR 2106	4.5
Jewellery and Metal
Jewellery Materials and Techniques	VSAR 2105	4.5
Processes and Forms in Jewellery and Objects	VSAR 2108	4.5
New Media Arts
New Media Art	VSAR 2018	4.5
Internet and Digital Media	VSAR 2020	4.5
Painting
Painting Media and Processes	VSAR 2054	4.5
Painting Techniques and Imagery	VSAR 2107	9
Expanded Painting Practices	VSAR 3020	4.5
Photography
Digital Photography	VSAR 2067	4.5
Black and White Photography	VSAR 2069	4.5
Printmaking
Etching and Intaglio Printmaking	VSAR 2057	4.5
Relief Printmaking	VSAR 2058	4.5
Sculpture
Installation Art	VSAR 2098	4.5
Sculptural Forms and Installation Processes	VSAR 2063	4.5
Textiles
Textiles: Fibre and Structure	VSAR 2023	4.5
Textiles: Print - Dye	VSAR 2025	4.5
Visual Arts History and Theory
Arts Writing	VSAR 2042	4.5
The Moving Image: Film, Art and Theory	VSAR 2014	4.5
Photography: The Evolution of an Image	VSAR 2066	4.5
Romanticism: From Impulse to Style	VSAR 2028	4.5
Sex, Gender and Representation	VSAR 2031	4.5
Generic
Art in Public	VSAR 2060	4.5
Introduction to Visual Art Studio	VSAR 2093	4.5
AAD Negotiated Study 1	VSAR 2038	4.5
AAD Negotiated Study 2	VSAR 2039	4.5
AAD Negotiated Study 3	VSAR 2040	9
AAD Field Experience	VSAR 2041	4.5
Contemporary Curatorial Practice	VSAR 2096	4.5
AAD Industry Internship	VSAR 3018	4.5
Expanded Spatial Practices	VSAR 2102	4.5
Experimental Media	VSAR 2103	4.5

Rules & notes

Notes

1. Students must complete a specialisation of 36 units in History and Theory. Students select 2 x 4.5 unit courses from Visual Arts History and Theory. The remaining 27 units will comprise VSAR 2012 AAD Specialisation 3, VSAR 3005 AAD Specialisation 4 and VSAR 3006 AAD Specialisation 5.

2. The six Visual Arts Electives may be selected from any of the Electives listed on the program schedule. Not every Elective course will be offered every year.

3. All students complete one free elective as part of their undergraduate program of study. Students wishing to undertake an extra free elective (which may be required for students who wish to undertake a teaching qualification on completion of the program) will need to seek approval from the Program Director

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