Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation) (TAFESA Diploma program in Game Art)
Undergraduate
2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Undergraduate
2025
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
View full entry requirements
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.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
1Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
2UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
This unique packaged degree will equip you with the skills needed to kick-start your rewarding career in the creative and innovative world of illustration, animation and the rapidly growing field of games development and virtual world simulation.
Throughout your studies, you will gain an understanding of picture making, visual storytelling and narratives across a range of contexts using the techniques of illustration, animation and game art. You will learn a broad range of techniques needed to produce industry-standard visuals for industries such as book and comic publishing, gaming, movies, advertising, animation and design, become skilled in free-hand drawing, develop knowledge of digital software for moving and static pictures, work in on-campus workshops that are fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment.
Commencing at UniSA in their first year of study, you will undertake Semester 1 and 2 courses from Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation), where you will explore and gain the technical skills and theoretical knowledge required for pictorial development, visual storytelling and game art within international professional gaming, illustration and animation fields.
You will gain skills in:
In your second year, you will undertake the Game Art Diploma courses at TAFE SA. You will then return to UniSA, where you will complete the remainder of your degree, culminating in a personal portfolio or show reel specific to the area(s) of professional practice you choose.
You will hone your skills through experiential studio workshops, professional production, industry networking and mentorship within the program. You will also develop research and project management skills enabling you to pursue further learning through postgraduate studies.
You will also develop an understanding of current trends, technologies and professional practices, ensuring you graduate industry-ready.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
If you have a passion for all forms of game art and animation, visual storytelling, picture making and digital technologies and are interested in exploring the process of creating visual stories using static or moving images, this unique degree is a great choice.
In conjunction with TAFE SA, you will study in our fully-equipped workshops and studios located on-campus. These world-class facilities boast digital fabrication equipment such as:
You will complete your first year of study with UniSA, where you will learn the skills required for pictorial development and visual storytelling. In your second year, you will commence study at the TAFE SA Adelaide campus to begin the Diploma in Screen Studies specialising in Game Art. You will then return to UniSA for your third year, where you will complete the remainder of your studies.
Careers to consider:
games developer: develop, design, create and produce computer or video games
animator: use sequential images to produce moving pictures
graphic designer: create visual concepts and graphics; you may work in advertising, publishing, public relations or manufacturing
illustrator: development and production of pictures for a broad range of creative industry sectors, for example, publishing, design, advertising, visual art, motion film, advertising, gaming and software development
technical illustrator: design and create visual representations for use in technical publications and manuals
Additionally, this degree opens career pathways into other fields such as broadcasting and motion film, visual effects and animation, educational and science-based media, streaming web content provision, design agencies, product production (fashion, toys, giftware), evolving communication technologies such as mobile technology and virtual reality, and as independent artists developing original content, advertising and publishing.
Applying to study with us:
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
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.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
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.
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.
As a design student, you will have access to:
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.
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
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.
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.
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.
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.