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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.
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
Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
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.
Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate III or Certificate IV level
OR Work and life experience
Qualify for Special Entry, or
Complete a University enabling program or equivalent, or
Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Competitive entry into a creative degree upon successful completion.
Great start to university life, setting you up for success for further studies in the discipline you’re interested in.
Study eight courses with up to two credits towards a bachelor's degree.
Support from UniSA College staff as you build academic skills, knowledge and confidence for university study.
Graduate with new skills and a diploma qualification.
Access 100% of UniSA or UniSA Online degrees.
Snapshot
The Diploma in Creative Studies (Art and Design) is a one-year program that prepares you for university study while setting you up to flourish in the creative fields of art and design. If you don’t meet the direct entry requirements for the degree you want to study, this pathway program may be perfect for you. You’ll build academic skills, university knowledge and confidence in your first year of study, while having support from UniSA College staff to then make the transition into your chosen related bachelor's degree. Once you complete a Diploma in Creative Studies (Art and Design), you can continue your studies in the art and design fields.
You will study a combination of discipline specific courses that will develop your academic skills, along with up to two first-year courses from your related bachelor’s degree. This will give you real insight into your preferred degree and up to two study credits (conditions apply).
1. Students are required to complete the diploma within 2 years to transfer into an undergraduate degree, subject to competitive entry. Students who do not transfer into an undergraduate degree within this time will be required to apply via SATAC.
2. Commencing students may have their enrolments withdrawn if they fail to engage with their studies (Enrolment policy A48 section 4.5).
3. This program requires weekly participation in all enrolled courses. Student engagement is monitored, with a lack of participation or contact with student support services and/or the Program Director resulting in students being unenrolled from courses they have not engaged with. This action will occur in week 3, prior to census, to ensure students' future program performance (cumulative GPA) is protected.
Notes
1. Electives should be selected from the list above, aligning with the discipline area students wish to pursue in their bachelor degree. Some elective courses may have prerequisite requirements that must be met prior to enrolment. Students must discuss alternate elective choices with the Program Director to ensure they comply with the program requirements of their future bachelor degree.
2. Students intending on studying Communication Design, Illustration and Animation, or Contemporary Art should complete this course.
3. Students intending on studying Digital Media should complete this course.
4. Students intending on studying Illustration and Animation or Contemporary Art should complete this course.
5. Students intending on studying Communication Design or Digital Media should complete this course.
6. Students intending on studying Product Design should complete this course.
7. Students intending on studying Product Design should discuss their elective choices with the Program Director.
Study hours
Your study schedule will be divided into the time you spend attending classes and watching lectures as well as independent study, including your personal research and assignment work.
Assessment
Your assessments may include:
research papers
presentations
tests (in person and online)
assignments
take home examinations
group assignments
participation and attendance
examinations
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.
You will be fully supported when choosing courses within your program so that you are confident and ready to transition into your desired area of study. You can book one-on-one appointments with the helpful UniSA College staff for enrolment/study support, or access individual Program Director appointments and consultations with academic staff in the UniSA College Common Room. You will also be taught by highly experienced academics from UniSA.
You will experience elements of your undergraduate degree by completing up to two courses within a diploma. This will provide insight into how your intended study journey might look so you can make sure it’s right for you!
Online study
Studying externally (online) gives you the flexibility to study where and when you want, at your own pace. All of the courses offered through UniSA College can be studied online. You can choose your study mode when you enrol. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 digital environment, you can also:
access your lectures online, plus study and course resources
submit your assignments and get feedback
use forums and discussion boards for teamwork and communication
Further Study
After successfully completing your Diploma, you'll graduate with a standalone qualification and you can then apply for direct entry, via UniSA College, into your chosen bachelor’s degree using your Grade Point Average (GPA).
Thinking of studying soon?
2025
Ready to start your studies in 2025? You can apply to the University of Adelaide or UniSA now before continuing on to the new Adelaide University in 2026.
When the time comes to transfer, we’ll be here at every step, ensuring you’re well supported with personalised advice and a detailed study plan.
2026
Planning to start your studies in 2026? You can apply to Adelaide University directly.
Applications are currently open for international students and will open for Australian students in August 2025.
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
Students can also apply for the Diploma in Creative Studies (Art and Design) upon completion of the UniSA Foundation Studies program (DFFS) if they do not meet the requirements for direct entry.
Deferment
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.
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.
Explore a range of 100% online degrees designed specifically for online learning. With the flexibility to study when and where it suits you, there’s no need to hit pause on work or family commitments.
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
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.
This degree is delivered at the following campus.
Your program director
I am passionate about encouraging students to engage with the sciences to spark an interest in learning and discovery. I have been with UniSA since 2018 and have a background in wine making, education and microbiology. I am a strong proponent of the transformative power of education and love having the opportunity to help others begin their journey of life-long learning.
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.
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.
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.
Entry Scores The rules and values that specify the level of attainment required to qualify for consideration for admission to UniSA. Below ATAR-based represents your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors.)
