Graduate Diploma in Design (Contemporary Art)
Postgraduate
2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Postgraduate
2025
On-campus/Online
Alternative Entry
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated discipline, plus two years of professional experience in a related discipline, or applicants who do not have a completed degree but who have five years of professional experience in a related discipline will also be considered.
All applicants must submit a portfolio comprising a digital portfolio, curriculum vitae, statement of qualifications and a statement of intent. More information can be found here.
In addition to the portfolio, students who are submitting an application for the program via Alternative Entry without a completed Bachelor degree are also required to submit a letter of recommendation, of no more than one page in length, from a professional referee.
Related design disciplines include:
1Results in Creative Arts and Writing - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
2UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.
This unique graduate diploma will not only help you extend practical and theoretical skills in your chosen specialisation but also provide you with valuable business management skills. You will focus on developing and applying research processes and methodologies and developing skills in marketing and critical analysis. The specialised fields you can choose from include:
This qualification forms part of a nested degree, leading to a Master of Design (Contemporary Art).
This qualification provides graduates with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge, advanced research skills and valuable business skills. A key focus is on practice-based research, as it relates to your chosen specialisation. You will also study marketing and business, covering areas such as:
You’ll explore online art and design practice and online marketing, business management and self-employment practices related to the art and design industries and develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand critical research methodologies.
This qualification provides you with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge related to individual specialisations and ensures you have the necessary business management and marketing skills to succeed after graduation.
With access to facilities such as custom-built studio spaces and workshops, you will learn first-hand how to turn your creative ideas into reality. Our experienced teaching staff are also professional artists, designers, and world-class researchers1, so you can be assured that by studying this graduate diploma at UniSA you will take away industry-relevant skills and knowledge.
1Results in Studies in Creative Arts and Writing - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
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
Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design *now Graduate Diploma in Design (Contemporary Art)
Contemporary 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 artists in Australia are looking great, with strong growth in the sector1. Careers to consider:
1Australian Government, Job Outlook 2020
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.
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
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.
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.
Kveta Deans
Janice Lane
Tamara Baillie
Nazia Ejaz
Suzie Boeselt
Tamara Baillie