Start Date
February
July

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DGSP

SATAC Code
4GD102 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Degree overview

  • UniSA has over 159 Years of experience teaching visual arts, incorporating the former South Australian School of Art.
  • Gain advanced practical skills and knowledge in your chosen specialisation.
  • Develop important skills in business to ensure you succeed in your chosen field.
  • Learn in custom-built studio spaces and workshops.
  • Be taught by practicing artists, writers and researchers who have significant industry experience.
  • Build important industry networks.
  • Have access to a state-of-the-art library that has the largest collection of art, craft and design resources in the state. 
  • Use this qualification as a pathway to further learning, including Masters. 
  • Be taught by world-class leaders in research – UniSA's research in contemporary art is ranked world-class1.
  • UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

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.

Snapshot

Snapshot

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:

  • photography, digital and illustration and animation
  • painting and drawing
  • spatial and material studies in public art, sculpture, textiles, glass, ceramics, jewellery and furniture.

This qualification forms part of a nested degree, leading to a Master of Design (Contemporary Art).

What you'll learn

What you Learn

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:

  • grant sourcing and applications
  • industry associations and professional recognition
  • communication skills and marketing strategies
  • copyright, trademarks, intellectual property and taxation

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.

Degree structure

Course name Area and cat no. Units Reference  
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research Studio 1 GRAP 5005 9
Research Methods (Creative) CREA 4004 4.5
Nature, Culture and Sustainability ARCH 6005 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Research Studio 2 GRAP 5006 9
Business Practice for Artists and Designers VSAR 5006 4.5
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1,2

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. There will be essays and assignments and you could also expect:

  • presentations
  • studio projects
  • business feasibility study
  • literature/artefact reviews

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.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Global opportunities

Why Graduate Diploma in Design (Contemporary Art)

Why this Degree

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)

Real-world connections

Learn from practising artists, writers and researchers, and benefit from their industry experience and real-life connections. Our teaching staff are highly trained industry professionals with years of experience. They have strong industry links and many hold professional positions with national and international organisations. For students, this means links to industry and the opportunity to build important networks. 

UniSA also has well over 2,500 national and international industry partnerships – providing further opportunities for you to build meaningful industry relationships. The University's matchstudio learning experience offers additional opportunities for you to gain practical experience – here, you will take on real-life projects, which require liaison with real-world clients. UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Online study

Online study

Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. This means that you can:

  • study online, including accessing videos and course resources
  • participate in an interactive online learning environment
  • submit your assignments and get feedback online
  • use discussion forums for team work and communication

With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. 

Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any applicable requirements will be detailed on individual course pages.

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)

Career outcomes

Your career

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:

  • artist/designer: ceramicist, painter, illustrator, sculptor, jeweller, textile artist, printmaker, photographer, furniture designer, digital media
  • arts administrator: responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operations of an arts organisation
  • art historian: an authority on art history; you may work for a museum, library, art gallery or historical centre
  • art critic: specialise in analysing, interpreting and evaluating art

1Australian Government, Job Outlook 2020

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

  • 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

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.

More scholarships

Your study experience and support

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.

Student services

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. 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.

Student services

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.

Location This degree is delivered at the following campus.

Your program director

Mr Peter Walker

Program Director

Enquire
Portrait image for Mr Peter Walker
Portrait image for Mr Peter Walker

Mr Peter Walker

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

  • How do I apply? minus-thick plus-thick

    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

  • Is there a closing date for applications? minus-thick plus-thick

    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.

  • What credit can I receive for previous studies? minus-thick plus-thick

    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. 

  • Can I speak to someone regarding my study options? minus-thick plus-thick

    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.

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