• Ceramics
• Film and Digital Art
• Glass
• Jewellery and Object
• Painting
• Photomedia
• Printmedia
• Sculpture, Performance and Installation (SPI)

Study plan

The first year of the BVA is a mixture of interdisciplinary subjects that develop each student's theoretical and critical awareness of contemporary art practice. In the first semester students are exposed to the full suite of disciplinary areas represented at SCA and complete two transdisciplinary projects developed by a team of academic staff from different disciplinary areas. The projects entail both academic instruction and technical workshops, which give students a choice in the media they can use for the execution of their end of semester final project outcome. From second semester students will have the opportunity to begin specialisation by choosing two disciplinary areas and from second year student will select your particular specialisation and from second year you will select your particular specialisation.

The first year Contemporary Drawing program will introduce you into the fundamentals of visual research and investigation, using traditional analogue as well as advanced digital technologies, which are essential practitioners of contemporary art.

From second year you will choose electives from a suite of SCA studio-style electives, the Critical Studies suite, or other faculties’ units. You will also be able to take electives to deepen your knowledge of your own discipline.

In third year you will study units reflecting the more self-directed nature of study expected of you towards the end of your studies

Progression rules

All units of study prerequisites must be met for progression.

What is a major?

A major in the Bachelor of Visual Arts is a defined sequence of study, generally comprising specified units of study in a particular discipline area.

What is an elective?

An elective is an optional unit of study within a degree. Electives in the Bachelor of Visual Arts enable you to further tailor your study to your desired outcomes. You can select electives from Sydney College of the Arts or from other faculties within the University (subject to permission from Sydney College of the Arts) in the second and third year of study.

Course opportunities

Sydney College of the Arts has a number of faculty-specific exchange programs available to currently enrolled students at SCA after successful completion of one year of study. Only one exchange is permissible during an undergraduate degree and exchange offers are subject to a credit average and successful completion of all units of study in the semesters preceding the exchange.

Graduate opportunities

Our flexible course structure allows you to keep your career choices open right through your course. We’ll provide you with the conceptual and technical skills to work as a contemporary artist, or establish an art, media or design practice. You’ll also be well-qualified to work in a wide range of other culture-related fields, including art education and administration, curation, website and interactive design, and publishing.

Further study

Eligible students may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) or postgraduate coursework study in studio art, film and digital image or interactive and digital media. Honours graduates are eligible to pursue a higher degree by research.

About honours

The Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) provides students who have qualified for, or been awarded, an undergraduate pass degree in visual arts the opportunity to extend their potential in studio-based and written research.

As a candidate you may continue to work in the area of your undergraduate study or undertake research in a different area. You can nominate to study by either studio project and research paper or by dissertation and minor studio project. You are expected to have developed a focus and direction in your work and be prepared for working in a tutorial environment with a supervisor.

The Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) focuses on establishing your individual research practice, further equipping you for entry into professional practice or entry into the Master of Fine Arts or Doctor of Philosophy programs.

Other study options

Students from other faculties and universities can choose any undergraduate elective units of study. Students are required to obtain permission to enrol in these electives from SCA Student Administration.

Admission requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts is based on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent. To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts you will also need to submit a portfolio of your artwork. You can choose to present the portfolio at an interview or send it electronically or deliver a hard copy to SCA. A panel will assess your portfolio on the basis of your: critical skills; cultural awareness; communication skills; potential for skill development; evidence of resolved ideas; and creative thinking.

Assumed knowledge

Visual Arts and Design and Technology is recommended.

Domestic students

How to apply

You must lodge an application for the Bachelor of Visual Arts as a preference with the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Please refer to the current UAC guide or website at http://www.uac.edu.au for application deadlines.

To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts you will also need to submit a portfolio of your artwork. You can choose to present the portfolio at an interview or send it electronically or deliver a hard copy to SCA.

All applicants will receive instructions for how to apply for an interview or submit the portfolio after lodging a UAC application.

Ancillary expenses

First Year students are required to pay $200 at enrolment to cover materials used in studio project assignments. Other required materials will be the students’ responsibility. Second and third year students are expected to provide their own materials and basic tool sets which include personal protective equipment (PPE). Students can expect to spend between $1200 and $2500 for materials purchased for studio work, depending on the type of materials, area and level of study. Students enrolling in an elective will also be required to pay a materials fee.
A studio access fee is payable each year by students who choose to access facilities in additional studios. Final year students are required to make a contribution toward the cost of the Degree Show exhibition and catalogue.

International students

How to apply

International applicants may apply directly to the University of Sydney, through a University overseas representative (education agent), or, if applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3, through the Universities Admissions Centre.

To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Visual Arts you will also need to submit a portfolio of your artwork. You can choose to present the portfolio at an interview or send it electronically or deliver a hard copy to SCA.

Ancillary expenses for international students

First Year students are required to pay $200 at enrolment to cover materials used in studio project assignments. Other required materials will be the students’ responsibility. Second and third year students are expected to provide their own materials and basic tool sets which include personal protective equipment (PPE). Students can expect to spend between $1200 and $2500 for materials purchased for studio work, depending on the type of materials, area and level of study. Students enrolling in an elective will also be required to pay a materials fee.
A studio access fee is payable each year by students who choose to access facilities in additional studios. Final year students are required to make a contribution toward the cost of the Degree Show exhibition and catalogue.

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.