Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) offers students a pathway to Visual Arts practice, in collaboration with TAFE. As future artists, designers, educators or arts managers, students can chose from a wide range of studio options including traditional fine art media such as painting and drawing through to multimedia, design and photography.

About the course

The Bachelor of Arts (Fine­­­ Arts) at CSU includes an articulation arrangement with TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Wagga Wagga. Students wishing to undertake this pathway need to complete at least a Diploma in Visual Arts at TAFE before entering the program with CSU. Students who have previously completed the Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Fine Art also qualify to apply to the Fine Art program with CSU.

As part of the course, students will study drawing, painting and printmaking. They will have the opportunity to study subjects from illustration, photography, graphic design, or design subjects for theatre and television. To relate their studio work to the wider world of visual arts practice, students will also study art history and visual culture subjects. 

Whichever pathway you choose, Fine Art is about making artworks to communicate ideas, lived experiences, thoughts or feelings and to understand your relationship as an artist to the wider field of contemporary arts practice in Australia and internationally.

Hands-on experience

Students have individual work spaces and excellent Studio accommodation with access seven days a week. Students undertake professional exhibition practice in the Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery and other galleries across the state throughout their program of study.

Articulation and credit

Students who have completed the Diploma in Visual Arts through TAFE NSW Riverina Institute will receive credit toward CSU’s Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts). All other credit applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Professionals teaching you

The staff of the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) program at both CSU and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute offer students a wealth of experience as practicing professional artists in fields as diverse as drawing, painting, printmaking, multimedia art, photography, graphic design and illustration practice.

Staff have extensive exhibition, commissions/project and industry experience across Australia and internationally and are dedicated to guiding students in their development as emerging professional artists, designers, arts managers or future teachers.

Special admission requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed a TAFE Certificate IV in Fine Arts or an equivalent award and be enrolled in the Diploma in Fine Arts prior to enrolling into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts).

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in