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 the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Wagga Wagga. Students wishing to undertake this program need to complete at least a Certificate IV in Fine Arts at TAFE before entering the second year of the program with CSU. Students completing either the Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Fine Art also qualify to continue onto 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, multimedia art, photography, graphic design, jewellery or set and costume design subjects for theatre and TV. 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 Certificate IV in Fine Arts through TAFE NSW Riverina Institute will receive 64 points credit, equivalent to the first year of the degree. All other credit applications are considered on a case by case basis.

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

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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

Session 1; Session 2