Handbook - Fine Arts

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Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a three-year program (equivalent full-time) designed for those who wish to thrive in and lead the future of global contemporary art and culture. Students in the BFA are encouraged to experiment with a range of artistic processes, mediums, and techniques in order to explore their ideas, curiosities and passions. Underpinned by specialised art history and theory courses, students are also grounded in the relationship between theory and practice, helping them become highly literate in the ways that creative processes intersect with critical frameworks, concepts, and ways of thinking. The BFA has two distinct majors that allow students to focus on Studio Practice or Art Theory. Both pathways feature professional practice and research skills throughout, meaning the BFA prepares students for a diverse range of professional contexts and careers in the arts and cultural sectors. For those wishing to extend their studies on completion of the degree, the BFA program is designed to provide a pathway to the UNSW one-year Honours program.

Learning Outcomes

Work independently and collaboratively to communicate artistic ideas in creative, scholarly, and professional contexts.

Leaders
Professionals

Conduct self-initiated practice-led and scholarly research to develop knowledge in contemporary art contexts.

Leaders
Scholars

Critically analyse contemporary art practice within social, political, cultural, historical, and environmental contexts.

Professionals
Scholars
Leaders

Analyse the histories, theories, and principles that inform contemporary art practice and discourse.

Scholars
Leaders

Contribute to contemporary art and culture through self-initiated projects that demonstrate an ethical and responsible awareness of diverse local and global perspectives.

Global Citizens
Professionals

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure
144 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 144 UOC as a standalone program.

Students must complete 144 UOC including 36 UOC in core courses, 60 UOC in a major, 36 UOC in free electives, and 12 UOC in General Education.

Free Electives

Students must take at least 36 UOC of the following courses.

Specialisation Requirements

Students must complete at least one of the specialisations below.

General Education

Students must take at least 12 UOC of the following courses.

Core Courses

Students must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

DART1100

6 UOC

Studio Art Practice 1

DART1101

6 UOC

Studio Art Practice 2

DART1300

6 UOC

Histories of Contemporary Art: Part 1

DART1301

6 UOC

Histories of Contemporary Art: Part 2

Level 1 or Level 2 Core Theory Course

Students must take 6 UOC of the following courses.

Level 3 Core Theory Course

Students must take 6 UOC of the following courses.

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Admission Requirements

Special Admission Requirements

Additional selection criteria for admission to this program:

Portfolio

Students whose ATAR or equivalent falls below the cut-off to gain entry to the program will be able to submit a portfolio as long as their ATAR is not less than 10 points below the cut-off. The portfolio will consist of creative work or essay, information on their background and interest in the program, and two supporting references. Applicants will be selected on the basis of a score given to the portfolio and their ATAR.

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Related Programs

Related Double Degree Programs

Bachelor of Commerce - BCom
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA3572 - Commerce / Fine Arts

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA3957 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Fine Arts

Bachelor of Science - BSc
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA3958 - Science / Fine Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - BEd (Secondary)4063 - Fine Arts / Education (Secondary)

Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA
Bachelor of Laws - LLB4759 - Fine Arts / Law

Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA
Bachelor of Arts - BA4823 - Fine Arts / Arts

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Pathways

Honours Programs

Bachelor of Art Theory (Honours) - BAT(Hons)4516 - Art Theory (Honours)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) - BFA(Hons)4526 - Fine Arts (Honours)

Post Graduate

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1292 - PhD Art, Design and Media

Master of Fine Arts - MFA2245 - Fine Arts

Master of Philosophy - MPhil2267 - MPhil Art, Design and Media

Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership - MCCL9318 - Curating and Cultural Leadership

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Award of Pass with Distinction

The Award of Pass with Distinction is awarded when a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award Pass with Distinction except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

For more information, please visit the link above.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Additional Expenses

Students may be required to purchase equipment or materials to enable them to complete activities and assessment tasks within the program, however every effort will be undertaken for the faculty to provide such relevant equipment and materials if appropriate.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Faculty
Faculty: The primary academic unit in which related disciplines of teaching and research are conducted.

Campus

Paddington

Study Level
Study Level refers to the academic level of a program, specialisation or course.

Undergraduate

Typical duration:

3 years

Delivery Mode
Delivery Mode: The delivery option(s) by which a course or program is offered.

Face-to-face

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

3+ Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

144

Award Type

Bachelors Pass

Award(s)
Award(s): Qualification upon completion (all awards offered by UNSW are accredited by UNSW and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA

UAC Code

421000

CRICOS Code

097696E

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Program Structure144 Units of Credit:

Free Electives

Specialisation Requirements

General Education

Core Courses

Level 1 or Level 2 Core Theory Course

Level 3 Core Theory Course

Enrolment Disclaimer

Sample Programs

Admission Requirements

Special Admission Requirements

Related Programs

Related Double Degree Programs

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Pathways

Honours Programs

Post Graduate

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Award of Pass with Distinction

Program Fees

Additional Expenses

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Program Structure
144 Units of Credit: