Handbook

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

Apply skills, techniques, processes, and strategies to develop an ongoing self-initiated practice in contemporary art contexts

Professionals
Leaders
Scholars

Employ critical thinking and research methods to explore ideas and develop knowledge in contemporary art and cultural contexts

Leaders
Scholars

Communicate complex ideas about contemporary art and cultural practices for a variety of audiences

Global citizens
Professionals
Leaders
Scholars

Critically engage with a range of contexts pertinent to contemporary art practices and discourses locally and globally

Global citizens
Scholars
Professionals
Leaders

Work independently and collaboratively to integrate ethical awareness and professional practice principles into projects in contemporary art and cultural contexts

Professionals
Leaders
Global citizens

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 144 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

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

Disciplinary Component96 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 96 UOC of the following to satisfy the core requirements of this degree

Specialisation Requirements60 Units of Credit:

Core Courses24 Units of Credit:

Level 1 or Level 2 Core Theory Course6 Units of Credit:

Level 3 Core Theory Course6 Units of Credit:

Free Electives36 Units of Credit:

General Education12 Units of Credit:

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

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):

Program Requirements

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

ADAD3000 is an optional course in this program

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

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

Postgraduate Pathway

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

Master of Fine Arts (Research) - MFA(Res)2245 - Fine Arts (MRes)

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

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

Honours Pathway

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

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

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.

Additional Information

Further Information

Contact the Nucleus Student Hub for advice.

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 and Resources

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 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

144

AQF Level

Level 7

Award Type

Bachelor

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

Fine Arts

4821

144 Units of Credit