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Charles Darwin University (CDU)

  • 20% international / 80% domestic

Diploma of Creative Arts

  • Diploma

The Diploma of Creative Arts introduces students to ways of making, performing, and presenting creative work. The course is designed to help each student find and develop their unique creative voice with the support of experienced teachers who are creative professionals.

Key details

Degree Type
Diploma
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Code
YCART1
Study Mode
Online, In person

About this course

The Diploma of Creative Arts introduces students to ways of making, performing, and presenting creative work. The course is designed to help each student find and develop their unique creative voice with the support of experienced teachers who are creative professionals. Students collaborate with each other and connect with the Australian creative sector in the context of discovering their creative potential.

The Diploma of Creative Arts offers an introduction to contemporary creative arts, leading to further study or entry-level careers in the creative sector. The course provides foundational knowledge and learning experiences to develop students' playfulness and confidence in creative thinking and practices, their awareness of cultural, health, and safety issues relating to work in arts sectors, as well as critical thinking, research skills, and creative collaboration.

Students choose to specialise in an arts discipline through studio practice units in one of the following:

  • Music
  • Screen Media Arts, or
  • Visual Arts.

The Diploma of Creative Arts is delivered from an Australian perspective through in-person and online delivery, ensuring maximum learning flexibility. Optional field trips in the Northern Territory are embedded to connect students to the creative sector in the north of Australia.

The course is delivered full-time over one year or part-time over two years. The Diploma provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Creative Arts for those who want to continue their studies, or it is a stand-alone program for those seeking an undergraduate qualification in a short duration.




Entry requirements

Admission requirements are met by one of the following:

  • Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
  • Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
  • Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
  • Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
  • Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
  • Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
  • Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
    • Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
    • Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
    • Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
  • Current School Leaver Pathways:
    • Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
    • School recommendation program

* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.

Study locations

Casuarina

Casuarina

Online

What you will learn

Students come together for five (5) core units, including two (2) Studio Practice units where they specialise in an arts discipline through units in:

Career pathways

The Diploma of Creative Arts introduces students to contemporary creative arts from an Australian perspective, with the option to specialise in one discipline area.

The program prepares graduates for further study or for entry-level careers in the creative sector in Australia, whether working as a musician, performer, visual artist, filmmaker, creative writer, arts administrator, production assistant or crew for live events or screen productions. The program supports graduates to continue to learn through the arts.

Students will be supported to recognise their own unique creative practice and how they might develop this. The course requires students to develop skills in working independently and collaboratively. The course is distinct in its perspective, responding to creative sector activities that are unique to the northern region of Australia.

The student's journey through this program will also develop core transferable skills in communication, collaboration and critical and creative thinking to prepare them to participate in multi-disciplinary areas of the creative arts workforce.

The Diploma of Creative Arts is ideal for anyone who wants to get started in the creative arts through a focused program of a short duration so that they can decide whether to pursue further study or embark on a creative career.

The diploma supports previous study inclusions through recognition of TAFE/vocational programs.