Bachelor of Visual Arts

The Bachelor of Visual Arts will equip you with the necessary historical, theoretical and practical knowledge to begin a career in the visual arts. Working with accomplished artists, art historians and other industry leaders, you will learn how to navigate and succeed in the visual arts sector. This degree consists primarily of studio and art theory courses.

In the first year, you will undertake introductory courses in painting, sculpture photography and Indigenous art and protocols with the additional choice of foundation courses in either printmaking, jewellery and small objects, or digital media. In your second year, you will specialise in either painting, sculpture, or photography, with electives in other disciplines at the Queensland College of Art and across Griffith University.

In your third year, you will continue your major, learn important professional practice skills and produce a major cross-disciplinary project and exhibition. Courses in art theory underpin all three years of the program and provide an important foundation for studio practice or further art historical and curatorial study.

Majors:

• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture

Industry and expert connections

Opportunities to engage industry and build employment options include working with guest artists, curators and arts workers; undertaking field trips and work placements; participating in exhibitions, symposia and events, technical workshops and masterclasses; embarking on study tours for course credit; as well as participating in a broad range of industry engagement opportunities through QCA's LiveArt.

Graduate outcomes

This internationally recognised degree will equip you for a career in the visual and creative arts, from gallery director and professional artist to curator, educator, government arts worker and creative consultant. The skills and knowledge you gain will equip you to adapt and succeed in the expanding and changing landscape of the creative arts and will also serve as the foundation for further studies in education, research or professional practice.

Tailor your timetable - Even if you study full-time on-campus, you may still be able to customise your degree to suit your needs. From a range of tutorial times to online access to lectures and other course material, we're here to help you fit study in with your work and life commitments.

An array of inspiring overseas study opportunities, ranging from a few weeks to a year, are available for students in this degree. Visit Go Global Griffith for more information.

A range of career options are available to graduates of this degree: from gallery director and professional artist, to curator, educator, government arts worker and creative consultant, the skills and knowledge you gain during your studies will equip you to adapt and succeed in the expanding and changing landscape of the creative arts.

Future growth in these industries ranges from moderate to strong. Professionals require very high skill levels and work in many regions across Australia. Employment outcomes in this sector depend on the talent, skill and determination of the individual.

Visual arts professionals

Key employment sectors

• Arts and recreation services
• Manufacturing
• Retail trade
• Construction

Potential job outcomes

• Visual artist
• Installation artist
• Public Artist
• Arts Researcher

Artistic directors, media producers and presenters

Key employment sectors

• Information media and telecommunications
• Professional, scientific and technical services
• Arts and recreation services
• Education and training

Potential job outcomes

• Artistic director
• Media producer
• Curator
• Arts Writer
• Gallerist or Gallery Assistant

Welfare, recreation and community arts workers

Key employment sectors

• Health care and social assistance
• Public administration and safety
• Education and training

Potential job outcomes

• Arts worker
• Recreation officer

Source: Australian Government Job Outlook

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

• Credit transfer

Griffith's innovative Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• View credit precedents for this program

Selection for admission to an undergraduate degree is made on the basis of academic merit.

Selection for admission is competitive as the number of applicants generally exceeds the places available. The minimum requirement for eligibility for admission is completion of Year 12 of secondary school or equivalent academic achievement.

Prerequisites for admission may be specified in terms of levels of achievement in particular Year 12 subjects. Prerequisite conditions may be satisfied by other study or experience which is considered to be equivalent to the Year 12 prerequisites. More information is available on the Prerequisites and Assumed Knowledge website.

Further information for Queensland students completing an ATAR can be found here.

Domestic applicants should apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).

A summary of the student profile for this program can be found on the QTAC website. The Rank profile is located on the Student Profile tab.