About the Course

Course Description:

Aims & Objectives:

This course aims to:

• Educate students in key areas of fine art to enable self employment opportunities in the visual arts industry.
• Develop sound practices through multidisciplinary modes of study.
• Develop aesthetic, social, environmental and ethical concepts and processes necessary to a satisfying personal philosophy and sound professional attitude.
• Enable students to participate in the arts industry and to be aware of the role of artists in society.
• To create opportunities for further arts training.

Course Structure:

The course is delivered mainly as practical studio-based subjects and in lecture and tutorial modes. This delivery is structured around a series of generic and compulsory subjects together with electives, major and minor studies distributed over two years of full-time study. During the second year students will complete compulsory subjects as well as one major and one minor levels 1 and 2.

Major specialisation:

Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography (Black & White, Video, Photoshop and Film)

Units of Study:

Year 1
Follow health, safety and security procedures
Life drawing 1 & 2
Photography 1 & 2 (Prahran Campus only)
Context & culture 1 & 2

Research and experiment with techniques to produce paintings
Studio & materials studies
Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
Select and apply drawing techniques and media to represent and communicate the concept
Develop self as an artist
Produce prints
Produce sculpture
Research and experiment with techniques to produce prints
Research and experiment with techniques to produce sculpture

Year 2
Context & culture 3 & 4
Contemporary art studies 3
Drawing 3 & 4
Arts business practice 1 & 2
Focus on industry
Painting minor 1 & 2
Printmaking minor  1 & 2 (Wantirna Campus only)
Sculpture minor 1 & 2
Photography minor 1 & 2 (Prahran Campus only)

Painting major 1 & 2
Sculpture major 1 & 2
Photography major 1 & 2 (Prahran Campus only)
Printmaking major 1 & 2 (Wantirna  Campus only)


Applicants should contact the Visual Arts Co-ordinator to enquire about the range of subjects offered at each campus.

Employment Outcomes

Career Opportunities:

Graduates will find rewarding careers in the visual arts industries where traditional practices converge with new video and digital technologies.

How To Apply

Entry Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, or mature age. Applicants will be required to present a folio of their art work at the interview.

Credit Transfer:

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to the Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

Pathways (articulation):

An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to the Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.

Further details for students considering TAFE courses can be found on the RPL website.

Course Fees:

TAFE course fees are set by the government, and from 1 January 2008 the fees payable by students enrolled in the TAFE division may be made up of the following:

• Tuition fee ($1.37 per student contact hour)
• Amenities fee
• Materials charges (where applicable)
• Ancillary fee (where applicable)

Concession fees apply for health care card holders.

For full details on TAFE fees, visit the student fees website.

Application Procedure:

Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC codes: 78151 (Prahran), 71151 (Wantirna)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au

After applying to VTAC applicants MUST contact the Department of Arts to receive further information with regard to a supplementary application form, interview and/or direct application.

Find Out More

Information Sessions:

2008 Open Day

Sunday 17 August

10:00 am - 4:00 pm               

Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.

For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday

Further information: