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Undergraduate

Bachelor of Visual Art (Visual Art Studio Practice)

Bachelor of Visual Art (Visual Art Studio Practice) (BVSA)

Entry requirements
ATAR 60.00
Study mode
  • On-campus
  • Online
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 3 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May

Overview

  • Interested in blending an area of visual art you’re passionate about with a rewarding profession? When choosing to major in Studio Practice (painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and photography), you will graduate with traditional visual art industry qualifications but also benefit from dynamic pathways for qualifications in arts therapy, education, business, marketing and graphic design.
  • Within the Studio Practice major, you will have the opportunity to undertake courses that utilise and are embedded within the renowned McGregor Summer and Winter Art School, to attain credit for studio work.
  • Benefit from the practical studios to meet the varied needs of individual practitioners, such as the ceramics studio – the only ceramics studio at a Queensland university, and one of only four in Australia.

Further study

Upon successful completion of this degree, you can go on to study the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours).

Thinking of studying in 2025? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Career outcomes

  • The range of subjects in the visual arts creates a variety of potential employment opportunities including artist, curator, arts administrator, art teacher, art therapist, arts magazine writer/editor, art critic/journalist, gallery director, public arts officer, community arts officer, conservator, cultural policy writer/advisor, venue and collections manager, web designer, digital content manager, visualisation/interior designer, workshop facilitator.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 60.00 65.30
  • Attend an interview with portfolio. 
  • To study this degree we assume you have sound knowledge in English (Units 3 & 4, C) and Visual Arts (Units 3 & 4, C). We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge.
  • If no ATAR, applicants can successfully undertake an interview and supply a written statement.

Interview information

Applicants will need to bring:

  • a head shot-style photo of yourself
  • a school exit statement, or evidence of previous education standard achieved.
  • a portfolio of work to the interview. This should contain at least 8-10 high quality images of past artwork. Please note: it is not necessary to bring the physical work.
  • If you don't have an ATAR, please bring a written statement (500 words) addressing your interest, goals, and aspirations in studying visual arts, with some reflection on your visual art experiences and training. 

For registration and interview tips, please see our Auditions and interviews page. Please note that you will need to apply for your degree before registering for the interview.


Note: It is a requirement that Queensland-based students hold a current positive notice indicating that they are deemed suitable for working with children and young people whilst studying the Bachelor of Visual Art. Further information about the Blue Card or Exemption Card suitability process is available from the Blue Card Services.

Special entry schemes for admissions may increase your Rank, through the allocation of additional points in certain circumstances, such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed. 

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study UniSQ's UniReady courses TPP0122 and TPP0123, or the English for Academic Purposes EAP2 pathway program through the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 4
12-unit Visual Art Studio Practice major 12
1 x second 8-unit major*
or 2 x 4-unit minors
or 1 x 4-unit minor plus 4 x elective courses
8
Total 24

*The second 8-unit major can be chosen from any approved 8-unit major in another discipline in the School of Creative Arts (e.g. Theatre, Music, TV/Radio, Film Production etc. providing all entry requirements are met) or from an another major outside of the creative arts in consultation and with approval from the degree director.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Residential schools

All students will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

Students will benefit from attending residential school via McGregor Summer and Winter Schools, an established and long standing offering at UniSQ.

Other requirements

While studying this degree, you will need to provide some of your own art materials. Materials lists will vary depending on the studio area(s) you will undertake. Further details will be provided during Orientation Week and at the commencement of individual courses.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 9312
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 27440

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.
Mode QTAC Codes
Online 909975
Toowoomba 909971

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

If you are applying via QTAC, please check our application closing dates.

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1 or 2.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

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