Bachelor of Arts (Photography)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July
Entry score
Range of criteria
Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$31,680 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Founded in 1887, RMIT has the oldest and most established photography program in the world.
Situated in the heart of vibrant Melbourne, this program facilitates learning in purpose-designed studios using up-to-date technology and digital photographic equipment.
This program integrates theoretical, conceptual and industry based models of photographic practice as they apply to the media and communication industry. You will actively engage in the production of images that speak to the vibrant cultural dynamic of contemporary image production and exchange. You will be challenged to produce work that responds to the critical discourses in both local and global contexts and you will explore emerging technologies, while also analysing and synthesising their relevance to your own image making.
As a professional practitioner with specialist knowledge in photography, you will have the awareness and skills to interpret and shape your field once you graduate. The areas that our graduates have moved into include; fashion, advertising architecture, documentary, photojournalism, editorial, publishing, photo editing, post- production, publishing, exhibition practice, curating and teaching.
Details
Learning will take place within project-based studio environments in which you will actively participate and develop skills in key contemporary photographic production processes.
Throughout the program students engage with broader critical analyses of the historical, theoretical and cultural contexts of photography.
You will experience a variety of learning and teaching approaches. They will include studio-based environments, production workshops, lectures and seminars. You will engage in individual and team-based projects where you will collaborate with others relevant to your practice from industries such as fashion, journalism, design, architecture, and music. You will be assessed through presentations, exhibitions, staff, peer and self-assessment.
In your final year you will be involved in a major project in a professional context. In this capstone course you will be engaged in the production of a body of original work that demonstrates your photographic direction. You will be guided by the lecturing staff and an industry mentor.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access to online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal. Additional assistance is available from the RMIT Study and Learning Centre.
RMIT photography is widely recognised for producing industry-ready graduates. We encourage students to take part in Work Industry Learning projects, competitions and industry placements, both in Australia and Internationally. In previous years students have worked with BMW, SanPellegrino, Virgin Australia, Melbourne Fashion Festival, Habitat for Humanity, and various other projects. Many of our students have won or been shortlisted for major photographic prizes.
All staff exhibit many years of teaching and industry experience. Guest lecturers and practitioners, including industry experts and program graduates, will contribute to courses through sharing their insight into their diverse photographic careers.
Industry mentorships form part of the program experience and will help you develop connections to the industry while you study.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional practice.
In the Bachelor of Arts (Photography) program you will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of electives within the School, as well as wider university electives. These choices will depend on your particular career path and personal interests.
Learning and Teaching in the professional strand is focussed on project-driven studios that integrate and progressively develop your growing theoretical, practical and professional knowledge base. As you move through the degree you will increasingly direct your own learning and produce photographic projects with an academic and/or industry focus.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Photography) | City Campus |
3 years full-time
|
3 years full-time
|
BP117 | 006593K |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP117
Career
Admissions
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Successful completion of an Australian senior secondary certificate of education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL (or equivalent) or achieve an overall score of at least 155 in the STAT multiple choice.
You must:
- complete and submit the Photography pre-selection kit.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection kit.
- All kits must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 27 September 2018
- Main round (All applicants): 2 November 2018
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 15 February 2019
- RMIT current or recent students please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your pre-selection kit will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- All kits must be submitted by 6 March 2019*
- *Kits will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
- attend an interview (some applicants).
- If further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to an interview.
- Interviews will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round).
- For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, interviews will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
- Some applicants will be selected based on their pre-selection kit and will not be required to attend an interview. These applicants will receive an advisory email by mid November.
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit requires:
- An applicant statement outlining why you want to study this program (maximum 150 words)
- Details of any relevant experience you have in photography (maximum 150 words)
- A folio of up to eight images of your own work compiled into a single PDF
- A short statement explaining what influenced you to make the images and what ideas were you trying to convey (maximum 150 words). You may upload your PDF folio of images or supply a URL to your PDF if hosted online.
Art and Design application tips
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification with a minimum average of 65% (see calculator below).
For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to an Australian Year 12, see the Entry requirements by country web page.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
You must:
- complete and submit the Photography pre-selection kit.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection kit.
- All kits must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Main round (All applicants): 2 November 2018
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 15 February 2019
- attend an interview (some applicants).
- If further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to an interview.
- Interviews will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round).
- For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, interviews will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
- Some applicants will be selected based on their pre-selection kit and will not be required to attend an interview. These applicants will receive an advisory email by mid November.
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit requires:
- An applicant statement outlining why you want to study this program (maximum 150 words).
Details of any relevant experience you have in photography - A folio of up to eight images of your own work compiled into a single PDF
- A short statement explaining what influenced you to make the images and what ideas were you trying to convey (maximum 150 words).
You may upload your PDF folio of images or supply a URL to your PDF if hosted online.
Art and Design application tips
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
You must submit a pre-selection kit.
The pre-selection kit requires:
- An applicant statement outlining why you want to do this program (maximum 150 words)
- Details of any relevant experience you have in photography
- A folio of up to 8 images of your own work compiled into a single PDF
- A short statement explaining what influenced you to make these photographs and what ideas you were trying to convey through these photographs (maximum 150 words)
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$31,680.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$98,880.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living ;in Melbourne.