Diploma of Visual Arts
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February Entry score
IELTS 5.5
Duration
Full-time 1 year Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$19,250 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February
Overview
Study a visual art course and create a professional folio of work. This diploma is taught by practicing artists in real studio environments.
You will start your journey in the Diploma and upon successful completion continue in the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts.
The one-year Diploma offers both practical and theoretical courses, which have been developed in conjunction with the arts industry. It is designed to prepare you for a career in the visual arts or other related creative fields.
On completion of the first year, you will transition to the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. This is also a one-year program, which allows you to further investigate your creative practice with a more specialised focus.
A major focus is the production of a professional folio of work that reflects your personal creativity. The folio will display a sequential development, with emphasis on the acquisition of skills and the adaptation of those skills to the production of artworks with a sound personal philosophical base.
The program is developed around the idea of contemporary arts practitioners as multi-disciplined. However, there is a strong drawing component in the course, which includes life drawing.
All staff are practicing artists with national and international reputations in the arts. This enables them to connect you to work on projects with industry, other practising artists and with galleries.
The program also has a strong focus on exhibition practice and providing practical experience in the arts industry.
You will undertake independent studio practice and develop a wide-range of highly specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge.
Details
You will learn in specialised studios specifically designed for each of the specialisation areas. You will be taught by professional practising artists and educators who have a wide range of industry knowledge and experience.
The advanced diploma is a more specialised qualification that will give you more complex skills and knowledge. It also requires a higher level of personal accountability.
Assessment for both programs is folio based, where the major emphasis of the program is the production of a folio of work that re?ects your personal creativity. The folio will display a sequential development, with emphasis on the acquisition of skills and the adaptation of those skills to the production of artworks with a sound personal philosophical base.
Facilities/equipment include:
- Studios for printmaking, painting, sculpture, drawing
- MAC lab.
The program also offers strong links to the arts industry, gallery tours and exhibitions, guest speakers and visiting arts practitioners.
All programs are delivered in English.
You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Many of the teaching staff within the program are practicing arts professionals with extensive industry experience and networks, which will enrich your learning experience.
RMIT have close links with industry, including the City of Melbourne and the Gertrude Street Projection Festival. This gives you the opportunity to work with industry on projects such as public art, exhibitions and community-based projects.
In addition, the program makes regular use of outside industry experts as guest speakers to ensure you are exposed to current developments in the arts. The regular use of sessional teaching staff also provides you with exposure to current industry practitioners. You are encouraged to visit galleries and museums within the program and on your own initiative.
You'll also participate in an end-of-year exhibition.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You will have the opportunity to attend talks, workshops and exhibitions by international artists through our International Artists In Residence (iAIR) program. The School of Art Galleries supports the iAIR program and you are encouraged to become actively involved in order to gain a greater understanding of the industry.
RMIT’s Global Mobility supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Diploma
1 year full-time
Advanced Diploma
1 year full-time
Please note: You will be admitted to the Diploma level of the training package and upon successful completion you can apply to study the next qualification, the Advanced Diploma.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Diploma
1 year full-time
Advanced Diploma
1 year full-time
Please note: You will be admitted to the Diploma level of the training package and upon successful completion you can apply to study the next qualification, the Advanced Diploma.
Diploma
In your diploma year, you will learn the skills necessary to be competent in working to a brief and producing works of art. You will also learn more about the arts industry in general. The core courses in the first year are:
- Establish and maintain safe professional practice
- Prepare for sustainable professional practice
- Analyse cultural history and theory
- Refine drawing
- Realise a body of creative work
- Present a body of your own creative work.
You must also select three studio specialisations from:
- digital imaging
- painting
- sculpture
- printmaking
- public art.
Students who have completed their Diploma of Visual Arts at another institution still apply for the diploma qualification but move directly into the Advanced Diploma.
Advanced Diploma
The advanced diploma year allows you to further investigate your creative practice with a more specialised focus. You will undertake independent studio practice and develop a wide-range of highly specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills and knowledge.
On completion of this year, you will have developed a strong personal philosophy and aesthetic that demonstrates an understanding of visual arts and contemporary art practice.
You must select two studio specialisations from:
- digital imaging
- painting
- sculpture
- printmaking
- public art.
You will learn from teaching staff who are professional practicing artists in the above study areas.
You will also showcase your work at an end of year student exhibition.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Visual Arts | City Campus |
1 year full time or 2 years part time
|
1 year full time
|
C5348 | 090442F |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5348
National curriculum code: CUA51115
Career
You will have the knowledge and confidence to shape your future as a self-employed art practitioner, as a paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry, or as a high-level support staff member in an arts-related industry.
Artists can be employed in a number of areas, including self-employment, project-based work, in schools, councils and government organisations, public project and commission-based work and as artists in residence. Artists may work in private studios or collective artist run spaces.
Students who complete the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts may also continue with their studies in higher education.
You can choose to pursue further study or undertake work in a multitude of arts-related industries, such as gallery or museum work, community arts or as an art practitioner.
You will graduate with the knowledge and confidence to make appropriate decisions regarding your future in arts roles such as:
- self-employed art practitioner
- paid employee in the visual art and crafts industry
- high-level support staff in art-related industries
- artist
- gallery or museum assistant/officer.
You will also gain the confidence and experience to pursue further study in arts-related fields at a higher level.
Current students can join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) as student members. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience.
Please note: eligibility for DIA full membership is based on a points system.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50% (check calculator below).
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.
You may also be considered if you have work experience in this field.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Entry requirements
You must:
- complete and submit the Visual Arts 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): 7 December 2018
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 1 February 2019
- All kits must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Direct applicants, including 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 13 February 2019*
- *Kits will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
- attend a folio presentation (some applicants). - If further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to discuss your folio and articulate your ideas.
- Folio presentations will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round).
- For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, folio presentations will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
- Alternative arrangements may be made for overseas or interstate applicants.
- Some applicants will be selected based on their pre-selection kit and will not be required to attend a folio presentation. These applicants will receive an advisory email by late December. Advisory letters will be sent in late October (Early round) and late December (Main round).
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit requires:
- a statement outlining what you expect to learn from the visual arts program (maximum 100 words)
- a statement describing a recent exhibition you have seen (maximum 100 words)
- a folio consisting of 6 to 8 images of visual art work you have created. This should contain a variety of works that demonstrate your interests and creative thinking, as well as your conceptual and technical skills. Submitting a selection of work that displays your creative potential is recommended.
- Examples of art works to consider for inclusion in your folio include, but are not limited to drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, public art ideas, models, sculptures, visual diary excerpts, sound and video.
- Folio presentation: The folio presentation is an opportunity to discuss your folio and articulate your ideas.
Pre-selection kit: You must complete a pre-selection kit.
Folio presentation: You may be required to attend an interview and folio presentation. This can be conducted in person, via video call or telephone.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 530 (TWE 3.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 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 Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Successful completion of the Diploma of Visual Arts guarantees entry into the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. The Diploma is offered as an additional year of full-time study.
You may be eligible to begin your studies at the Advanced Diploma level if you already hold a Diploma of Visual Arts or have the relevant knowledge and skills. You must still apply for the Diploma and will be assessed for entry into the Advanced Diploma.
Graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts can continue their studies the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art).
When you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts and achieve a minimum GPA 3.0, you are guaranteed entry in the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) and will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points).
If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to submit a folio. You will be assessed on a case by case basis and credit is not guaranteed.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’**.
2019 Fees
- 2019 government subsidised place: AU$7,250* per annum
- 2019 full-fee place: AU$17,250* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
- 2018 full-fee place: AU$13750* per annum
- Maximum VET Student Loan for program: AU$5000**
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
**The maximum loan amount for a program is indexed annually on 1 January, and the maximum loan amount denoted above is correct at the time of publication.
Eligibility criteria waver
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving two (2) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and already have a qualification, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference once you exceed the cap.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (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 see VET Student 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.
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.