Diploma of Visual Arts - CUA51120
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Full-time 1 yearLocation
Melbourne CityFees
AU$22,000 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
When you study visual arts at RMIT, you'll create a professional folio of work. This diploma is taught by practicing artists in real studio environments. All our staff are practitioners with national and international reputation in the arts. This enables them to connect you to work on projects with industry, other practicing artists, and galleries.
This diploma offers both practical and theoretical subjects, 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 can transition to the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts. This is also a one-year qualification, 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.
This diploma 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 qualifications is folio based, with major emphasis on the production of a 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.
Facilities/equipment include:
- Studios and workshops for printmaking, painting, sculpture, photography and drawing
- MAC lab.
This qualification also offers strong links to the arts industry, gallery tours and exhibitions, guest speakers and visiting arts practitioners.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with vocational practice.
All teaching staff are practicing arts professionals with extensive industry experience, which will enrich your learning.
Visual arts have close links with industry and gives students opportunity to work on community-based projects and exhibitions.
In addition, this diploma makes regular use of industry connections such as guest speakers and gallery visits, to ensure you are exposed to current developments in the arts 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.
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 subjects 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:
- fine art photography
- painting
- sculpture
- printmaking
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:
- fine art photography
- painting
- sculpture
- printmaking
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
|
1 year full time
|
C5414 | 108040F |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5414
National curriculum code: CUA51120
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. There are commercial opportunities available across the design, illustration and tattoo industries.
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 (artist)
- arts education
- gallery or museum assistant/officer
- technician
- high-level support staff in art-related industries.
Admissions
Entry requirements
There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this program. Applicants must meet the minimum University entry requirements for this program.
All applicants must complete and submit the Selection Task.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 50% average (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.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, there may be other RMIT programs you are eligible for that can lead you to your preferred program. Explore pathway options.
The selection task 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 extracts, sound and video.
Upload a PDF file of up to 8 images (maximum size 10MB). Alternatively you may supply a URL to an online space.ie website, blog, Tumblr, Flickr etc. If the URL is to a private page or folder, please provide the password.
Folio presentation may be required it further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to a folio presentation by email to discuss your folio and articulate your ideas.
The selection task 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.
- 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 extracts, sound and video.
Upload a PDF file of up to 8 images (maximum size 10MB). Alternatively you may supply a URL to an online space.ie website, blog, Tumblr, Flickr etc
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 (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 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
This course offers pathway into further study at RMIT.
Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree and helping you get the degree you want.
Further study
Successful completion of the Diploma of Visual Arts guarantees entry into the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts.
Credit and recognition of prior learning
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.
You are guaranteed entry into the Advanced Diploma of Visual Artswhen you successfully complete the Diploma of Visual Arts.
You are guaranteed entry into one of the following RMIT programs when you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts:
- Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) - you will receive 2 semesters of credit (equivalent to 96 credit points)
- Bachelor of Arts (Photography) - you will receive credit (equivalent to 48 credit points)
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$22,000.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$22,000.
2022 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.
- 2022 government subsidised place: AU$9,000* per annum
- 2022 full-fee place: AU$15,000* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Fee finder
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
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.
Defer your payment
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
Learn more about fees for vocational study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, 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 VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL 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.
Vet Student Loan cap
If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan 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 by the due date once you exceed the cap.
It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date.
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 2022 is $315.
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.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.