Bachelor of Visual Arts
Build your career as a professional visual artist in the creative and supportive community of the Arts Academy in Ballarat.
Course essentials
ATAR
Selection is based on successful interview and folio presentation as well as completing a year 12 qualification (VCE/interstate or overseas equivalent), as well as meeting the prerequisite study requirements.
Entry requirements
Credit
Study mode
Duration
Start dates
Locations
Course overview
Our Bachelor of Visual Arts course has been re-imagined in response to the evolving contemporary art landscape, focusing on collaboration and self-initiated creative practice. We foster a cohesive creative community that will support you during your degree and after you graduate.
Units in contemporary studio art practice are contextualised through a comprehensive historical and theoretical foundation. You will develop skills in:
• painting
• drawing
• ceramics
• 3D and installation
• printmaking
• media technologies.
Our Bachelor of Visual Arts is developed in partnership, with local industry and community leaders to provide students with hands-on experience and practical skills. Study under practicing artists, guest speakers, and resident artists, and participate in creative projects with local arts and community organisations.
You will also gain skills in exhibition planning and management through campus galleries.
These opportunities under the cooperative education model develop transferable skills for various roles in the arts industry that apply to other fields. Critical thinking, leadership, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship are all crucial skills in today’s fast-paced workplaces.
Students can choose from a range of electives across disciplines including:
• Writing
• Indigenous Studies
• Entrepreneurship
• Behavioural Studies
• Media and Screen Studies
• Education and Web Project Development.
• Visual Arts
Federation University is committed to preparing our Bachelor of Visual Arts graduates to enter their future careers with both confidence and experience. Our program fosters creative motivation and equips students with the skills needed for success. Many of our alumni have achieved recognition as national and international artists, such as David Noonan, Kim Anderson, and Graeme Drendel. Others have pursued successful careers as art teachers, curators, gallery directors, and arts administrators.
Galleries
This page features our on-campus galleries, which include the Post Office Gallery
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Arts Academy
Course co-ordinator
Camp St (on campus) - Dimitrios Pasakos
Career paths
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it's calculated
The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4). The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Camp St (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).
Work integrated learning
Arts Internship (VACAP3001) is a new unit included in this course in line with FedUni’s focus on employability which offers students the opportunity to pursue an internship (15cp) unit in local galleries / schools / community organisations.
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Visual Art: Studio Arts Practice 115 credit pointsVASAP1001
- Visual Culture: An Introduction15 credit pointsVCHAT1011
- Drawing15 credit pointsVACAP1011
Elective
- Visual Art: Studio Arts Practice 215 credit pointsVASAP1002
- Visual Culture: Foundations and Traditions15 credit pointsVCHAT1012
- Digital Art15 credit pointsVACAP1012
Elective
- Visual Art: Studio Arts Practice 315 credit pointsVASAP2013
- Visual Culture: Modernism to Postmodernism15 credit pointsVCHAT2003
- Collaborative Workshop 3 (Production)15 credit pointsACACW2003
Elective
- Visual Art: Studio Arts Practice 415 credit pointsVASAP2014
- Contemporary Issues in Visual Culture15 credit pointsVCHAT2004
- Australian Indigenous Art15 credit pointsVCHAT2005
- Collaborative Workshop 4 (Production)15 credit pointsACACW2004
- Visual Art Studio Art Practice 530 credit pointsVASAP3005
- Arts Internship15 credit pointsVACAP3001
- Professional Art Practice15 credit pointsVAPAP3005
- Visual Art: Studio Arts Practice 630 credit pointsVASAP3016
- Writing about the Arts15 credit pointsVCHAT3006
- Connections15 credit pointsVACAP3003
Visual Arts workshop
Friday 3 July, 10 am–3.30 pm
Camp St Campus
Build your folio and try hands-on drawing and sculpture with expert guidance. Try new techniques, develop your folio, and connect with others who share your passion for art. Whether you're preparing for further study or just want to get creative, this workshop is a great place to start.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English
- Successful interview and folio presentation
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Admission criteria for applicants with a Higher Education Study:
Previous higher education studies with results at a pass level, including any 'single subjects of study', or successful completion of a tertiary preparatory program such as the FedUni Foundation Access Studies Program (FAST).
Successful interview and folio presentation.
Admission criteria for applicants with a Vocation Education and Training:
Successful completion of a VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
Successful interview and folio presentation.
Admission criteria for applicants with a Work/Life Experience:
Applicants who have not completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies may not be eligible for entry into this program.
English language requirements
Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall with no bands less than 6.0
Extra requirements
Essential requirements for selection and application
Supplementary: Folio and Interview (All Applicants – domestic and international)
Supplementary form: Applicants must complete and submit a supplementary application form to secure an interview. The online form can be accessed from here.
When completing the Supplementary form, applicants will be required to upload the following documents;
• Upload a single combined PDF file that contains multiple images (up to 10 images) which may include 2D or 3D artworks or pages from your journal/sketchbook
• To create a combined PDF file use a Scanner App such as ‘Genius Scan’ or equivalent https://thegrizzlylabs.com/genius-scan/
• One example of your best writing (either academic or creative)
• Your CV (optional)
Folio and folio presentation:
Compulsory: The selection process includes an interview and folio presentation. Your folio work should be representative of your creative ideas and abilities. Qualities of importance are originality, innovation, imagination, experimentation and competence in the basic skills associated with visual arts. Please include evidence of your drawing skills in your folio, along with any journals of relevant material.
Interview
Compulsory: Applicants must attend an interview of approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Please check the Arts Academy webpage for dates and locations.
In the interview, you are asked to present a comprehensive folio of your work in a variety of media. The selection panel is interested to hear about your motivations for studying in your chosen field, and see a range of creative work that demonstrates your ability to explore ideas in depth.
Interviews will be conducted in Ballarat or online. Your folio work should be representative of your creative ideas and abilities. Qualities of importance are originality, innovation, imagination, experimentation and competence in the basic skills associated with visual arts. Include evidence of your drawing skills in your folio, along with any journals of relevant material. In general, you are advised to submit selected samples of completed works and relevant sketchbook materials.
Folio preparation workshop
Our full day workshop is designed for all prospective art and design students. It aims to help you to plan and develop a quality folio of artwork to present at your interview for entry into a tertiary visual arts or design program.
Please note that this is not an essential requirement for admission, however it may assist you to prepare your folio.
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3700210861 - Camp St (on campus)
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- QM5
Pathways to this course: Students who have completed a relevant Diploma of Visual Arts or Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts may be eligible for course credit of up to 50% depending on units successfully completed.
Pathways from this course:
Bachelor of Arts (Creative Arts) (Honours)
Hear from our students
Hi, I'm Prue and I'm studying a Bachelor of Performing Arts at Federation University. I love studying here at Fed. The first year I got here I moved all the way from Darwin in the NT to study at the Arts Academy. In my first year I lived on res and got to experience living with everybody else in my course and I had so much fun. Res in first year is, especially in the Arts Academy, a really really good option. Me and my best friend then moved to Mount Helen to do Res to meet more people from the university who aren't just in our course. I really love our course because the lectures really challenge you to get the best out of you. We do lots of shows in a really short amount of time and they really encourage you to work and perform and learn quickly and that's something that I haven't experienced before and I'm really enjoying.