Master of Design (Contemporary Art)

Entry Requirements

Successful completion of a Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Design from the University of South Australia are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study, and are not required to submit a portfolio of work and statement of intent.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

Related design disciplines include: visual art; contemporary art; illustration and animation.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.5 (with 6.0 in Reading and Writing); TOEFL iBT score of 79 with Reading and Writing not less than 18; TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) score of 577 with TWE of 4.5; Cambridge CAE/CPE score of 177; Pearson's test of English (Academic) (PTE) score of 58 with Reading and Writing communicative scores not less than 50; CELUSA score of AE5.

Course Details

This master degree will not only help to further extend practical skills in your chosen specialisation, but it will also provide you with valuable business management skills.

The specialised fields you are able to choose from include:

photo, digital and graphic media
painting and drawing
spatial studies, involving public art, sculpture, textiles, glass, ceramics, jewellery/metal, furniture, and illustration.

A key focus is on the development and application of research processes and methodologies and you will graduate with the cognitive skills needed to review and analyse information. You will also develop skills in marketing and critical analysis.

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor (Honours) degree in a related discipline are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae and a written statement of intent.

What you'll learn

[What you Learn]

This qualification provides graduates with advanced practical and theoretical skills and knowledge, advanced research skills and valuable business and financial management skills.

A key focus is on research, as it relates to your chosen specialisation. You will also study marketing and business, covering areas such as:

grant sourcing and applications
industry associations and professional recognition
communication skills and marketing strategies
copyright, trademarks, intellectual property and taxation

You will also acquire the cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research, and will explore online art and design practice, online marketing, business management and self-employment practices related to the art and design industries. You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand critical research methodologies.

In your final year, you will embark on a year long body of work resulting in exhibition quality artworks.

Career outcomes

Your career

Visual artists are highly creative, highly motivated, disciplined and committed. To succeed in this creative profession you need to be willing to take risks, push boundaries and experiment with concepts, contexts and materials. If you think you've got what it takes, the job prospects for visual artists in Australia are looking great1.

Careers to consider:

artist/designer: ceramicist, painter, illustrator, sculptor, jeweller, textile artist, printmaker, photographer, furniture designer, digital media
arts administrator: responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operations of an arts organisation
art historian: an authority on art history; you may work for a museum, library, art gallery or historical centre
art critic: specialise in analysing, interpreting and evaluating art

< Back to search results