Visual Arts

A Master of Visual Arts is the opportunity you have dreamed of - to focus on developing your skills as an artist or professional in the arts sector.

Through individual studio practice, core theory, master classes, field studies, research projects, and courses across ANU, you will extend your creative, technical and analytical skills under the supervision of our expert staff.

Study is available in a variety of workshops including art theory, ceramics, furniture, glass, gold and silversmithing, printmedia and drawing, painting, photography and media arts, sculpture, and textiles.

As a visual arts student at ANU, you will find the nation's premier cultural institutions - as well as the thriving local art scene - at your doorstep.

Career Options

Employment Opportunities

A Master of Visual Arts will advance your career as a practising artist, teacher, or administrator, or open up opportunities for working in museums, galleries, the public sector, and private enterprise.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. develop practice-led methodologies through Investigation, analysis and synthesis of complex information to plan and execute substantial creative research projects;
2. generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level using cognitive, technical and creative skills and relate them to their own creative works and to recent developments in the field;
3. critically reflect upon and evaluate theoretical, conceptual and aesthetic aspects of creative practice, and apply it in the production of creative works that contribute to new situations in professional practice and to scholarship;
4. design and develop  creative works that communicate theoretical, aesthetic,  conceptual and imaginative propositions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

The Master of Visual Arts requires completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

6 units from completion of ARTV8821 Points of View: Independent Creative Art and Media Practice

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARTV6007 Contemporary Australian Art

ARTV6008 Cyberculture

ARTV6103 Memory

ARTV6104 Cool Old Masters

ARTV8107 Arguing Objects

ARTV8207 Writing About Practice

ARTV8208 Issues in Contemporary Craft

A minimum 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARTV8038 Studio Practice 6u

ARTV8039 Studio Practice 12u

ARTV8040 Studio Practice 18u

A maximum 42 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARTV6003 Video Art

ARTV6006 Photography

ARTV6100 Typography: Textual use in Visual Arts

ARTV6101 Assemblage

ARTV6102 Construction

ARTV6921 Environment Studio 1

ARTV8054 Research

ARTV8300 Visual Arts Studio Masterclass

DESA6100 CAD-Design-Create 1

DESA6101 CAD-Design-Create 2

24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Bachelor degree or international equivalent with an average mark of at least 65 per cent and successful assessment of a portfolio of works. 

All applicants must meet the University's English Language Admission Requirements for Students

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (1 semester) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (1 year) of credit.

Cognate disciplines

Fine Arts, Visual Arts, Design, Architecture, Visual Anthropology.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

Entry to the Master of Visual Arts requires a successful assessment of a portfolio of works and other supporting material. Before applying, applicants should consult the ANU School of Art website where the requirements are listed and supporting material submission information is detailed: http://soa.anu.edu.au/how-apply/postgraduate-coursework-applications