Undergraduate

Fine Arts

Fine Arts is the creative exploration of ideas and the formation of concepts within the unique imaginative field of making art.

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.

Career Pathways

UWA Fine Arts graduates are employed in influential positions within Australia and internationally in a plethora of professions as entrepreneurial artists, curators, designers, filmmakers, musicians, academics, writers, journalists, editors, publicists, within areas of gallery management, arts administration, cultural festival coordination, corporate public relations, marketing, communication, management, public service investigation and policy research.
UWA Fine Arts graduates are employed in influential positions within Australia and internationally in a plethora of professions as entrepreneurial artists, curators, designers, filmmakers, musicians, academics, writers, journalists, editors, publicists, within areas of gallery management, arts administration, cultural festival coordination, corporate public relations, marketing, communication, management, public service investigation and policy research.

Further Study

An honours level program of study will be introduced to provide a pathway into the existing Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Curatorial Studies and other postgraduate study opportunities. The rich resources of UWA’s Cultural Precinct, the UWA Museum’s Student Placement Program and the important collections of the University provide a valuable set of resources for students to advance their research into postgraduate study.
An honours level program of study will be introduced to provide a pathway into the existing Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Curatorial Studies and other postgraduate study opportunities. The rich resources of UWA’s Cultural Precinct, the UWA Museum’s Student Placement Program and the important collections of the University provide a valuable set of resources for students to advance their research into postgraduate study.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2024
Commonwealth Supported Place $9,845.65

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$45,800.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

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Course details

The Fine Arts major is an intensive studio-based course that prepares you for a successful career as a contemporary artist. By working closely with our staff of nationally and internationally recognised practising artists and with experts from related creative arenas such as curatorial practice, art theory and the history of art, you will explore a range of artistic processes, techniques and technologies that will help you to establish your career in the field of contemporary art and culture.
 

About the course

The structure and program of offerings in the Fine Arts major make it the only one of its kind in Australia. Following a foundational first year of study in which you develop fundamental practical skills in tandem with a body of conceptual and theoretical knowledge, you then select from three specialist pathways: film, art and biotechnologies, and art and environment.
Fine Arts

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12 - 15 hours per week
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-FNART
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Fine Arts
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12 - 15 hours per week
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-FNART
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Arts
Student story

Gabriella Loo

Student story
Gabriella Loo
ARTICLE

A day in the life of a Fine Arts student

Fine Arts student Zoe's studio corner at the UWA School of Design Read about BPhil (Hons) student Zoë's experience majoring in Fine Arts and Physics.
ARTICLE
MAJOR COORDINATOR

Dr Clarissa Ball

Dr Clarissa Ball

Dr Clarissa Ball is an art historian and the Head of the History of Art discipline.

"In an age that is increasingly dominated by the image, the ability to critically engage with the visual realm is more important now than it has ever been. While human beings are born with the capacity to look, we are not born with the capacity to see. Studying the history of art will give you the insights and skills necessary to understand and interpret the visual world so that you are better positioned to critically engage with, and work in today’s image-saturated environment."

MAJOR COORDINATOR

Why study Fine Arts at UWA?

  • Following a foundational first year of study in which you develop fundamental practical skills in tandem with a body of conceptual and theoretical knowledge, you then select from more focused areas including digital art, biological and environmental art, painting, drawing and print-making, multi-medium installation and curation practices
  • It’s taught by world-class, internationally recognised artists

Excellent facilities

At the School of Design, you’ll have access to well-equipped facilities including:

  • Studio spaces
  • Design Hub, a working space with senior student mentors available for assistance
  • Digital fabrication equipment such as plastic extrusion 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC milling machines

  • Multiple computer labs with 24-hour access

  • Printmaking studio with etching presses and spray booths

  • Multimedia production facilities

  • Cullity Gallery, where you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

Meet the teachers

As a UWA fine arts student, you'll be taught by award-winning practising artists and researchers.

Read about some of your potential teachers:

Form connections

See what our students are up to by following the School of Design Facebook pageSchool of Design Instagram account and School of Design on LinkedIn.

The UWA ALVA Student Society is affiliated with the UWA Student Guild and represents students within the School of Design. Visit the ALVA Student Society on Facebook.

Student story

Samuel Beilby

Student story
Samuel Beilby
Fine Arts

You'll learn to

  • undertake research and create concepts
  • develop your ideas into art in the studio
  • develop artistic skills in a variety of methods
  • turn your ideas into developmental concepts unique to the framework of creative art
Fine Arts

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

You may also be interested in these courses

About the discipline

The History of Art discipline comprises some of Australia’s leading art historians whose expertise will suitably equip you for employment in art museums, commercial galleries, government or community arts programmes, as well as across a range of arts sector opportunities.

Richer student experiences

Student Exchange & Study Abroad

Visit Global Studio