Bachelor of Fine Arts
at The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
A studio-based fine-arts degree with majors in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, screen, sound, performance or expanded practice. Includes an annual graduate exhibition.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Fine Arts. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official SATAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year at the University of Adelaide is studio-led and broad. You sample across media (drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, screen, sound and expanded practice), build core technical and material skills, and study art history and theory. Critique sessions begin early, teaching you to talk about and develop your own work. Second year develops a chosen studio specialisation. Studios become more self-directed, built around sustained projects, experimentation and conceptual development, while history and theory courses deepen your critical and contextual understanding. You begin documenting your practice and building a body of work. Third year is the major-project and graduate-exhibition year. You produce a sustained, self-directed body of work culminating in a graduate exhibition, supported by professional-practice courses covering exhibition, grants, copyright and presenting work to galleries and audiences. The emphasis is on a resolved practice and a portfolio for the cultural sector.
Example first-year subjects
- Studio: Foundations of Practice
- Drawing and Materials
- Introduction to Art History
- Contemporary Art Theory
- Photography and Lens-Based Media
- Professional Practice for Artists
How you will be assessed
- Studio work and folios assessed through critique
- Sustained project and body-of-work submissions
- Studio journals documenting process
- Essays and research on art history and theory
- Oral presentations and group critiques
- Graduate exhibition and artist statement
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as practising artists, screen and stage performers, art directors and gallery educators across the cultural sector.
- Common destinations include exhibition assistant roles at state galleries, freelance studio practice and arts-administration positions in regional councils.
- Many alumni progress into curatorial roles, postgraduate study or arts education in secondary schools.
Typical first jobs
- Practising artist or performer
- Gallery or exhibition assistant
- Arts administrator or program coordinator
- Art technician or studio assistant
- Community-arts or workshop facilitator
- Freelance creative in screen, sound or media
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $66,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Many graduates sustain a studio or performance practice alongside other work, exhibit through galleries and artist-run spaces, and apply for grants and residencies. Postgraduate options include Honours, a Master of Fine Arts or research masters, and a PhD by creative practice for academic and research careers. Others move into arts administration, curatorial work, arts education (with a teaching qualification), or the creative and screen industries.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Self-motivated makers with a strong creative drive
- Students comfortable with critique and experimentation
- Those who can sustain long, self-directed projects
- People committed to building a practice and portfolio
- Learners who balance studio work with theory
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a clear, salaried job title at graduation
- Those who dislike critique or self-directed work
- People seeking a maths or science-based degree
- Students who need tight structure and frequent exams
Related courses at Adelaide
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the The University of Adelaide handbook and on SATAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/adelaide/bachelor-of-fine-arts.