Bachelor of Fine Arts
at Curtin University, Western 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 Curtin University 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 | TISC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official TISC 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 is a shared creative foundation: studio practice across drawing, materials and making, art history and theory, and introductions to several media so you can find your direction. Teaching is largely studio-based, with regular critiques where you present and discuss your work. You begin building a body of work and a portfolio from the start. Second year is where you commit to a major such as painting and drawing, photography, sculpture and expanded practice, screen, sound, or performance. Projects become longer and more self-directed, you develop technical skills in your chosen media, and theory units help you situate your practice in contemporary art. Curtin's Bentley creative facilities and cross-faculty electives let you combine studio work with design, screen or writing units. Third year is dominated by a major self-directed studio project and a professional-practice unit covering exhibitions, grants, artist statements and the realities of a creative career. The year culminates in the annual graduate exhibition, which students use to launch into the sector.
Example first-year subjects
- Studio Practice: Foundations
- Drawing and Visual Language
- History and Theory of Art
- Materials and Making
- Introduction to Photography and Screen
- Contemporary Art Contexts
How you will be assessed
- Studio projects assessed by folio of completed work
- Regular studio critiques and group discussion
- Process journals and artist statements
- Final major project and graduate exhibition
- Short written essays on art history and theory
- Technical and media-specific exercises
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 with freelance and commission work
- Gallery or exhibition assistant
- Arts-administration or programs officer
- Photographer or content creator
- Studio or production assistant
- Community-arts or workshop facilitator
- Art technician or installer
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
Most graduates move into independent studio practice, freelance creative work or entry roles in galleries and the cultural sector, building a career around their portfolio and exhibition record. Postgrad options include the Master of Fine Art, coursework masters in creative and screen media, and Honours for those moving toward research, residencies or teaching. Some graduates add a teaching qualification to enter secondary art education, or move into arts administration and curatorial work.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Visual and material thinkers who like making and experimenting
- Students who can take critique and develop their own voice
- Self-directed people who manage long open-ended projects
- Those building a portfolio and exhibition record over chasing grades
- People committed to a creative life despite uncertain income
It is probably not for you if
- Students who want exam-based, clearly right-or-wrong assessment
- People uncomfortable presenting and defending their work publicly
- Those expecting a guaranteed salaried job title at graduation
- Students wanting a highly structured, lecture-driven degree
Related courses at Curtin
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Curtin University handbook and on TISC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/curtin/bachelor-of-fine-arts.