Bachelor of Visual Arts
at The University of Sydney, New South Wales.
The University of Sydney's fine arts degree is the three-year Bachelor of Visual Arts at the Sydney College of the Arts. Entry is assessed on ATAR and a portfolio of artwork, so no lowest selection rank is reported. Visual Arts and Design and Technology are recommended studies.
Lowest selection rank
USyd has not published a lowest selection rank for this course for recent intakes. That usually means too few ATAR-based offers were made to report one, or that selection also uses a portfolio, audition, interview or other criteria. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Students complete studio and art history units and can add electives or a minor or major from across the university, excluding the Visual Arts major and minor. Students work in a studio environment to build a body of work. In the final year, work is exhibited in the Sydney College of the Arts Graduate Exhibition, and professional practice seminars and workshops are part of the program.
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 gallery representation and grant funding
- Gallery assistant or junior curator at public and commercial galleries
- Art handler or installer at major institutions
- Studio assistant for established artists
- Arts administrator at councils and NGOs
- Art teacher (after a Master of Teaching)
After graduation
Graduates work as practising artists and in galleries, arts organisations and creative industries, or continue to Honours, postgraduate study or a Master of Teaching.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with a serious commitment to art-making and a developing studio practice
- Those willing to spend 25 plus hours weekly in independent studio time
- People comfortable defending creative choices in regular crits
- Students who can manage long stretches of self-directed work
- Those happy to read art theory alongside making
It is probably not for you if
- Students treating creative work as a hobby rather than a discipline
- Those who prefer clearly defined briefs and deadlines
- Anyone uncomfortable with portfolio-based assessment and public exhibition
Related courses at USyd
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Sydney website and on UAC before applying.