CUA51120 - Diploma of Visual Arts
Duration | There are multiple durations. Please refer to Course Structure below. |
Location | Online and |
Next intake | November, 2023 |
Study mode | On Campus, Online |
Total units | 15 |

Overview
Progress your career in the visual arts or creative industries with this high-level diploma. This course will enable you to take your skills to the next level. A Diploma of Visual Arts will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills and techniques relevant to employment within the visual arts or other creative industries. This course is included in the Australian and Queensland Government’s Fee Free TAFE program.
This qualification provides students with training in the technical, creative and conceptual skills necessary to become a professional artist or designer. Students can select from the studio areas of painting, printmaking or jewellery as they work to develop their professional skills and knowledge in the visual arts arena. Visual artists may work in their own practice, or in a wide range of contexts across the arts, government, community or commercial organisations.
This is a nationally recognised accredited course.
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CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.
Study experience
- Experienced Teaching Team
- On-Campus Study
- Flexible Online Study
- “
The teaching staff at CQUniversity have been very accessible. You can email them, quite often they will call you if there is a problem and they need to discuss things that’s happening, or you can access them at any time.
Elisha Habermann
Diploma of Visual Arts
Career Opportunities
The job roles that relate to this qualification are that of a professional artist or designer. More specifically, these roles may include; Printmaker, Painter, Jeweler/Silversmith, Designer, Digital Artist, Installation Artist or Arts Practitioner. This course also provides a pathway to other visual arts, craft and design job roles.
Structure & Availability
On Campus
Duration:This program is delivered on campus for a period of 12 months full time or 24 months part time.
Drawing 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD532 | Create observational drawings |
CUAACD531 | Refine drawing and other visual representation tools |
Drawing 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUADRA501 | Refine drawing techniques |
Professional Practice 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUARES503 | Analyse cultural history and theory |
CUACMP511 | Manage copyright arrangements |
CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice |
Professional Practice 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR512 | Develop sustainability of own professional practice |
BSBMKG546 | Develop social media engagement plans |
CUAPPR513 | Present a body of own creative work |
BSBCRT512 | Originate and develop concepts |
Jewellery Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
CUAJWL401 | Experiment with techniques to produce jewellery |
Jewellery Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
CUAACD509 | Develop and refine metalworking techniques |
Printmaking Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
CUAPRI512 | Investigate printmaking materials and processes |
Painting Specialisation 1 - Online Only
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPAI512 | Investigate painting materials and processes |
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
Printmaking Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
CUAPRI511 | Refine printmaking techniques |
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
Painting Specialisation 2 - Online Only
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
CUAPAI511 | Refine painting techniques |
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
Online
Duration:This program is delivered online for a period of 12 months full time or 24 months part time.
Drawing and Copyright
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUACMP511 | Manage copyright arrangements |
CUADRA501 | Refine drawing techniques |
Drawing and History
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUARES503 | Analyse cultural history and theory |
CUAACD531 | Refine drawing and other visual representation tools |
Drawing and Safety
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice |
CUAACD532 | Create observational drawings |
Professional Practice 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
BSBMKG546 | Develop social media engagement plans |
BSBCRT512 | Originate and develop concepts |
Professional Practice 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
CUAPPR513 | Present a body of own creative work |
Sustainability
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR512 | Develop sustainability of own professional practice |
Printmaking Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
CUAPRI512 | Investigate printmaking materials and processes |
Painting Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPAI512 | Investigate painting materials and processes |
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
Printmaking Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
CUAPRI511 | Refine printmaking techniques |
Painting Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPAI511 | Refine painting techniques |
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
Start TAFE Now (STN) - On Campus
Duration:This program is delivered on campus part time for a period of 24 months.
Drawing 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD531 | Refine drawing and other visual representation tools |
CUAACD532 | Create observational drawings |
Drawing 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUADRA501 | Refine drawing techniques |
Professional Practice 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice |
CUACMP511 | Manage copyright arrangements |
CUARES503 | Analyse cultural history and theory |
Professional Practice 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR513 | Present a body of own creative work |
BSBCRT512 | Originate and develop concepts |
BSBMKG546 | Develop social media engagement plans |
CUAPPR512 | Develop sustainability of own professional practice |
Jewellery Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
CUAJWL401 | Experiment with techniques to produce jewellery |
Jewellery Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
CUAACD509 | Develop and refine metalworking techniques |
Printmaking Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPRI512 | Investigate printmaking materials and processes |
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
Painting Specialisation 1 - Online Only
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
CUAPAI512 | Investigate painting materials and processes |
Printmaking Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
CUAPRI511 | Refine printmaking techniques |
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
Painting Specialisation 2 - Online Only
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
CUAPAI511 | Refine painting techniques |
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
Start TAFE Now (STN) - Online
Duration:This program is delivered online for a period of 24 months part time.
Drawing and Copyright
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUADRA501 | Refine drawing techniques |
CUACMP511 | Manage copyright arrangements |
Drawing and History
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUARES503 | Analyse cultural history and theory |
CUAACD531 | Refine drawing and other visual representation tools |
Drawing and Safety
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD532 | Create observational drawings |
CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice |
Professional Practice 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
BSBCRT512 | Originate and develop concepts |
BSBMKG546 | Develop social media engagement plans |
Professional Practice 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR513 | Present a body of own creative work |
CUAPPR511 | Realise a body of creative work |
Sustainability
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPPR512 | Develop sustainability of own professional practice |
Printmaking Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPRI512 | Investigate printmaking materials and processes |
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
Painting Specialisation 1
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD536 | Refine 2-D design ideas and processes |
CUAPAI512 | Investigate painting materials and processes |
Printmaking Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAPRI511 | Refine printmaking techniques |
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
Painting Specialisation 2
Unit Code | Unit Name |
---|---|
CUAACD534 | Research and apply light and colour |
CUAPAI511 | Refine painting techniques |
On Campus
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
February, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
March, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
July, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
August, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
Online
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
February, 2023 | Online |
March, 2023 | Online |
April, 2023 | Online |
May, 2023 | Online |
June, 2023 | Online |
July, 2023 | Online |
August, 2023 | Online |
September, 2023 | Online |
October, 2023 | Online |
November, 2023 | Online |
December, 2023 | Online |
January, 2024 | Online |
February, 2024 | Online |
March, 2024 | Online |
April, 2024 | Online |
May, 2024 | Online |
June, 2024 | Online |
July, 2024 | Online |
August, 2024 | Online |
September, 2024 | Online |
October, 2024 | Online |
November, 2024 | Online |
December, 2024 | Online |
Start TAFE Now (STN) - On Campus
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
February, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
March, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
July, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
August, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton City |
Start TAFE Now (STN) - Online
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
February, 2023 | Online |
March, 2023 | Online |
April, 2023 | Online |
May, 2023 | Online |
June, 2023 | Online |
July, 2023 | Online |
August, 2023 | Online |
September, 2023 | Online |
October, 2023 | Online |
November, 2023 | Online |
December, 2023 | Online |
January, 2024 | Online |
February, 2024 | Online |
March, 2024 | Online |
April, 2024 | Online |
May, 2024 | Online |
June, 2024 | Online |
July, 2024 | Online |
August, 2024 | Online |
September, 2024 | Online |
October, 2024 | Online |
November, 2024 | Online |
December, 2024 | Online |
This course has no residential schools.
Requirements
Completion of the bksb (basic key skills builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course.
Individuals must provide evidence of their technical and organisational skills to conceptualise and create works in selected medium.
Skills and knowledge may have been acquired through experience in creative practice or formal study.
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative Fees
Fee Type | Fees |
---|---|
Fee for service | $16,725 |
Fee for service per unit | $1,115 |
TAFE Priority Skills Fund/Training Program fee per unit | $447 |
Co-Contribution Fee | $10,320 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee | $8,940 |
Co-Contribution Fee per unit | $688 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee per unit | $596 |
2024 Indicative Fees
Fee Type | Fees |
---|---|
Fee for service per unit | $17,730 |
Co-Contribution Fee | $11,025 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee | $9,600 |
Co-Contribution Fee per unit | $735 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee per unit | $640 |
Please refer to the VET student fees price lists, eligibility criteria applies for subsidised funding. If you are unsure please call us on 13 27 86. The 2023 VET Student Loan Cap for this course is $16,788.
VET Student Loans can be used to pay for all or part of an eligible student’s Tuition Fees. VET Student Loans is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students studying diploma level and above qualifications to pay their tuition fees. A VET Student Loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is paid. Please refer to VET Student Loan for details and eligibility.
This is a Fee Free TAFE course thanks to the Australian and Queensland Governments. Eligibility and conditions apply.
At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more.
How to apply
Step 1: Get a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Visit usi.gov.au to create a USI or find an existing one.
Step 2: Prepare your eligibility documentation
So that we can assess your application and eligibility for Government funding options, you’ll need to upload documentation as part of your application. You will need to provide confirmation of identity with the following documentation:
- Queensland Residency and Date of Birth. (e.g. Queensland Driver’s License photo must be of the back and front of the license)
- Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency (e.g. Medicare Card or Birth Certificate)
For further information on eligible documentation, visit Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
To fast-track your application, make sure you provide a clear photo showing all the information and upload it with your application.
Step 3: Apply Online
Our easy-to-use online application system will guide you through the process of applying for a TAFE course. If you need help along the way, call us on 13 27 86.
Click on the Apply button below to start your application.