Are you keen on turning your creative talents into a university study plan? We have the low-down on the best schools to pursue an Art or Design degree in Australia.
From rankings to entry requirements, we’ve got you covered!
See which uni might suit you!
#5. Swinburne University of TechnologyÂ
Image sourced from H2o Architects
RankingsÂ
Swinburne’s School of Design is ranked the fifth best university for Art and Design in Australia.Â
It is also ranked in the top 100 in the world according to QS Top University Rankings By Subject 2022.
Topping that off, Swinburne is also the 19th best university in Australia, as ranked by QS Top Universities 2022!
AboutÂ
Swinburne is located just outside of Melbourne on three campuses. Most courses are offered on the Hawthorne campus.
This university has a particular focus on Design Innovation and Communication Design, but offers a broad range of majors. Visual Arts degrees are also available.Â
Swinburne’s Design Factory Melbourne has been set up to bring students and industry partners together to create projects! Students gain professional experience while studying.Â
The Design Factory is part of a global network to support design students as they develop skills.
Scholarships for Swinburne can be found here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
The Bachelor of Design requires submission of a portfolio with three to five pieces of original work. Applicants are also encouraged to submit supporting documents.Â
Details on applications can be found here!
#4. Queensland University of Technology
Image sourced from Student One
Rankings
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) ranks at the fourth best university in Australia for 2022.
Out of the top 100 QS Top Universities 2022, it is the 15th best university in Australia.Â
QUT’s school of Design is also within the top 100 according to QS Top University Rankings By Subject 2022.
AboutÂ
QUT has two campuses on each side of the Brisbane river. Classes are located between Garden Point campus and Kelvin Grove campus, which is home to creative industries, education and health students.
QUT’s Design and Art schools offer three-year Bachelor Degree in Design under the Creative Industries faculty.
You’ll get access to amazing spaces such as fashion studios, newsrooms, animation facilities and workshop spaces at Kelvin Grove’s Creative Industries Precinct. You can also loan equipment including cameras, lights, microphones, and tripods!
QUT also has a partnership with the BMW group to provide their design students with opportunities for internship, research and special projects!
Check out the QUT Excellence Scholarship (Creative Industries) here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
A Bachelor Degree in Design at QUT requires you to choose a major from the get-go.
All majors require an ATAR of 70.00, with the exception of an 79.00 ATAR for Architecture majors.
For those who want to study and travel overseas for one extra year, a Bachelor of Design – International also have different ATAR requirements. For example, an International (Industrial Design) major requires an ATAR of 91.00.
Details on applications can be found here!
#3. Monash University
Image sourced from Tractebel Engie
RankingsÂ
Monash University takes the place as the third best university for Art and Design in Australia.Â
It is also the sixth best university in Australia according to QS Top Universities 2022!
Like Swinburne and QUT, it is also ranked in the top 100 in the world according to QS Top University Rankings By Subject 2022.
AboutÂ
Monash’s Art, Design and Architecture (ADA) courses are held in the Caulfield campus.
As Monash’s second largest campus, the design and arts schools offer both state-of-the-art technology such as digital fabrication workshops for 3D printing and image-based studios for VR.
For students studying traditional method of production, Monash offers paper-based studios, hot workshops (for glass and clay), and trusty open-space workshops for any ADA student!
Check out more on the Art, Design and Architecture facilities here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
Monash offers one three-year Fine Art course and five three-year Design courses, all set with certain entry requirements.
Fine Art applications require a digital folio submission, short written statement and ATAR/GPA (this varies upon your personal application).
Design applicants only need to meet the ATAR requirements. A Bachelor of Architectural Design has an ATAR requirement of 75.1. All other Design courses require an ATAR of 70.15.
Details on applications can be found here!
#2. University of Technology Sydney
Image sourced from UTS
RankingsÂ
UTS is ranked 27th in the world for Art and Design in the QS Top University Rankings by Subject 2022.Â
The university is also the top young university in Australia according to QS Top University Rankings 2022.
Additionally, UTS is ranked as Australia’s 9th best university overall within QS Top University Rankings 2022.
AboutÂ
This university is located right in Sydney, just a five minute walk from Central Station. At just 33 years old, UTS has modern buildings which blend into the cityscape!
UTS’ School of Design offers 17 undergraduate degree combinations. Courses in fashion, and product design are available, in addition to more traditional design degrees. Most single degrees are three years in length, and double degrees are five.Â
If you’re moving out of home to study, the UTS Housing Service offers four residences, all named in local Indigenous language.Â
There are scholarships available for this university. They can be found here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
Each design degree has a certain ATAR requirement. These change each year, but currently range between 86.05 for a Bachelor of Design in Product Design and 94.45 for a Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles.Â
UTS also offers a portfolio scheme for people who aren’t current school leavers. You may first submit an application to UAC by the 30 September for consideration in early offer rounds.
Even if you don’t make it in through UAC, you can submit a portfolio of work for the Design faculty to consider. This must be a digital portfolio with five pages of original work relevant to your course. You must also submit a written application.Â
Other degrees to check out from UTS include:
#1. RMIT UniversityÂ
Image sourced from Peter Elliott Architects
RankingsÂ
RMIT is ranked first in Australia for Art and Design courses according to QS Top University Rankings 2022.
The university’s School of Art is also ranked 15th globally for Art and Design courses according to QS Top University Rankings by Subject 2022.Â
RMIT is also ranked as the 14th best university in Australia overall, according to QS Top Universities 2022.Â
AboutÂ
The RMIT School of Art offers Fine Arts and Photography. The university also offers five different Design degrees!
RMIT offers industry mentorships and collaborative projects to make graduates more employable.Â
This university has three Melbourne campuses. Most Art and Design courses are held in the city centre. RMIT also has several international campuses and the School of Art is in partnership with Hong Kong Art School — students from both art schools can work together!
RMIT also offers support for students with disabilities through their Equitable Learning Services.Â
There are several scholarships available for this university. Find them here!
Entry RequirementsÂ
A Bachelor of Fine Arts requires a VCE score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in English other than EAL.Â
A selection task must be submitted for any art or design degree. These vary according to degree, but always require examples of artistic flare!
Applicants may be asked for a folio, showcasing their best work, if the university feels it needs more information.Â
Learn about other degrees from RMIT you might want to consider:
Trying to find inspiration for your HSC Visual Arts Major Work? Read this article to get your creativity flowing!
Lucinda Garbutt-Young hopes to one day be writing for a big-shot newspaper… or maybe just for a friendly magazine in the arts sector. Right now, she is enjoying studying a Bachelor of Public Communication (Public Relations and Journalism) at UTS while she writes on the side. She also loves making coffees for people in her job as a barista, and loves nothing more than a sun shower.
