UndergraduateArts & Design

Bachelor of Creative Arts

Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia

About this program

The Bachelor of Creative Arts at Charles Darwin University is a comprehensive program in contemporary creative arts, offering a transformative learning experience in making, performing and presenting creative work, leading to creative, managerial and leadership roles in the sector. Students develop their unique creative voice through studio practice units with guidance from experienced teachers who are creative professionals, collaborate with each other, and connect with the creative sector. Delivery is internal and external for flexibility, with the opportunity to study online depending on unit and major choices, and optional field trips in the Northern Territory.

Fees & duration

Duration3 yr
Tuition (international)A$30,100
Application feeA$0

English test scores

IELTS6 overall
PTE50 overall

Verified cdu.edu.au ↗

Course structure

Study plan in 4 parts

  • The first year of the degree provides foundational knowledge and learning experiences to develop students' playfulness and confidence in creative thinking and practices
  • their awareness of cultural
  • health and safety issues relating to work in creative arts sectors and critical thinking
  • research skills and creative collaboration. The second year of the degree asks students to focus on their discipline-based studio practice to consolidate the skills
  • technical craft and knowledge required to specialise in a creative or performing arts discipline
  • as well as to stretch their boundaries
  • remaining open to experimentation
  • investigation and entrepreneurial opportunities and the inventiveness that comes from cross-disciplinary exploration. The third year of the degree challenges students to become the artist their dreams by creating their best artwork through studio practice units for presentation in a final showcase. All students prepare a portfolio so that they are ready for work opportunities. Students choose elective units that suit their career trajectory

Core Units (11 units)

  • Creative Collaboration
  • The Creative North
  • Art
  • Dance
  • Songs and Stories of Place
  • Studio Practice 1
  • Studio Practice 2
  • Interdisciplinary Project
  • Studio Practice 3
  • Studio Practice 4
  • First Nations Creatives
  • Activists and Thinkers (title change from 2026)
  • Artists
  • Artworks and Art Movements

Creative Arts - Majors (7 units)

  • Music Culture and History
  • Music Tools and Materials 1
  • Music Tools and Materials 2
  • Music Tools and Materials 3
  • Studio Practice 5
  • Studio Practice 6
  • Screen Culture
  • Short Film Making
  • Film Editing
  • Cinematography and Lighting (not offered 2025)
  • Studio Practice 5
  • Studio Practice 6
  • Drawing
  • Fibre Art
  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Studio Practice 5
  • Studio Practice 6
  • Creative Arts - Specialist Electives (4-6 units): Arts
  • Ecology and Climate Change
  • Music Tools and Materials 1
  • Studio and Sound Recording
  • Singing for Performance
  • Music Culture and History
  • Screen Culture
  • Short Film Making
  • Digital Image and Photography
  • Drawing
  • Fibre Art
  • Textile Design
  • Music Tools and Materials 2
  • Music Tools and Materials 3
  • Digital Music Composition
  • Choral Studies
  • Digital Media and Online Presence
  • Film Editing
  • Cinematography and Lighting
  • Painting
  • For Creative Arts and Humanities
  • Creative Industry Project
  • Composing and Arranging Music
  • Instrumental or Vocal Practice
  • Location Sound Recording and Design

Career & PR pathway

Which careers in Arts & Design lead to skilled migration depends on the occupation, not the degree title. See the skilled occupation lists guide for which occupations are on each list, and the points calculator to check where you stand.

Admissions

Year 12 completion, ATAR approx 60 or equivalent (STAT score of 140 also accepted)

More Arts & Design programs

All Arts & Design programs in Australia →

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