Visual Arts

Do you want to unleash your artist within? Come to CIT and learn how to turn your creative passion into your career. In this course, you will combine specialised technical, creative and conceptual skills to prepare for, and develop an emerging arts practice. You will gain the skills and knowledge to be able to plan and realise a body of work in one or more art forms.

Our experienced, industry-skilled teachers will show you how to direct your imagination into producing artworks that show creativity, ingenuity, and technique in your chosen art form. You will learn to take an idea from concept to realised artwork and draw from a range of inspirations and techniques that will form your lifelong artistic practice.

Your visual arts practice will be underpinned by a sound grasp of art theory and history and the ability to critically analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources.

  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Diploma of Visual Arts | CUA51120
    CRICOS: 111244A

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    1 year – two semesters full-time with a minimum of 20 hours face-to-face at CIT Woden campus with the addition of 8-10 hours of independent study.

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2026 Semester 1 (February)

    2027 Semester 1 (February)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Woden

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2026: $8,490 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $16,980)

    Extra Fees:

    Material fees: $290.00

    Material kit: $230.00

    Uniform/equipment: Hard drive or cloud storage $100

    Stationery Printing costs: $200

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent)
    • A portfolio of work that demonstrates your aptitude for design. A portfolio may be either:
      • A collection of your own work from a range of activities and media types or
      • A collection of design solutions that you have found while researching this area of design, showing you have an understanding and appreciation of design basics. Images should be accompanied by a paragraph explaining why you appreciate the image/design. These may include: drawing, photography, painting, printmaking or graphic design projects. You may also focus on an artist, architect or designer whose work you enjoy. Refer to the following link for guidelines
        CIT Portfolio Guidelines Visual Arts
    • Interview (or other negotiated process)
    • Basic computing skills
    • Individuals must provide evidence of their technical and organisational skills to conceptualise and create works in selected visual arts media.

    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    Literacy Skills Information

    We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 4 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills or you may prefer to begin with the lower level course.

    English requirements

    Students must meet one of the following English requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (no band score less than 5.0)
    • PTE Academic - 50 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 169
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Visual Arts | CUA51120 – 15 subjects

    Core: Complete all 5 subjects

    • CUAACD531  Refine drawing and other visual representation tools
    • CUAPPR511  Realise a body of creative work
    • CUAPPR512 Develop sustainability of professional practice
    • CUAPPR513 Present a body of own creative work
    • CUAPPR515 Establish and maintain safe creative practice

    Electives: Complete minimum of 6 subjects

    • CUASCU511  Refine sculptural techniques
    • CUADRA501  Refine drawing techniques
    • CUASCU512  Investigate sculptural materials and processes
    • CUAPAI511  Refine painting techniques
    • CUAPAI512  Investigate painting materials and processes
    • CUAPRI511  Refine printmaking techniques
    • CUADIG518  Refine digital art techniques
    • CUAACD523  Make mixed media artworks
    • CUAACD532  Create observational drawings
    • CUAACD412  Experiment with moulding and casting techniques

    Electives: Must complete 2

    • CUAIND512  Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge
    • BSBMKG433  Undertake marketing activities
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Entry to other tertiary or higher education art and design programs. Visual artists work in a wide range of contexts across the arts and other industries. They are often sole practitioners but may also hold positions in government or commercial organisations. Artists work within and across many media, and their practice may incorporate ceramics, digital art, glasswork, drawing and illustration, jewellery making, painting, photo-media, printmaking, sculpture, textile design and wood design.

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Modes of study include:

    • simulated workplaces for students to practice their new skills include large artist studios and specialty print and sculpture workshops fully equipped with creative tools and technologies
    • work experience includes participating in industry-led workshops, attending public exhibitions and working studios
    • supervised study time with industry specialists
    • on-line learning and student engagement through e-Learn


    Students will be assessed in the following ways:

    • Participation in studio workshops, complete assignments and projects
    • Assessment may be based on competency, marks and grades, or a combination of all three methods
  • Pathways to Further Study
    • Completion of this qualification may provide you with credit towards a Bachelor degree in a related course. CIT maintains relationships with several local and regional universities such as ANU, UC, ACU and CSU. Credit arrangements are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, contact the university directly.