Course Overview

About This Course

class="m-0 section-title__container anchorname" id="overview"> Overview The Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Honours) supports and develops your capacity as a practising artist and active researcher in the field of contemporary art. #1 in Australia and #19 in the world for Art & Design*.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 This degree is designed for students who have successfully completed a three-year degree in contemporary art or craft, or an equivalent field, and who wish to undertake a further year of study to focus exclusively on an individual project. At this level of study, you will engage with high-level intensive subjects, deepening and enriching your practice through expertise, knowledge and criticality. You will be guided through personalised mentorship and individual supervision, as you are introduced to practice-led research and research methodologies. A flexible curriculum provides opportunities for you to develop an individual project and to further your knowledge and capability for professional or highly skilled art practice, and/or further learning at a postgraduate level. Focus of the degree This degree provides a supportive and consultative environment, emphasising independent practice, research and development, where you will form your own project and personal course of study through consultation with academic staff. All academic staff within the degree are artists, theorists or curators with local, national and, in most instances, international experience. You will be introduced to dynamic and exciting practice-led research and research methodologies. The degree is designed as a full-year course of study to build upon your previous undergraduate studies, with a refined contemporary art project as a final outcome. Consequently, having devised an informed and rigorous contemporary art practice, our alumni are ready for high levels of practice and are regularly involved in local, national and international art events, or in undertaking a postgraduate research degree. Sara Retallick, 'Drift', 2018. 16 - channel underwater sound installation, no set duration. Installation view. Photo: Sara Retallick.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

124 La Trobe St, Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

For bachelor/honours degrees via VCE: a study score of at least 27 in VCE units 3 and 4 English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English, Literature or English Language
For Australian Interstate Year 12 or New Zealand NCEA Level 3: achieve a study score in an English course deemed equivalent to VCE requirements; for NCEA Level 3, applicants must have achieved 18 credits in equivalent courses
For equivalent overseas Year 12: completed an equivalent English course with the required study scores
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT): achieve an overall score of at least 156 or a verbal reasoning sub-score of 155
Post-secondary study: satisfactory completion of 2 undergraduate level courses equivalent to at least 24 RMIT University credit points; or satisfactory completion of an AQF accredited award at certificate IV or above (or equivalent)
English language proficiency (2026 pilot): IELTS (Academic) overall 6.5 (no band less than 6.0); TOEFL iBT overall 79 (min. 13 Reading, 12 Listening, 18 Speaking, 21 Writing); PTE (Academic) 58 (no communication band less than 50); C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176 with no less than 169 in any component

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

class="m-0 section-title__container anchorname" id="career"> Career The arts and creative industries continue to grow in Australia, and particularly within Melbourne. This is due to increased interest, along with government support and a longstanding cultural focus across the arts in general. Multi-skilled and employable in a range of creative industries, our graduates continue to make significant contributions to contemporary art and culture, nationally and internationally. In the School of Art at RMIT University we pride ourselves in achieving outcomes that not only prepare for, but enhance the future careers of our graduates. ‘Work ready’ is a term often used to describe these qualities; with our graduates seen as future leaders, or indeed shapers of the ‘world of work’. Many of our graduates have continued on to become: artists in every field of contemporary art, craft, sound and performance art photographers sound engineers musicians and sound performers teachers, academics and researchers curators and museum personnel arts writers and theorists arts administrators and cultural officers technical specialists within a wide range of creative and cultural fields moving image practitioners, including filmmaking. The skills you develop as a deeply creative, critical and independent thinker are skills that are lifelong. These skills make you competitive in any occupation or vocation. The communities and culture you build through this vibrant and intense degree will go on to shape the societies we share. <div

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the English language requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Honours) at RMIT?

For domestic applicants, you need a study score of at least 27 in VCE units 3 and 4 English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English, Literature or English Language. Alternatively, under the 2026 pilot, you can meet requirements via an approved English proficiency test such as IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0), or equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT, PTE (Academic), C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.

Can I meet the English language requirements through post-secondary study rather than a Year 12 qualification?

Yes. For the bachelor/honours degree, you can meet English language requirements through satisfactory completion of 2 undergraduate level courses equivalent to at least 24 RMIT University credit points, or through satisfactory completion of an AQF accredited award at certificate IV or above (or equivalent).

Is the STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test) accepted as a pathway into this honours degree?

Yes, the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is accepted. For entry into bachelor and honours degrees at RMIT, you need to achieve an overall score of at least 156 or a verbal reasoning sub-score of 155.

Are interstate or overseas Year 12 qualifications accepted for entry into this program?

Yes. Applicants with Australian interstate Year 12 or New Zealand NCEA Level 3 qualifications need to achieve a study score in an English course deemed equivalent to VCE requirements; for NCEA Level 3, 18 credits in equivalent courses are required. Applicants with an equivalent overseas Year 12 must have completed an equivalent English course with the required study scores.

What English proficiency tests are accepted for the 2026 intake pilot for domestic applicants?

For the 2026 pilot, RMIT accepts IELTS (Academic) or IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake, TOEFL iBT (note: tests from 21 January 2026 must be the TOEFL iBT Australia test), Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE (A)), C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency. For undergraduate/honours entry, the minimum required scores are IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0), TOEFL iBT overall 79, PTE (A) 58, or C1/C2 176 with no less than 169 in any component. Tests are valid for 2 years from the test date, and at-home or online testing is not accepted.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $74,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $74,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Career Paths

Policy Analyst / Policy OfficerCommunications Officer / ManagerPublic Relations SpecialistContent Writer / CopywriterJournalist / Reporter

Key Skills

Critical thinking and analytical reasoningPersuasive written and oral communicationResearch design and qualitative/quantitative research methodsIntercultural awareness and cross-cultural communicationEthical reasoning and moral philosophy

Full Course Overview

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