Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Illustration and Animation immerses you in traditional and digital animation, character development and dynamic visual storytelling. You gain essential skills in drawing, traditional and digital illustration media, 2D and 3D animation, stop-motion, motion capture and visual effects, learning to create content for publishing, entertainment, gaming, film and advertising.
First year explores foundational concepts in illustration and animation — techniques in drawing, illustration and animation for 2D, 3D and stop-motion, the principles of animation, and a strong base in communication, design and storytelling through pictures.
Second year covers character development, marquette production, comic book design, pictorial narrative creation, digital effects and advanced 2D animation, along with more complex projects incorporating 3D animation techniques, editorial illustration and portraiture, and advanced traditional and digital illustration techniques.
Your final year takes on advanced industry-focused projects that integrate everything from the first two years, with practical courses in advanced life drawing, illustration and animation in professional settings.
You work with cutting-edge technologies including visual effects software and augmented and virtual reality, learn in industry-standard studios, and collaborate across disciplines such as graphic design, product design, visual effects and fine arts.
Throughout the degree you develop a professional portfolio to showcase your skills. The program is 144 units, all core courses, and runs full time over three years across the Adelaide City and Magill campuses.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported

Duration

3 years full-time

Intakes

February, July

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ABP157
Entry scores:
• 2026 cut-offs — Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (ATAR-based): 70
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (Grades-based): B, B, B
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.
• Work and life experience — Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR Three years experience in a related industry, or a portfolio of design work and written statement; OR Qualify for special entry
ATAR profile (2026 Semester 1 intake, ATAR-based offers):
• Highest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 96.6, selection rank 99.2
• Median rank to receive an offer — ATAR 75.58, selection rank 77.95
• Lowest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 59.85, selection rank 67.05

International students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum entry requirements:
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.
Indicative academic entry requirements by country:
• Australia — ATAR: 70
• Canada — Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 65%
• China — Gaokao: 60%
• Denmark — Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma): 4 (Fair)
• France — French Baccalaureate: 11.0
• Global — International Baccalaureate: 25
• Hong Kong — Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): 16
• India — CBSE and CISCE: 65
• India — State Board Examinations: 75
• Indonesia — SMA III: 75%
• Kenya — Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): B+
• Malaysia — Matrikulasi: 2.67
• Malaysia — Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): 2.67
• Malaysia — United Entrance Certificate (UEC): 30
• Norway — Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering: 3.2
• Philippines — High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12: 86%
• Singapore — Singapore GCE Advanced Levels: 7
• South Korea — College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 300
• Sri Lanka — GCE A Levels: 8
• Sweden — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: 13.0
• Taiwan — GSAT %: 60%
• Taiwan GSAT — Score out of 60: 34
• Thailand — Matayom 6: 3.20
• UK / Global — GCE Advanced Levels: 7
• USA / Global — Advanced Placement (AP): 7
• USA / Global — America College Test (ACT): 21
• USA / Global — Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): 1100
• Vietnam — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12): 7.8
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 6.5
• IELTS Reading 6
• IELTS Listening 6
• IELTS Speaking 6
• IELTS Writing 6

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates work across film studios, gaming companies, advertising agencies and publishing companies, in sectors including publishing, entertainment, gaming, media and advertising. Roles include:
• Animator
• Illustrator
• Game designer
• Character designer
• Comic and graphic novel creator
• Concept and cinematic designer
• Visual effects artist

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units20 units

GRAP1020

Introduction to 3D

GRAP1004

Digital Design Principles and Methods

GRAP1007

Introduction to Illustration and Animation

GRAP1001

Drawing for Art and Design

GRAP1009

Animation Studio 1

GRAP1008

Illustration Studio 1

COMP1012

Materials and Processes for Fabrication

GRAP1021

Cinematic Design

GRAP2004

Life Drawing

GRAP1000

Thinking By Design

GRAP2008

Animation Studio 2

GRAP2005

Characters, Scenes and Props

GRAP2007

Illustration Studio 2

GRAP1010

Character Performance

GRAP3017

Advanced Life Drawing

GRAP3013

Illustration Studio 3

GRAP3000

Integrated Studio A

GRAP3014

Animation Studio 3

GRAP3018

Integrated Studio B

GRAP3016

Visual Narrative

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Illustration and Animation take to complete?

The Bachelor of Illustration and Animation has a duration of 156 weeks, as listed on the CRICOS registry.

Does the Bachelor of Illustration and Animation include a work placement component?

Yes, the course includes a work component of 300 hours spread over 8 weeks, providing students with practical, real-world experience as part of their degree.

Where is the Bachelor of Illustration and Animation taught?

The course is offered at two Adelaide University locations: the Adelaide City Campus and the Magill Campus, both located in Adelaide, South Australia.

What is the estimated total cost of the Bachelor of Illustration and Animation for international students?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$47,400 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$142,200 across the three-year program. With the AU$993 non-tuition fee, the estimated total course cost is AU$143,193.

Is the Bachelor of Illustration and Animation eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

Eligibility for extended Post-Study Work Rights depends on several criteria, including course status, qualification level, duration of at least 92 weeks, and alignment with the Skills Level 1 priority Field of Education list. This course is a bachelor degree with a duration of 156 weeks in the Graphic and Design Studies narrow field, so it may qualify — however, eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review. Contact ESOS-PolicyTeam@education.gov.au for confirmed information.

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

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

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

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $50,000 to $70,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $70,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

2D Animator3D AnimatorCharacter DesignerVFX Artist (Visual Effects Artist)Motion Graphics Designer

Key Skills

2D and 3D character animation and rigging3D modelling, texturing, and renderingMotion graphics and visual effects (VFX)Game engine proficiency (Unity, Unreal Engine)Digital illustration and concept art

Full Course Overview

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