Bachelor of Creative Arts

NOTE: This course is being phased-out and no longer accepting applications for admission. Current students needing assistance with course planning for completion of the course requirements should contact the Arts and Music Student Centre.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts is a three year full time degree providing a combination of theoretical and practical studies across the fields of visual, literary and performing arts. The course is also available on a part time basis. A fourth year honours program is available to suitable qualified students.

The emphasis of the course is on theoretical studies, supported by practical studies in three disciplines: creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. Both practice and non-practice studies are offered in each year of the course.

The school also offers a sequence of interdisciplinary theory subjects which students may credit to any subject area for the purposes of their major. In addition, elective subjects in arts management are available at third-year and fourth-year honours level.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts has as its objectives that graduates should be able to:

• explore new ways of preparing artists to work in interdisciplinary contexts;

• focus on international influences and the intercultural context of the emerging global community;

• facilitate the multi-skilling appropriate for graduates who will have a number of career changes in their lifetimes;

• emphasise new technologies and new forms which are emerging through the application of these technologies;

• explore ways to strengthen the interface between theory and practice, particularly by deconstructing the art of diverse cultures during different periods of time in order to identify the expressive modes and aesthetics which are common to humankind;

• use core curriculum and community extension activities to develop critical forums which will challenge and change the cultural industry;

• increase the health of the cultural ecology by promoting better understanding between arts producers, managers, critics and consumers.

The Basic Rules

The Bachelor of Creative Arts requires the completion of 300 points of study, comprising:

• at least 87.5 but no more than 125 points at first year level;
• at least 87.5 but no more than 125 points at second year level;
• a minimum of 75 but no more than 125 points at third year level; and
• the completion of at least one major sequence.

Breadth of Study Requirements

In the first year of the course students normally undertake eight single semester 12.5 point subjects, which must be selected from at least three different areas of study. In second year students normally undertake eight subject across three areas with no more than 50 percent in any one area of study. In third year students normally undertake eight subjects, with no more than 50 percent in any one area of study.

Restrictions on Practical Study

Students who commenced the BCA in or before 2003 must complete a minimum 150 points of theory overall with no less than 50 percent theory subjects in any one year.

The Major Sequence

In order to fulfill the requirements for the degree students must undertake at least one major sequence of study. A major is a specialisation in an area of study requiring the completion of a specified number of subjects at each year level in one area. The major consists of:

• 25 points (usually 2 subjects) of first year; and
• 25 points (usually 2 subjects) of second year; and
• 50 points (usually 4 subjects) of third year.

Major sequences may be completed in creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. Approved interdisciplinary theory subjects may be credited to any subject area as part of the major.

Additional Studies

Students may select from additional studies subjects which include arts management subjects. These subjects are not classified as belonging to any particular area of study. The maximum additional studies points that may be taken is 37.5.

Combined Degrees

For the Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Teaching,
Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Music,
For the rules and structure of the Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Laws, see the 2007 Undergraduate Handbook or contact the Arts and Music Student Centre.

First Year Creative Writing Subject

Second Year Creative Writing Subjects

Third Year Creative Writing Subjects

First Year Theatre Studies Subject

Second Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Third Year Theatre Studies Subjects

First Year Visual Media Subjects

Second Year Visual Media Subjects

Students can choose subject from the Bachelor of Arts (BA-Arts) in the study areas of Art History, Screen and Cultural Studies to count towards their visual media subjects. https://psc.unimelb.edu.au/

Third Year Visual Media Subjects

Students can choose subject from the Bachelor of Arts (BA-Arts) in the study areas of Art History, Screen and Cultural Studies to count towards their visual media subjects. https://psc.unimelb.edu.au/

NOTE: This course is being phased-out and no longer accepting applications for admission. There will not be further admission into this program. For information about course requirements and entry into the new generation Bachelor of Arts (B-Arts) see the future students page.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts requires a standard level of ability across all disciplines. It will be assumed students are able to access and attend classes on a regular basis, are capable of learning in a University environment and will be able to take responsibility for their own learning. Any ability beyond this threshold will be robustly supported through the curriculum. There are no pre-requisites for first year subjects, and any intensive use of IT or technologies will be adequately supported. Certain subjects have more specific requirements and demands, such as fieldwork or travelling, which are clearly outlined in the Handbook's subject description.

However, the University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. The Faculty Disability Contact Officer works with students, the University Disability Liaison Unit and teaching staff to assist students with their special requirements, with a particular focus on accommodations for in-class and examination assessment tasks. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability.

Coursework Masters

If you wish to continue your professional studies at postgraduate level, the studies you undertake in your major can provide a direct pathway to Coursework Masters Degrees in areas such as editing, media and communications, public policy and management, international studies, arts management, development studies and many more. Entry is based on academic merit and in most cases requires a Bachelors degree or equivalent in the relevant study area.

You will also be well-prepared to undertake a Melbourne Model Graduate Professional Degree in areas such as law, teaching and commerce.

For more information on entry into a coursework masters degree, please refer to the The Graduate School of Humanities & Social Sciences:

Research Higher Degrees

If you wish to undertake advanced research and explore particular study areas in more depth, there will be opportunities to proceed to a range of Research Higher Degrees at masters and doctoral level. For more information about research higher degree study in Arts, see the Faculty of Arts Graduate Research Programs.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) is designed as a liberal arts first degree, which allows students to specialise in and across the creative arts: creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. It does not provide specific professional training, but provides a foundation education with multiple outcomes. It is a suitable undergraduate degree for any career in public or private industry which requires a degree prior to on-the-job training, because the BCA emphasises teamwork, communication, research skills, creative problem solving and lateral thinking. The BCA is a valuable preparation for a variety of career paths and for leadership and management within the arts sector, including the professions of actor, art gallery director, arts manager, arts critic, designer for theatre or film, film maker, journalist, photographer, public policy in the arts, theatre director, teacher, university lecturer, visual artist, writer. Those students hoping to follow some of the more specific occupational direction in the arts may need to undertake further qualifications following their first degree.