Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
240Course code
Overview
The Bachelor of Creative Arts provides an innovative and comprehensive program in contemporary creative arts.
This course offers a transformative learning experience in making, performing, and presenting creative work, leading to careers in the sector's creative, managerial, and leadership roles. The course is designed to support students in developing their unique creative voice through studio practice units with guidance from experienced teachers who are creative professionals. Students collaborate with each other and connect with the creative sector in the context of discovering their creative potential.
The Bachelor of Creative Arts is delivered from an Australian perspective through internal and external delivery to ensure maximum flexibility for learning, with the opportunity to study online, depending on the choice of units and major. Optional field trips in the Northern Territory are available to connect students to on-country arts learning. Students will be inspired by northern Australia's spectacular landscapes and diverse cultures to reflect on and develop their own creative practice.
Students choose to major in one of the following creative disciplines:
Music: Shape your passion for music and sound into a sustainable career by majoring in Music through CDU-s Bachelor of Creative Arts. This innovative and comprehensive contemporary arts program develops knowledge and skills in music performance and theory, technology and production, music history and culture. Specialise in an instrument or composition through studio practice, performance and recording projects, leading to a professional portfolio and showcase presentations.
Screen Media Arts: Develop the confidence to tell the stories of your time on screen by majoring in Screen Media Arts through CDU-s Bachelor of Creative Arts. This innovative and comprehensive contemporary arts program introduces essential knowledge of screen culture and skills in storytelling, cinematography, editing, and visual and audio communications. Specialise in your preferred area of screen media arts through studio practice and projects, leading to a professional portfolio and showcase presentations.
Visual Arts: Realise your creative practice by majoring in Visual Arts through CDU-s Bachelor of Creative Arts. This innovative and comprehensive contemporary arts program explores materials, processes, and techniques fundamental to a rich, independent studio practice. Craft your ideas, knowledge and skills through project-based learning and exhibition opportunities, leading to a professional portfolio and showcase presentations.
Students can study part-time or full-time, online, on campus, or a combination of both.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
The course structure supports the development of future creative practitioners, with most of the learning engaging students in practical activities, learning by doing - making and presenting their creative work.
Course structure
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.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 320 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated. Students are required to:
- Complete the eleven (11) compulsory core units
- Complete seven (7) units for a major
- Pass at least 30 credit points at level 300 from the major
- Take a minimum of 60 credit points of level 300 units
- Take a maximum of 100 credit points from level 100 units
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (11 units) | 110cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 110 credit points as detailed below: CRA100 Creative Collaboration |
| Creative Arts - Majors (7 units) | 70cp | Complete 70 credit points from ONE of the following discipline-specific majors: Students nominate their preferred discipline major with confirmation of the availability of the major on enrolment. Students develop skills in their discipline through the Studio Practice units. Students may change their major before studying CRA106 Studio Practice 2, with approval from the Course Coordinator. Choose ONE of the following majors: MUSIC CRA116 Music Culture and History SCREEN MEDIA ARTS CRA121 Screen Culture VISUAL ARTS CRA126 Figure and Ground: Drawing |
| Creative Arts - Specialist Electives (4-6 units) | 40-60cp | Complete 40-60 credit points as detailed below:
Complete 20-40 credit points from the following list of 100/200 level units CRA103 Arts, Ecology and Climate Change Complete 20-40 credit points from the following list of 300 level units: CRA301 Research Methods and Project: For Creative Arts and Humanities
|
| General Electives (0-2 units) | 0-20cp | Units totalling between 0-20 credit points may be selected from undergraduate units offered by the University. When selecting electives, choose units at a suitable level, the first number in each unit code indicates the year at which the subject is taught. Undergraduate units are coded at 100 to 300 level therefore units coded as IAS1xx, IAS2xx and IAS3xx would be first, second and third year units respectively. Note: No more than 10 credit points may be taken from 100 level units. |
| 240cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (240cp)
- A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units.
- A minimum of 60 credit points may be taken from 300 level units, or above.
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | ME = Major Elective | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CRA102 Art, Dance, Songs and Stories of Place | CO | CRA101 The Creative North | CO |
| CRA105 Studio Practice 1 | CO | CRA106 Studio Practice 2 | CO |
| CRA100 Creative Collaboration | CO | Major Elective - 100 level | ME |
| Major Elective - 100 level | ME | Specialist Elective - 100 level | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| CRA205 Studio Practice 3 | CO | CRA206 Studio Practice 4 | CO |
| CRA211 Artists, Artworks, and Art Movements | CO | CRA200 Interdisciplinary Project | CO |
| Major Elective - 200 level | ME | Major elective - 200 level | ME |
| Specialist Elective - 100/200 level | SE | CRA210 Creative of Time and Place | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| CRA305 Studio Practice 5 | ME | CRA306 Studio Practice 6 | ME |
| CRA330 Creative Enterprise | CO | CRA300 Showcase | ME |
| Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE | Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE |
| Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E | Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E |
Suggested General Electives for Creative Arts Students
| Arts | IAS203 Artificial Intelligence and Human Societies IAS204 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society IAS205 Environment and Climate Change, Writing and Reporting | Business | MAN105 Introduction to Management ENT101 Entrepreneurship Fundamentals - Part A AND ENT102 Entrepreneurship Fundamentals - Part B MKT103 Fundamentals of Marketing MAN204 Project Management BUS303 Global Digital Enterprise | |
| Arts: Media Studies, Literature and Creative Writing | IAS111 Introduction to Australasian Literature IAS112 Creative Practice in a Digital Context IAS211 Media and Professional Writing IAS214 Contemporary Literature and Writing IAS311 Writing Journalism and Media Ethics IAS313 Workshop in Creative Writing IAS314 Research in Literary Studies | Education | ECU100 Arts for Education ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | |
| Arts: Australian Indigenous Knowledges | IAS142 Ethics and Protocols in Indigenous Contexts IAS223 Representing and Recording Country IAS252 Language and Identity IAS322 Research with Indigenous People IAS351 Indigenous Networking and Collaboration | Environmental Sciences | ENV103 Environmental Issues | |
| Arts: Languages | IAS161 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 IAS162 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS261 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 IAS262 Yolngu Languages and Culture 4 | Information Technology | HIT137 Software Now HIT164 Computing Fundamentals HIT172 Operating Systems and Applications HIT226 Mobile Web Structures HIT237 Building Interactive Software HIT238 The Mobile Paradigm HIT381 Human Computer Interaction and Design HIT401 Capstone Project |
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | ME = Major Elective | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CRA102 Art, Dance, Songs and Stories of Place | CO | CRA101 The Creative North | CO |
| CRA105 Studio Practice 1 | CO | CRA106 Studio Practice 2 | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| CRA100 Creative Collaboration | CO | Major Elective - 100 level | ME |
| Major Elective - 100 level | ME | Specialist Elective - 100 level | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| CRA205 Studio Practice 3 | CO | CRA210 Creative of Time and Place | CO |
| Major Elective - 200 level | ME | CRA200 Interdisciplinary Project | CO |
| Year 4 | |||
| CRA211 Artists, Artworks, and Art Movements | CO | CRA206 Studio Practice 4 | CO |
| Specialist Elective - 100/200 level | SE | Major Elective - 200 level | ME |
| Year 5 | |||
| CRA305 Studio Practice 5 | ME | CRA306 Studio Practice 6 | ME |
| Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE | Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE |
| Year 6 | |||
| CRA330 Creative Enterprise | CO | CRA300 Showcase | ME |
| Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E | Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | ME = Major Elective | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CRA105 Studio Practice 1 | CO | ||
| CRA106 Studio Practice 2 | CO | ||
| CRA101 The Creative North | CO | ||
| Major Elective - 100 level | ME | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| CRA205 Studio Practice 3 | CO | CRA206 Studio Practice 4 | CO |
| CRA100 Creative Collaboration | CO | CRA200 Interdisciplinary Project | CO |
| Major Elective - 100 level | ME | Major Elective - 200 level | ME |
| Major Elective - 200 level | ME | Specialist Elective - 100 level | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| CRA305 Studio Practice 5 | ME | CRA306 Studio Practice 6 | ME |
| CRA211 Artists, Artworks, and Art Movements | CO | CRA300 Showcase | ME |
| CRA102 Art, Dance, Songs and Stories of Place | CO | Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE |
| Specialist Elective - 100/200 level | SE | Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E |
| Year 4 | |||
| CRA330 Creative Enterprise | CO | ||
| CRA210 Creative of Time and Place | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E | ||
Suggested General Electives for Creative Arts Students
| Arts | IAS203 Artificial Intelligence and Human Societies IAS204 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society IAS205 Environment and Climate Change, Writing and Reporting | Business | MAN105 Introduction to Management ENT101 Entrepreneurship Fundamentals - Part A AND ENT102 Entrepreneurship Fundamentals - Part B MKT103 Fundamentals of Marketing MAN204 Project Management BUS303 Global Digital Enterprise | |
| Arts: Media Studies, Literature and Creative Writing | IAS111 Introduction to Australasian Literature IAS112 Creative Practice in a Digital Context IAS211 Media and Professional Writing IAS214 Contemporary Literature and Writing IAS311 Writing Journalism and Media Ethics IAS313 Workshop in Creative Writing IAS314 Research in Literary Studies | Education | ECU100 Arts for Education ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | |
| Arts: Australian Indigenous Knowledges | IAS142 Ethics and Protocols in Indigenous Contexts IAS223 Representing and Recording Country IAS252 Language and Identity IAS322 Research with Indigenous People IAS351 Indigenous Networking and Collaboration | Environmental Sciences | ENV103 Environmental Issues | |
| Arts: Languages | IAS161 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 IAS162 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS261 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 IAS262 Yolngu Languages and Culture 4 | Information Technology | HIT137 Software Now HIT164 Computing Fundamentals HIT172 Operating Systems and Applications HIT226 Mobile Web Structures HIT237 Building Interactive Software HIT238 The Mobile Paradigm HIT381 Human Computer Interaction and Design HIT401 Capstone Project |
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | ME = Major Elective | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CRA101 The Creative North | CO | ||
| Major Elective - 100 level | ME | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| CRA100 Creative Collaboration | CO | Specialist Elective - 100 level | SE |
| CRA105 Studio Practice 1 | CO | CRA106 Studio Practice 2 | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| Major Elective - 100 level | ME | CRA200 Interdisciplinary Project | CO |
| CRA102 Art, Dance, Songs and Stories of Place | CO | Specialist Elective - 200 | SE |
| Year 4 | |||
| CRA205 Studio Practice 3 | CO | CRA206 Studio Practice 4 | CO |
| Major Elective - 200 level | ME | Major Elective - 200 level | ME |
| Year 5 | |||
| CRA305 Studio Practice 5 | ME | CRA306 Studio Practice 6 | ME |
| Specialist Elective - 100 level | SE | CRA210 Creative of Time and Place | CO |
| Year 6 | |||
| CRA211 Artists, Artworks, and Art Movements | CO | CRA300 Showcase | ME |
| Specialist Elective - 200/300 level | SE | Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E |
| Year 7 | |||
| CRA330 Creative Enterprise | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective or General Elective - 200/300 level | SE/E | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
- Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
- Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
- Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
- Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
- Current School Leaver Pathways:
- Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
- School recommendation program
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 3 (ZEAP30) | Successful completion of EAP003 English for Academic Purposes 3 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B2. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
Course details
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Student profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.
International applicants currently studying year 12 in Australia should apply via SATAC.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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