Bachelor of Visual Arts
Passionate about art? Our Bachelor of Visual Arts prepares you for the demands of a career in contemporary art, whether as an artist or in the many other roles within the art sector.
Study visual arts with us and enjoy a student-centred and studio-based programme where you can follow your interests in art – including painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, sculpture, installation, moving image, sound, performance, social practice, multimedia approaches, and new and emerging technologies.
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Start date: 2022
- Download our Art & Design programme guide [PDF, 2.8 MB]
Minimum entry requirements
- University Entrance
- Portfolio of art work
Portfolio guidelines: applying to study art and design
International student entry requirements
Preferential entry
You may be eligible for preferential entry to the Bachelor of Visual Arts if:
- You are a current Year 13 student at a NZ secondary school, and
- You have achieved NCEA Level 2 with Excellence endorsement overall and with an Excellence endorsement in one or more approved art, design or technology subjects, or
- You have achieved an A grade in three subjects at AS level, and an A or B AS grade in one or more approved art, design or technology subjects in the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
This means you won’t need to submit a portfolio of art or design work. If you believe you are eligible for preferential entry, apply online and submit your application without a portfolio.
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher; or equivalent
Useful New Zealand school subjects
Classical Studies, English, History of Art, Media Studies, Ngā Toi, Ngā Toi Ataata, Painting (Practical Art), Photography (Practical Art), Printmaking (Practical Art), Sculpture (Practical Art), Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira
Transferring to AUT (recognition of prior learning)
You may be eligible to enter Year 2 or Year 3 of our visual arts degree if you have completed all or part of a design or visual arts degree at another approved tertiary institution. Applications for cross-credits will normally be assessed after you receive an offer of place for the Bachelor of Visual Arts.
Email artbox@aut.ac.nz
In the Bachelor of Visual Arts degree you can specialise in one of three pathways:
Explore the breadth of the expanded field of sculpture in contemporary art. You'll be encouraged to develop individual approaches to your making through experimental and open-ended investigative methods.
There's a strong focus on the exploration of sculptural concepts and ideas driving contemporary art; object making, installation, performance and social art practices.
What this pathway covers
- Casting
- Metal fabrication and wood construction
- Digital fabrication including 3D printing, laser cutting, virtual 3D modelling and CNC carving
- Post-digital and post-object practices, which include video, sound, performance, social practices, internet systems, physical computing, AI and other speculative practices
You'll engage with contemporary scholarship concerning sculpture inclusive of materiality, time, contingent objects, space, site and place, to become a critically informed and socially engaged practitioner who works as confidently with new technologies as with traditional processes.
You'll approach image making as a process that involves the interaction between visual qualities, ideas, technologies and media. Using media and technologies in ways that suit your inventive purposes, you'll then develop a territory of interest for art making.
Participate in workshops and seminars on painting concepts and techniques, printmaking concepts and techniques, studio practice and how to work with ideas and images, and on the critical analysis of works of art.
What this pathway covers
- Drawing
- Relief
- Intaglio
- Screen and digital printing
- Painting supports, materials and techniques
- Textile printing
- Virtual reality drawing/painting
- Bookbinding
You'll engage with contemporary scholarship concerning painting and printmaking including:
- Representation
- Colour
- Figuration
- Relationship to photographic and mediated images
- Histories of painting and printmaking
Develop an independent lens-based direction from a foundation of learning in photographic theory and technical learning.
You'll work with a broad range of high-end equipment and facilities, including large format analogue photography, studio lighting and digital processes that include moving image work. By questioning what photography is and how it operates in the world today, you'll develop a photographic art practice that is critical and current.
What this pathway covers
- Digital camera technology (including DSLR and medium format)
- Analogue camera technology (including pinhole, medium and large format)
- Fundamental photographic technical processes (including exposure, colour temperature, light metering, focus)
- Studio flash lighting
- Digital scanning
- Film processing
- Darkroom printing
- Digital printing
- Digital video camera technology
- Video editing
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Digital stitching
- Moving image
- Photographic installation
You'll engage with contemporary scholarship concerning photographic representation, portraiture and documentary; the relationships between moving image and installation practice, photography and video's relationship to ideas of time, race, colonial histories and decolonisation.
Minors
You can study the following minors when you are enrolled in the Bachelor of Design or the Bachelor of Visual Arts:
Cinematic Arts
Discover the possibilities of filmmaking through analogue and digital cinematography, sound recording and audio design, editing and post-production, storytelling and industry workflow, to make a short narrative, experimental or documentary film.
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Contemporary Pacific
Develop your creative practice drawing on contemporary and traditional Pacific concepts, contexts and material culture. Pacific concepts and stories are explored in relation to pattern, movement, and spatial systems.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Creative Entrepreneurship
Build your creative business confidence and capability by combining your creative strengths with business skills and understandings to transform your ideas and concepts for the future.
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the courses below, including a Level 7 course or both compulsory core courses ARDN502 and ARDN702, in addition to 30 points from DESN600, DESN601, MARS501, ENTR501 of which at least one course or 15 points must be at level 6.
Level 5 courses
- ARDN502 Introduction to Business for Art and Design
- ENTR501 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- MARS501 Marketing Insights
Level 6 courses
Level 7 course
Design for Sustainability
Discover how art and design can contribute to a new future where both people and our planet will prosper. Explore ecological and social aspects of design for sustainability.
courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Design Thinking
Design thinking is a mindset and set of creative methods that can be used to interrogate, understand and solve real-life business, social and environmental problems.
Working collaboratively with others, you'll learn to develop an understanding of the needs of the people you're designing for, experiment and explore creative ideas, and create physical and experiential design solutions.
This minor is aimed at students who are interested in developing design thinking expertise to support their major discipline area.
Minor must include
60 points from courses listed below including DESN501 with at least 15 points at level 7
Digital Fabrication
Explores how digital fabrication can facilitate art and design creative practices, through the utilisation and application of a range of current and emergent technologies.
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Experimental Surface Design
Supports the experimental development of surface practice across a range of disciplines and potential applications. Emphasis is placed upon the importance of learning through making and the relationship between the maker, the materials, the process of making and the work. Students develop conceptual and technical surface design knowledge through applied materials practice.
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you'll study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Motion Capture
Explores motion capture (mocap) technology that records human movement as 3D data for use in a range of design and creative disciplines.
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Photographic Practice
Explore visual conventions and develop technical competencies to include DSLR camera fundamentals, exposure and lighting control, composition principles and image making strategies for focused project outcomes.
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Temporary Practices/Temporary Publics
As artists and designers, we are interested in practising by making – doing projects that have currency and real-world capacity. We work through ideas of site, collaboration and publication in order to create events. Temporary Practices is an experimental, creative field of making. This minor supports the development of work across a range of disciplines and potential applications by using AUT facilities (3D Lab, WetLab, Bindery, Risograph printer).
Courses are delivered over one semester and are worth 15 points each. You will need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you will study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
Minor must include
60 points from the following courses:
Additional majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees
Add an additional major or a minor to your bachelor’s degree and study another area that interests you. You can choose from a wide range of additional majors or minors.
Enrolment in minors is subject to availability (not all minors listed above will be open each year). You also have the option of studying a minor or elective courses from outside the Bachelor of Visual Arts.
Your study is based in the making of art, supported by theory classes along with a mix of one-on-one tutorials, group critiques, seminars, exhibitions, visits from artists and critics, noho marae, and gallery visits.
Bachelor of Visual Arts courses are delivered over either one semester or a full year. If you're a full-time student, you normally complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree). In each year you will study and complete core compulsory courses alongside your selected minor.
Year 1
Explore the fundamentals of visual arts theory and practice. You're encouraged to develop your own artistic interests and approaches to art-making. You'll cover a wide range of materials, media and processes.
You study the following courses
- VSAR501 Visual Arts Studio I (30 points)
- VSAR502 Visual Arts Theory I (30 points)
- VSAR503 Visual Arts Core Studio (45 points)
You also study one course from your chosen minor.
Year 2
You continue doing a mix of studio and theory courses, specialising in sculpture and intermedia, painting and printmaking, or photography and lens-based media. You develop advanced visual, media, method and conceptual skills, and create a coherent body of art, with increasing self-reliance.
You study the following courses
You also study two courses from your chosen minor.
Year 3
At the end of Year 3 of the Bachelor of Visual Arts, you have the opportunity to exhibit your work through the AUT School of Art and Design festival
You study the following courses
- VSAR701 Visual Arts Studio III (75 points)
- VSAR702 Visual Arts Theory III (15 points)
- VSAR703 Visual Arts Professional Practice (15 points)
You also study one course from your chosen minor.
More details about courses in this programme
Search for a course (Arion)
Detailed progamme structure and course outlines (Blackboard)
Email artbox@aut.ac.nz
Enrolment in courses is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of courses.
AUT Bachelor of Visual Arts alumni are now carving successful careers around the world, as notable artists, curators, arts administrators, academics, teachers and technicians.
Art industries
- Artist
- Arts administrator, manager or director
- Art consultant
- Art critic, historian, commentator, writer or researcher
Museums and galleries
- Art gallery manager or owner
- Curator
- Gallery technician
- Conservation
Arts education
- Teacher
- Community education
- Gallery educator
Creative technologies
- Film industry
- Commercial photographer
- Interactive designer
- Web designer
Community development
- Community and public art management and coordination
- Arts advocacy roles
Creative entrepreneur
- Craft business
- Art fair developers
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Broaden your options by studying double degrees
Double degrees double your knowledge and opportunities but don't necessarily take double the time to complete. If you study double degrees, you apply for and enrol separately in each of the two degrees. If you’re considering doing this, please seek course advice to discuss your plans. You may be able to cross-credit relevant courses from one degree to the other, although the number of cross-credits will vary depending on the degree combinations. Double degrees may be completed either one after the other or concurrently.
Study the Bachelor of Visual Arts and:
Detailed programme structure
By studying both degrees you develop design skills for roles in visual arts and business. This includes the ability to create high value products, services and brands, and to balance creative design and strategic thinking to complement design and business.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study will open up even more career opportunities for you. Our 18-month master's degree will enable you to specialise in and research a particular area within your chosen discipline.
$6,786 - $6,835
- This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
- Check if you're eligible for fees-free study
$34,513
- This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.