Passionate about art? Our visual arts degree 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 and enjoy a student-centred and studio-based programme where you can follow your interests in art – including painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, sculpture or moving-image.
As a graduate of our visual arts programme, you’ll have a sound understanding of the trends and concepts driving contemporary art, the importance of mātauranga Māori, and how to work collaboratively to produce objects, craft, images, taonga and artefacts.
Thinking about studying at AUT? Book a time with us to discuss your study options.
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Classical Studies, Computing, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Design (Practical Art), Design and Visual Communication, Digital Technologies or Hangarau Matihiko, English, Geography, Hangarau, Hauora, Health, History, History of Art, Mathematics/Pāngarau, Media Studies, Music Studies, Ngā Mahi a Rēhia, Ngā Toi, Ngā Toi Ataata, Ngā Toi Puoro, Painting (Practical Art), Pāngarau, Photography (Practical Art), Physics, Printmaking (Practical Art), Processing Technologies, Psychology, Pūtaiao/Science, Sculpture (Practical Art), Technology/Hangarau, Te Ao Haka, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira, Technology, Visual Arts
Consider starting with:
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 Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata.
Email artbox@aut.ac.nz
You can build your degree in a way that suits you and your interests, and include subjects from outside of visual arts as part of your studies.
To graduate with this degree you need to complete:
These are courses all students in this degree need to take. They cover fundamental visual arts principles and processes, and help you decide which subject to focus on later in your studies. Two of the core courses are the courses Integrated Visual Arts Practices and Professional Contexts in your final semester, which give you a chance to apply what you’ve learnt in a practice-based project and further your understanding of what to expect from a career in the art industry.
Your major is the subject area you want to specialise in. This makes up one third of your degree and consists of courses related to your chosen subject. You can view the list of majors in this degree in the ‘Majors’ tab.
You can choose one of the following options
Your second major, minor(s) and elective courses can be from different AUT degrees; they don’t need to be from visual arts.
Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.
https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/art-and-design/courses/bachelor-of-visual-arts
Your major is the subject area you want to specialise in. It makes up one third of your degree.
If you want to include a second major, you can:
A minor is smaller than a major. It usually consists of four courses.
If you decide to include one or two minors in your degree, you could choose one minor from:
Your minor can't be the same subject you're studying for your major. For example, if your major is Painting, Printmaking and Drawing you can only take a minor in Photography, Sculpture and Moving-image. If your major is Photography, Sculpture and Moving-image, you can only take the Painting, Printmaking and Drawing minor.
You can also choose your minor(s) from subjects outside of visual arts to complement your degree.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.