Australian Catholic University
Diploma of Visual Arts and Design
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Level
Diploma
Duration
1.0F/P
Campus
Melbourne (VIC)
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Home Tuition
A$9,880 (maximum student contribution 2027 (indicative))
Intake
TBD
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Course Overview
Diploma of Visual Arts and Design at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia is a diploma programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
Student life (indicative)
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and a world leader in café culture, food diversity, live music and the arts. Students consistently rate it as one of the best cities in the world to live and study.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
35,037
Staff Ratio
18.0:1
International
17.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
81.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£33,970
First-year earnings
Costs & Living
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Diploma of Visual Arts and Design
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Current Year 12 graduates Inherent requirements To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of year 12 level.
- Recent Year 12 graduates Inherent requirements To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of year 12 level.
- Applicants with Higher Education study Inherent requirements To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of year 12 level.
- Applicants with VET study Inherent requirements To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of year 12 level.
- Applicants with work and life experience Inherent requirements To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of year 12 level. | Current Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- Subject adjustment A study score of 35 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, any English, History: Australian History, Industry and Enterprise, any LOTE, Media, Maths: General Mathematics, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 1 aggregate point per study.
- A study score of 40 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, Economics, History: Australian History, Industry and Enterprise, any LOTE, Media, Maths: General Mathematics, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- Overall maximum of 5 points.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Recent Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- Subject adjustment A study score of 35 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, any English, History: Australian History, Industry and Enterprise, any LOTE, Media, Maths: General Mathematics, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 1 aggregate point per study.
- A study score of 40 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, Economics, History: Australian History, Industry and Enterprise, any LOTE, Media, Maths: General Mathematics, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- Overall maximum of 5 points.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website
Source: CourseSeeker (Australian Government), retrieved September 2026. Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
35,037
Total students
Staff Ratio
18:1
Students per staff
International Students
17%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Good (close to station or regional airport)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle
Student Life & City (indicative)
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and a world leader in café culture, food diversity, live music and the arts. Students consistently rate it as one of the best cities in the world to live and study.
- Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and a world leader in café culture, food diversity, live music and the arts.
- Students consistently rate it as one of the best cities in the world to live and study.
What Students Love
- Rich arts & cultural scene
- Great café culture
- Diverse international food scene
- Active music scene
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
81%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£33,970
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✗ Not offered
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
- Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Education
- Healthcare
- Social Work
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $2,255/month (housing $1,370, food $475, transport $140). Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.
- Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $2,255/month (housing $1,370, food $475, transport $140).
- Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.