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Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours (F4A)

Overview (2027)

Duration

Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1
Launceston
Semester 1

"My work is very much about the body, memory, and vulnerability. There’s a rawness to it. I’m not trying to make something pretty. I want to create something that moves people."

After years working in hospitality and caring for others, Maureen decided to pursue a dream she’d long set aside: studying art. Now, having finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania, she’s begun her honours year, something she never imagined would be within reach.

Read more about Maureen's story

The Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours (BFA(Hons)) is a one-year creative arts degree delivered by the School of Creative Arts and Media.

With facilities close to the centre of both Hobart and Launceston, you will have access to world class workshop facilities with generous allocations of studio working space, staffed by dedicated practising artists and designers. You will be engaging in the contemporary practices of art, which, while still firmly having making at their centre, also engage with the world through critical and reflective thinking.

You will explore the contemporary practices of art, which engage with the world through critical and reflective thinking whilst still firmly engaged with practice. Through an intensive study experience, you will develop your own independent research project in the disciplines of visual art, design or theatre and performance, supported by expert supervision and a strong cohort of peers.

In one year of advanced practice-led study, you will have the option of undertaking either Professional Honours or Research Honours, depending on your results and your future aims. Professional Honours focuses on developing skills required for engaging in creative practices outside the university setting, while Research Honours prepares you for undertaking a Research Higher Degree such as an MFA or a PhD.

You will present a conceptually multi-layered, resolved creative work as a result of a project in the disciplines of visual art, design or theatre and performance. We are developing opportunities for our students to participate in contemporary culture, not to just be consumers of it - to actively contribute to the cultural life of our society. You will be able to engage directly with Tasmania’s internationally acclaimed arts culture through our ongoing partnerships with festivals and arts institutions across the state and interact with both Australian and international visiting artists.

A degree in creative arts can be the foundation of a surprising variety of careers, as it develops the generally agreed essential 21st century skills of criticality, creativity, innovation and communication; the only limits are in your imagination.

  • 1 Define and articulate, to relevant audiences, coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying research principles and diverse contexts that inform all aspects of arts practice.
  • 2 Demonstrate intellectual independence and reflexive practice through the critical analysis and evaluation of ideas, artefacts, performances, commentary and knowledge.
  • 3 Exercise well-developed initiative and judgement in developing new cognitive and technical skills, to manage contingencies, and respond critically and creatively to complex problems.
  • 4 Undertake self-directed, speculative inquiry in one or more disciplines to develop research outcomes by adapting advanced knowledge and skills in diverse contexts, and executing projects with unforeseen outcomes.
  • 5 Develop and sustain a creative practice and inquiry that is both autonomous and connected with professional, scholarly, and social communities.
Learn beyond the classroom

Collaboration is an important part of Fine Arts. Depending on your skills and interests, you could be working across Tasmania’s iconic festivals, behind the scenes at a gallery, interpreting collections, or at a museum handling objects not yet for public display. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable insights into how organisations operate and the diverse career pathways available to you.

Studying in Tasmania, our whole Island becomes your campus. Speak with your unit coordinator about how you can gain practical experience by volunteering in research initiatives, becoming an ambassador, or taking part in a work experience program.

Study overseas at one of our partner institutions

Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with airfares, accommodation and other expenses. For more information, please visit Learning Abroad.

Become a Student Ambassador

Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities. Through the Student Ambassador Program you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.

Tasmania is a place filled with creativity, industry, nature, and adventure. Because we’re the only university in the state, you get close access to the industry leaders, artists, and deep thinkers who are shaping our island. That means learning alongside the very best so you can hone your job skills for a successful career.

Whatever you’re passionate about, we’ll give you a hands-on education and an unforgettable adventure with our work integrated learning opportunities

Career outcomes

As a designer, people come to me wanting a solution to a problem. We work out the best way of solving that visually, emotionally and commercially.

Rebecca Birrell, Fine Arts Graduate and Business Owner

Find out more

Graduates from the Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours find employment in a variety of positions within the arts professions, including studio practice, theoretical writing on art, curatorial work, gallery administration, research and teaching, as well as participating in individual and group-generated projects.

Postgraduate study

If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research.

Course structure

In Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours you will complete 100 credit points comprising;

  • 25 credit points of Core units
  • 25 credit points of Core option units
  • a 50 credit point research thesis or a 50 credit point creative project and exegesis.

In your final semester, you will need to enrol in XSB400 which will record your final overall Honours result. This unit is administrative only and does not have classes or assessments.

Entry requirements

At least one of the General Entrance Requirements of the University, and the following course-specific entry requirements must be met for entry into the Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours:

  • Successful completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree with a major in visual or fine arts, design or theatre and performance with a Distinction (70%) average at the University of Tasmania or another approved tertiary institution, or equivalent industry experience, and
  • submission of a project proposal which can be supported by appropriate academic supervision

Admission to Honours courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects and the English language requirements to be eligible for an offer. Admission is conditional on research project and supervisor availability.

English Language Requirements  

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

Course Specific Requirements

At least one of the General Entrance Requirements of the University, and the following course-specific entry requirements must be met for entry into the Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours:

  • Successful completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree with a major in visual or fine arts, design or theatre and performance with  with a Distinction (70%) average at the University of Tasmania or another approved tertiary institution,

or equivalent industry experience, and

  • submission of a project proposal which can be supported by appropriate academic supervision

You may be eligible for advanced standing (i.e. credit points) in this degree if you: Have partially completed an Honours degree or an equivalent award, at the University of Tasmania or another institution. How to apply for a credit transfer Simply apply as part of the standard online application process for this degree. Alternatively, your credit transfer can be assessed independently via the separate Application for Advanced Standing (PDF 182KB).

Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $10,062.21

How is this calculated?

This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.

These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.

HECS-HELP loans

You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.

International students

2027 annual international student tuition fee: $42,263 AUD

The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.

Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 42,263 AUD.

This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Domestic scholarships

For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.