The Bachelor of Art Theory offers intensive study of the visual arts and design. The degree program encourages students to take full advantage of its location within one of Australia's largest art and design schools and a leading university. The degree offers students in-depth study of art and/or design history and theory and prepares students for research careers or professional employment in the arts or design industries. Examples of likely careers include art administration, art and design criticism, art historical research, curating, museum education and arts project management.

Graduates from the Bachelor of Art Theory will have the ability to make informed critical judgements about various forms of visual culture, with a particular emphasis on understanding the visual arts and design and the historical-theoretical interpretation of images and objects.

Graduates may benefit from the opportunity to combine theoretical and historical studies with studio-based subjects in art and design and to draw on a wide range of electives offered within the University.

The Bachelor of Art Theory comprises a theory major, open electives and General Education courses. Students take a total of 48 units of credit per year; the program totals 144 units of credit. The duration of the program is three years full-time equivalent.

Theory Major
Students take courses in the Art and Design Theory major to gain an understanding of the history of Art and Design. Some courses address key methods in art history. These courses provide a framework for other studies in the program.

Open Electives
These courses allow students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career aspirations. Students are encouraged to take at least one elective from studio courses offered by the Schools of Art, Media Arts or Design Studies. Courses may be chosen from any of those offered by Schools of the College of Fine Arts, or by other Faculties of UNSW, subject to prerequisite requirements.

Students are required as part of their studies, to complete 12 units of credit in General Education courses or their equivalent. General Education courses, normally taken at Kensington campus, contribute to the broad educational objectives of the degree. No more than 3UOC may be taken from COFA General Education courses.

For further information, please refer to General Education in the Table of Contents to the left of this page.

To be eligible to graduate with Honours students must complete all requirements of the Pass degree (see Academic Rules) and complete an additional 48 units of credit over the equivalent of 1 year full-time.

a) Entry from completed 3rd year (without having graduated):
To be eligible for entry to Honours a student must have achieved a distinction average in 48UOC in Art Theory core courses in years two and three. Students will normally nominate at the end of year 2 but must nominate no later than the end of year 3, and must complete a course in research practices in art and design prior to entry to the Honours program.

b) Entry where candidate has graduated with a Pass-level degree:
Applicants with a degree of bachelor at pass level (i.e. without honours) may be permitted to enrol in honours with credit for all courses in the program prior to honours. In this case applicants must satisfy the prerequisites for entry to the honours or the equivalent of those prerequisites.

The additional Honours study consists of:

1. SAHT4211 Thesis A and SAHT4213 Thesis B;

2. SAHT4212 Honours Seminar [which may be substituted by an Upper Level or postgraduate course, subject to approval by the Program Authority]; and

3. 6 units of credit from an Upper Level or postgraduate course, subject to approval by the Program Authority.

Honours is awarded in the following classes: Honours Class 1, Honours Class 2 Division 1 and Honours Class 2 Division 2. The class of Honours awarded shall be determined on the following weightings: Thesis 70%, Honours Seminar 15%, Elective course 15%. Honours is not awarded where the weighted mark is less than 65.

Students must complete and pass 144 units of credit. This comprises:

a) a major in Art and Design Theory, made up of 90 units of credit in approved courses, which must include the following Level 1 courses: SAHT1101, SAHT1102, SAHT1211, SAHT1221 and SAHT1212;

b) 12 units of credit in approved General Education courses;

c) 42 units of credit in electives; and

d) no more than 60 units of credit in Level 1 courses will be counted towards the degree, with a minimum of 24 units of credit in Level 1 courses being successfully completed prior to undertaking Upper Level courses.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html