The Bachelor of Art Theory offers an intensive study of the visual arts, design and culture. 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, design management, curatorship, art and design criticism and writing, public programming and policy formation 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 will have benefited 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. They will have gained an understanding of and experience in the arts and design industries.

The Bachelor of Art Theory comprises a theory major and a co-major, open electives and General Education courses. Students take a total of 48 units of credit per year; the program totals 144 units. 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 methodological tools and concerns in Art and Design History. These courses provide a framework for other studies in the program.

Contextual Studies
In addition, students take a sequence of contextual studies courses, normally in Art and Design contexts.
Students may take a different sequence, subject to the approval of the course authority.

Art Industry Contexts courses explore the institutional contexts in which art is exhibited, catalogued, collected, interpreted, evaluated and promoted. Although careers within the arts-related professions frequently require further study, these courses provide 'hands-on' experience in writing and publishing, curating, and the avenues for funding.

Art and Design Contexts includes courses which allow students to place the broader understandings of art and design history and theory explored in the major into the context of a close investigation of histories.

Studio Contexts includes practical courses in the art and design studio that explore the workings of either the design industry or art practice.

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, Art Education, 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.

Table A: Approved Courses for the Major in Art and Design Theory

Level 1

and/or Level 1 courses for which there are no pre-requisites, subject to approval by the Program Authority.

Upper Level

Critical Theory and Museum Studies

For enrolment into Research Project, approval by the Head of School is required.

Or Upper Level courses subject to approval by the Program Authority.

Table B: Approved Courses for Contextual Studies in Art and Design

Art Industry Contexts

Any SART, SOMA or SDES studio course, subject to approval of the Program Authority.

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.

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

To be eligible for entry to Honours, a student must have achieved a Distinction average in 48 units of credit in Art Theory core courses in Years 2 and 3. 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. Students with a degree of Bachelor at Pass level may be permitted to enrol for the award of the degree at Honours level with credit for all courses completed, if during their studies for the Pass degree, they have satisfied the prerequisites for entry to the Honours level or the equivalent of those prerequisites.

To be eligible for the award of BArtTh(Hons), students must complete all requirements of the Pass degree (see below) and complete an additional 48 units of credit over the equivalent of 1 year full-time. 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%.

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

a) a major in Art and Design Theory, made up of 78 units of credit in approved courses [see Art Theory Table A], which must include the following Level 1 courses: SAHT1101, SAHT1102, SAHT1211 and SAHT1221;

b) 30 units of credit in courses approved as Art Theory Contextual Studies [see Art Theory Table B], which must include SAHT1221;

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

d) 24 units of credit in electives; and

e) 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 web-page:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html