Why Bachelor of Creative Arts?
Comics are so much more than superheroes in capes. They are a powerful medium for personal expression and social commentary; a way to address complex issues in an accessible way. If you love comics, graphic novels and cartoons, you can turn your passion into a viable career at Adelaide University.
Network with established creatives and build a standout professional portfolio. Meet like-minded peers. Get familiar with the comic book market and publishing landscape. Take your artistic techniques, character development and storytelling to the next level.
Soon, you could be joining the ranks of influential creators and contributing original works to the comic book industry.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Creative Arts builds adaptability and valuable industry connections, setting you up for a successful creative career. Learn from South Australian artists and get real-world experience through events and hands-on projects. Gain crucial business, entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
The Comicbook Creation major covers every step of making a comicbook, from the first spark of an idea to the final printed page. You’ll explore the history and culture of comics, graphic narratives and cartoons. Learn and refine your writing and storytelling techniques across spoken, written and visual formats.
You'll graduate ready to work as a comic book artist, writer or editor in publishing, animation and digital media. Your skills in storytelling and visual design will open doors to exciting careers influencing the cultural and creative economy.
Key features
Study the history and culture of comics, graphic narratives and cartoons.- Learn from working creatives from across South Australia.
- Develop versatile arts and cultural skills for careers in the sector.
- Refine your storytelling techniques across oral, textual and visual formats.
- Graduate with a professional portfolio of work.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Creative Arts will teach you how to think entrepreneurially about your creative identity. It is flexible and practical, with a focus on industry connections, collaborations with peers and work-integrated projects.
You’ll learn about a range of creative arts practices, sampling different subjects or majors before settling on a specific course of study.
Interrogate the role of the cultural industries in society and their importance to social cohesion. Build transferable skills in arts management and business, covering everything from event production to cultural diversity and sustainable development. Work collaboratively to come up with creative solutions to social problems.
In the Comicbook Creation major, you’ll study courses, including:
- Introduction to comic books as literature
- Drawing for Art and Design
- Superheroes: Cinema and Comics.
It will take you through a historical, theoretical and cultural understanding of comics, graphic narratives and cartoons. In creative writing courses, you’ll analyse and develop storytelling techniques in oral, textual and visual forms.
The program combines your literary knowledge and creative writing skills with practical training in animation and illustration. You’ll improve your idea generation, design methodology, sequential storytelling skills and image making processes.
Majors
The Bachelor of Creative Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Creative Industries
- Creative Writing
- Digital Media and Web Design
- Festivals
- Games Design and Production
- Immersive Media
- Performing Arts
- Screen Production.
You can also customise your career path with courses from the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Media and Communications. This means you can pair your major in Comicbook Creation with anything from Creative Writing to Digital Media and Web Design.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 30 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for Electives
Complete 30 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 12 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Creative Worlds: Industries, Identities and Opportunities
|
Course code
CREA1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Solutions: Reimagining Projects
|
Course code
CREA2001
|
Units
6
|
Complete 36 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Comicbooks as Literature
|
Course code
COMM1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Drawing for Art and Design
|
Course code
GRAP1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Artistic Work: Industries and the Creative Life
|
Course code
CREA2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Superheroes: Cinema and Comics
|
Course code
MDIA2020
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Creative Arts Professional Experience
|
Course code
CREA3901
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Festivals
|
Course code
FESTBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Performing Arts
|
Course code
PERFBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Industries
|
Course code
CREIBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Media and Web Design
|
Course code
DIGMBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Games Design and Production
|
Course code
GAMEBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Immersive Media
|
Course code
IMEDBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Production
|
Course code
SCRPBCRAR
|
Units
48
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
- 6 units for all Year 2 selectives, and
- 6 units for all Year 3 selectives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Illustration and Animation
|
Course code
GRAP1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cinematic Design
|
Course code
MDIA1010
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Life Drawing
|
Course code
GRAP2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Drawing and Printmaking in Theory and Practice
|
Course code
VISU2003
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Your ability to create compelling stories and visuals will set you apart in a range of creative fields. The industry offers opportunities in publishing houses, animation studios, advertising agencies and freelance projects.
You could create a world-famous graphic novel series like The Walking Dead, Y: The Last Man, Saga or The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. You might be a comic book editor, collaborating in a team to bring original concepts to life. Perhaps you’ll work with Adelaide’s Papercuts Comics Festival, showcasing and connecting comics professionals from across Australia.
You could also be a:
- Storyboard artist
- Editorial assistant
- Character designer
- Script assistant
- Concept artist
- Letterer
- Content coordinator
- Digital artist.
Industry trends
The global comic book market has grown dramatically, thanks in part to the success of comic book adaptations in cinema, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By 2032, it is projected to be worth USD$26.75 billion (Fortune Business Insights, 2024).
The appeal of comic books seems to be global, with significant markets in Japan (manga), South Korea (manhwa) and France (bandes dessinées). These comics are not only popular in their countries of origin but also internationally. Increasingly, there are opportunities for writers and artists who can connect with broader and more diverse audiences.
The rise of digital technology has been extremely influential, making comic books more accessible and reducing publishing costs for new creators. This trend has democratised the industry – so your chances at getting yourself out there are better than ever.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
