Push creative boundaries and contribute to our cultural landscape through the fine arts. Working in the fine arts requires adaptability, creativity and empathy – qualities that artificial intelligence can't easily replicate. With these skills, artists can provoke emotional responses and become drivers of social change and deeper cultural understanding. Our Master of Design specialising in Fine Arts, will equip you with a palette of professional practice skills. You’ll study in our world-class facilities, collaborating with other creatives and enhancing your technical expertise in your chosen studio areas. Get ready to bring your artistic visions to life at Adelaide University.
This degree gives you the platform to refine your artistic talents, develop business know-how and advance your research skills. Prepare to take creative risks and embrace new ways of thinking in your work.
From photography to ceramics and glassblowing, you’ll experiment and bring your ideas to life in our modern studios and workshops. This practical learning provides opportunities for collaboration and real-time feedback, along with access to the latest creative tools and technologies. Some courses are available online, giving you the flexibility to fit study around your schedule.
You’ll develop key professional practice skills in producing project proposals, collaborating with others, and pitching ideas to clients.
A key focus of the degree is how you can translate your creative aspirations into sustainable practices. You’ll explore sustainability, ethics and legal considerations in art and design – setting your creative endeavours up for the best start.
Explore the studio areas and art forms you’re most interested in. Join masterclasses led by visiting artists. Have opportunities to exhibit your work or undertake an industry-based residency. Choose electives aligned to your passions and career goals. Study in world-class studios and workshops. Gain business management skills relevant to the art industry.Turn your artistic passions into a career when you study our Master of Design specialising in Fine Arts.
In your first year of study, you’ll complete the following courses with a focus on the fine arts:
You’ll approach these courses through the lens of your chosen studio areas and art forms. You’ll also take one of your great ideas and turn it into a formal research proposal.
In second year, you’ll build on your research project, writing a thesis-style report and using a range of research methodologies.
You’ll also gain hands-on experience through industry-based residencies and exhibition opportunities. These practical opportunities provide you with valuable connections to industry and the community.
Gain a deep understanding of the significance of art in contemporary society and its future possibilities by taking electives in other disciplines – you can choose two electives to customise your degree to your career aspirations.
There’s also the option to complete one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) and complete a graduate diploma.
The Master of Design is also available with specialisations in the following:
This degree is part of a stackable set of qualifications, meaning your study choices are flexible. If your goals shift, you can exit after six months of study with a standalone Graduate Certificate or after one year with a Graduate Diploma qualification.
You can also begin your studies with a shorter qualification like the six-month Graduate Certificate and continue on to complete the Graduate Diploma (one year) or full master’s degree.
Complete 96 units comprising:
Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
You’ll graduate from our Master of Design specialising in Fine Arts, ready to thrive in the creative industries.
You might start your own business, creating bespoke pieces in your chosen artform for hotels and other businesses. As a tattooist, you could use your skills to bring people’s vision to life in the form of body art. Perhaps you’ll work as a gallery manager, coordinating artists and artwork sales to ensure the gallery attracts visitors and buyers.
Graduates of this degree can work in art and design studios, galleries, museums, education, corporate environments, and not-for-profit sectors.
You could also be a:
Careers in the fine arts are broad and diverse, with employment opportunities varying depending on your chosen art forms and technical skills. Employment projections in Australia for arts professionals, including visual arts and crafts professionals, expect to see a 7.7% increase by 2029 (Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Projections, 2024).
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:
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.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
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.
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:
