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Overview

The Bachelor of Design Arts with a major in Visual Art is for the creative who refuses to be defined by a single medium. Rooted in the traditions of fine art and expanded through digital media, moving image, and photographic practice, this major gives you the tools, space, and mentorship to develop a confident, original creative voice — and the professional skills to sustain it.

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Duration

2 years (6 trimesters, 1152 hours)

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Schedule

Full-Time *

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Language of Instruction

English

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Mode of Delivery

On-campus

Next session starts June 1, 2026

Admission criteriaTuition and financial aid

About the Course

Visual Art at LCI Melbourne is built around the Design Laboratory — a studio-based learning environment where you apply research, technical skill, and creative thinking to develop original work within your chosen specialisation. Every trimester begins with a combined theoretical lecture shared across all four disciplines, before moving into discipline-specific studio practice where academic mentors guide you through lectures, tutorials, technical demonstrations, and self-directed studio time.

Across six trimesters — Exploration, Foundation, Issues, Global, Industry, and Capstone — you'll progress from discovering your creative identity to producing a sophisticated, exhibition-ready body of work that reflects your artistic ethos. Along the way, you'll respond to real industry briefs, collaborate on global projects with LCI campuses internationally, and complete a professional placement that puts you inside a real creative organisation.

The Visual Art major lets you work across painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, digital media, and photography, giving you both the breadth to experiment and the depth to specialise. Purpose-built facilities — including individual artist studios, printmaking rooms, aerosol and spray workshops, and a public gallery for student exhibitions — support your practice at every stage. A dedicated photography studio with cyclorama, lighting equipment, and audiovisual production tools means lens-based work is fully integrated into your studies.

Graduate not just as an artist, but as a working creative professional — with a portfolio, a network, and the business and communication skills to back it up.

Start date	Schedule	Location
Jun 1, 2026	Full-time - Daytime	On campus, Collingwood	Apply now
Sep 14, 2026	Full-time - Daytime	On campus, Collingwood	Apply now
Feb 8, 2027	Full-time - Daytime	On campus, Collingwood	Apply now
May 31, 2027	Full-time - Daytime	On campus, Collingwood	Apply now

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Local applicants
- Satisfactory completion of Australian Year 12, or one of the equivalent qualifications as defined under minimum academic entry requirements.
- An Admission Consultation
ATAR scores are not used in the consideration of your application. Unscored VCE (or equivalent) is accepted for entry.

Students must be 18+ years of age at commencement of course.

Find out more about new exemptions for Year 12 applicants via VTAC
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International applicants
- Satisfactory completion of Australian Year 12, or one of the equivalent qualifications as defined under minimum academic entry requirements;
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS overall score of 6.0, with no skills band lower than 5.5 or equivalent like TOEFL, Pearson Test of English or CAE);
- An Admission Consultation.
- A current Student visa to study in Australia. Australian visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs;
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Students must be 18+ years of age at commencement of course.

List of Units

Design Laboratories (Major in Fashion & Costume Design)

The core of the degree — studio-based labs progressing through Exploration, Foundation, Issues, Global, Industry, and Capstone themes, culminating in a capstone exhibition of advanced work.

Design Laboratory: Exploration (LABF101)
Design Laboratory: Foundation (LABF102)
Design Laboratory: Issues (LABF103)
Design Sub Major or Entrepreneurship Fundamentals (ENT01)
Design Laboratory: Global (LABF204)
Design Laboratory: Industry (LABF205)
Design Laboratory: Capstone (LABF206)

Exploration Units

Foundation workshop-based study expanding core design and art knowledge across all disciplines.

Future Forward Design (ACC111)
Elective: Brand Strategy (ELE001)
Elective: Design & Wellbeing (ELE002)
Elective: Project Management (BUS08)
Elective: Design Thinking for Business (BUS01)

Contextual Units

Exploring the historical, cultural, and contemporary forces shaping design, communication, and digital practice.

Design, History & Culture (AXC111)
Social Trend Forecasting (AXC121)
Global Design Culture (AXE241)

Professional Practice

Units Real insight from practising creatives, combined with business and communication skills for a sustainable career.

Design Fundamentals (COM111)
Digital Communication (COM222)
Business Principles (ACC241)
Professional Practice & Systems (BPC351)
Professional Placement (APE241)
Professional Communication (BCC351)
Personal & Professional Practice (BPC361)

Tuition & Aid

LCI Melbourne is an Australian–Government accredited Institute Of Higher Education providing Australian Domestic students with access to FEE-HELP.

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students to pay tuition fees.

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Inspiring stories

Empower your ambition with our students' success stories. Unlock a career that lives up to your aspirations.

Our learners and graduates have successful journeys! Get inspired and learn how their academic paths have enabled them to thrive in their dream fields.