Bachelor of Media Arts

The Bachelor of Media Arts is three years full-time and consists of 24 courses. You’ll explore a variety of creative approaches and incrementally develop your creative skills and knowledge in media arts through: 

• 4 Core studio courses
• 6 Disciplinary studio courses
• 1 Professional Practice course
• 5 Theory courses (can include a Professional Experience Project)
• 6 Free electives
• 2 General education courses

Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period.

Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.

Throughout the Bachelor of Media Arts, you’ll utilise world-class facilities, workshops and equipment to make and exhibit your media artworks. The degree includes the following types of courses:

Core studio
In first year, the two core studios establish foundational skills that you’ll build on and apply throughout your degree. In third year, core studios allow you to undertake a substantial self-directed creative work.

Disciplinary studio
In first year, choose from a range of introductory courses to expand your skills and knowledge. In second year, select at least two areas in which to deepen your practice.

The degree features five disciplinary areas, from which you'll choose at least two.

• Animation 
  In the animation studio, you'll develop skills and knowledge in contemporary animation practice. By exploring a range of traditional and 3D animation processes, techniques, and concepts, you'll acquire skills and understandings applicable in a wide variety of media arts practices.
• Visual Effects
  In the visual effects studio, you'll explore the contemporary potentials of compositing. Combine live action and CG elements to create engaging composites and sequences, exploring new possibilities for media arts practice in a critically-engaged studio context.
• Sound
  In the sound studio, you'll create media artworks utilising sound-based techniques and processes. Working in studio and acoustic environments, you'll develop skills and knowledge to help you create sound-based media art projects for the gallery, as well as virtual and public spaces.
• Moving Image
  In the moving image studio, you'll explore contemporary approaches to video art, short film, audio-visual composition and installation. You'll develop understandings and skills in various creative contexts for moving image practice including gallery, screen, virtual and public spaces.
• 3D Visualisation
  In the 3D visualisation studio, you'll delve into the computer-generated world and explore various methods used to generate virtual environments. Through live, hands-on experiences, you'll use key technologies such as virtual reality systems to develop a suite of design practices and skills that will enable you to contribute to a growing digital industry.

History and theory
Throughout the degree, you'll critically engage with the histories and theories informing media arts practice. You'll develop analytical, communication and research skills that will help you understand and challenge the ideas shaping the future of media, art and culture.

Professional practice and experience
We offer one of the country’s longest running professional experience programs for university students. You'll gain real-world creative media experience through professional placements with our extensive network of industry partners.

Free electives and general education
Add to your repertoire of skills and knowledge through elective courses in a wide range of areas in art, design, media, and theory, as well as courses from across the university. General education courses enable you to broaden your educational experience. You can choose from any general education course from across the university in areas that align to your interests.

Below is an example of what you could study in a standard three-year, full-time study plan:

First year

• 2 Core studio courses
• 2 Disciplinary studio courses
• 2 Theory courses
• 2 Free electives

Second year

• 4 Disciplinary studio courses
• 1 Theory course
• 2 Free electives
• 1 General education course

Third year

• 2 Core studio courses
• 1 Professional Practice course
• 1 Theory course
• 1 Theory course or a Professional Experience Project
• 2 Free electives
• 1 General education course

Honours
Media Arts (Honours) is a one-year program intended for high achieving students who have completed an undergraduate degree in media arts (or similar area), either from UNSW Sydney or another university. The degree allows you to extend your media arts practice by developing a significant practice-led research project in a rigorous and supportive community of practice.