Adelaide University
Master of Design Specialising in Fine Arts
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Push creative boundaries and contribute to Australia's cultural landscape through the fine arts.
Course overview
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 Adelaide University's 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.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 96 units comprising:
- 66 units for all core courses
- 12 units for all specialisation courses
- Six units for all work-integrated learning
- 12 units for electives
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.
Complete 66 units for all of the following:
- Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio (12 units)
- Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio (12 units)
- Art and Design Business Practices
- Art and Design Research Methods
- Art and Design Masters Project 1 (12 units)
- Arts and Design Masters Project 2 (12 units)
- Art and Design Masters Report
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
- A completed bachelor's (AQF level 7) or bachelor's honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
- A completed nested or related graduate certificate (AQF level 8) or higher or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
You might start your own business, creating bespoke pieces in your chosen art form 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:
- Photographer
- Art Consultant
- Designer
- Creative Director
- Community Arts Coordinator
- Artist
Fees and CSP
Estimated annual fee in 2026: From $9,537 up to $17,399 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 48 units (normally eight courses) per year.
Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate programs.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.