Arts and creative industries student
GD-ARTS

Arts

Graduate diploma

Gain the knowledge and practical skills to prepare for a career, or for further study, in your chosen arts field.

Course outline
  • Qualification
    Graduate Diploma in Arts
  • Duration

    Duration

    1 year full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    200
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    117065M
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

Intake Application open Application close

Semester 1, 2025

Applications now open!

12 February 2025

Semester 2, 2025

7 April 2025

3 July 2025

Semester 1, 2026

11 August 2025

5 February 2026

Semester 2, 2026

6 April 2026

2 July 2026

Course outline

Overview

Overview

This course has a strong practical engagement focus, and is taught by industry and academic experts who will help you connect with creative and intellectual communities and industries.

You will specialise in one of the following areas of expertise, as your major:

You’ll also learn about different research methods used in your major and how to develop a project proposal.

This graduate diploma is part of a tiered postgraduate program, which means that you can choose to exit the program at the graduate certificate level (after completing the units required for that qualification). After completing this course, you can apply to study for your Master of Arts.

Careers

  • Artist
  • Copywriter
  • Arts administrator
  • Audio, broadcasting or theatre technician
  • Film, theatre or television director
  • Cinematographer
  • Digital content creator
  • Media liaison officer
  • Multimedia developer
  • Media production assistant
  • Publisher assistant
  • Visualisation specialist
  • Technical artist
  • Curator

Industries

  • Arts and creative industries
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Film and television
  • Government and non-profit sectors
  • Media and entertainment
  • Publishing

What you'll learn

  • understand the discipline of a selected field in the Arts, its theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional or creative approaches; understand and apply established knowledge, principles, and professional or creative practices in chosen aspects of the Arts
  • apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of a subject or project and engage critically with the subject matter to respond creatively within a selected communication paradigm
  • determine what information is needed and where it might be found using appropriate technologies; make valid judgements and synthesise information from a range of sources and apply best practice in developing a professional or creative work in response to a particular situation; communicate appropriately with colleagues, professional and creative contacts and the general public and develop communication skills across one or more media forms appropriate to varying situations
  • understand and apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity and engage with emerging forms of theory and practice in the Arts. Think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives and apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to one’s professional or creative practice
  • acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national, and global perspectives and the impact of these on the Arts: recognise individual human rights, and appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when engaging with and representing issues pertaining to ethnic and community groups
  • demonstrate professional behaviour and standards and work collaboratively to apply them in all aspects of creative practice and production-related activities

Why study Arts at Curtin?

Research impact

Our research groups include the Centre for Culture and Technology, the TikTok Cultures Research Network and the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.

Top academic ranking

Curtin is the top-ranked university for Communication and Media Studies in Western Australia (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).

Advanced facilities

Our professional facilities include fine art, digital media and screen production studios.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Applicants require a 3 or 4 year bachelor degree in any field from a recognised tertiary education institution OR successful completion of 2 or more units in the Graduate Certificate in Arts. Students who have completed more than 50 credits of undergraduate units from a discipline area cannot choose a major in that same discipline area for this Graduate Diploma.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

2025 Fee year:

$23,868*

Domestic

Domestic

Fees are indicative only.

* Based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now
  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: GD-ARTS
  • CRICOS code: 117065M
  • Last updated on: 30 December 2024

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