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Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.
Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.
International student means; you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Certificate III in Visual Arts

Code: CUA31120

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

If you are a local student you may be eligible.

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Overview

Campus
Duration

1 year full time / 2 years part time

Next Intake

May, July

Create a future in visual arts

The Certificate III in Visual Arts CUA31120 course is designed to introduce students to a range of art forms and develop skills and confidence in using a range of techniques. The course has a practical hands-on focus where students are provided with highly structured tasks and in-depth instruction by specialist subject teachers. Australia’s arts sector is worth almost $400 million annually and Melbourne has a thriving visual arts scene, with over 100 art galleries in the metropolitan area alone.

An artistic qualification that prepares you for industry

Our Certificate III in Visual Arts CUA31120 is an introductory program that will help you to develop foundation skills and knowledge relevant to visual arts practice. You’ll learn skills and techniques in drawing, printmaking, painting, design, digital imaging, art history and critical thinking. The broad range of media and processes will help you find your artistic strengths.

Our Visual Arts program offers fully-equipped specialist studios, computer labs and dedicated classrooms for each artistic technique. You’ll be taught by experienced, working visual artists with specialist knowledge. As part of your course, you will be involved in excursions, industry forums and workshops with professionals from across the arts industry.

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate III in Visual Arts CUA31120 take me?

Upon graduation, you’ll have a folio of work for self-promotion or further study. Melbourne Polytechnic students may integrate into the Certificate IV in Visual Arts CUA41320, or move in to entry level positions in the visual arts industries.

Study Pathways

Once you successfully complete the course you will be able to articulate into our Certificate IV in Visual Arts CUA41320.

Since graduating from Melbourne Polytechnic, the support I have received from my peers and especially from GLAAS Inc. has been incredible.
Shea Oberleuter
Certificate IV in Glass and Glazing MSF40422 Graduate
A woman in an apron poses in front of a vibrant glass pieces within a studio.

Course Details

Delivery methods

  • Studio Practice

How you will study

Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.

On-campus

Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.

Assessment Methods

You will build a folio of work based on projects and class exercises and be assessed on completed projects and final folio submissions

Units of Study

The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.

Code Subject Elective Hours
BSBWHS211 Contribute to the health and safety of self and others Core 20
CUAACD201 Develop drawing skills to communicate ideas Elective 60
CUAACD311 Produce drawings to communicate ideas Core 90
CUADES201 Follow a design process Elective 50
CUADES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms Elective 60
CUADIG315 Produce digital images Elective 50
CUAIND211 Develop and apply creative arts industry knowledge Elective 20
CUAPAI311 Produce paintings Elective 50
CUAPPR311 Produce creative work Core 45
CUAPRI211 Develop printmaking skills Elective 50
CUARES301 Apply knowledge of history and theory to own arts practice Core 50

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees
Concession Government subsidised fee Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee $600 $3000 $8350
Maximum annual amenities $175 $250 $250
Total payable $775 $3250 $8600
Per year $0
Per semester $0

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.

Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.

After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.

For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.

Materials

Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.

Fees explained

The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment. 

Check your eligibility here.

The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.

Check your eligibility here.

Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:

  • Commonwealth Health Care card, or
  • Pensioner Concession card, or
  • Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
  • Veterans Gold card.

The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking

Additional expenses

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:

  • $250 for full fee-paying students; and
  • $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.

Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.

Students are required to purchase a basic art materials kit as part of their studies. The kits are available for order through a supplier at a discounted rate. The costs are approximately $200-$500 depending on the course area – please see order form from the Visual Arts department for details.
Students are required to purchase a basic art materials kit as part of their studies. The kits are available for order via an elected supplier who packs them at discounted rate. The costs are approximately $200-$500 depending on the course area – please see order form for details.

Book an interview

This course requires an interview for entry. Please make a booking for your interview time by clicking book an interview

Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, though you will be asked to attend an interview with the Visual Arts department. Attend an interview. Interviews for Visual Arts courses run throughout the year.

Next Steps

We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.

The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.

You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.

You will be asked to attend an interview and folio presentation to ensure that this is the right course for you.

It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.

Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend our Skills and Job Centre, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.

For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payments Plans here.

If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.

A teacher wearing a Melbourne Polytechnic lanyard, teaching students outdoors. An overlay text reads "Victorian Training Awards - Winner, Large Training Provider of the Year 2024"

We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year

Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.

Recognising Organisations

Nationally Recognised Training

Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

You are currently looking at information for local students

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.