Nathan smiling sitting cross-legged with notebook and pen

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Lismore, Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    DipArts

  • Course code

    2125310

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, June

  • Duration

    1 year full-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Lismore

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

Ready to kickstart a career in the creative industries? The Diploma of Arts empowers you to pursue your passion while equipping you with the skills for success at University. You will choose a specialisation in Arts, Digital Media, Art and Design or Contemporary Music.  

The Diploma of Arts is a pathway course into a range of Bachelor degrees in humanities, digital media, visual art and contemporary music, providing up to eight (8) units of credit towards these courses.

This course is offered through SCU College, where we understand that students have diverse experiences and ways of learning. The College supports your study success and connects you to your peers through additional workshops to develop academic and study skills. 

Kaliya Alldridge Contemporary Music student and Rolling Stone Scholarship recipient

“I felt super connected and grateful for the gift of being a creative person. You just feel like you’re exactly where you need to be.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions within defined settings for one of the following areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

GA2: Creativity

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the field of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined contexts for one of the following areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the field of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions within defined settings for one of the following areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work within defined settings for one of the following areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined settings for one of the following areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined contexts for one of the following areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music, or humanities.

Students choose one of the following specialisations:

  • Arts
  • Digital Media
  • Art and Design
  • Contemporary Music.

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3$32,520 ($4,065 per unit)115097H
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3$32,520 ($4,065 per unit)115097H

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

Graduates will be eligible for paraprofessional roles in the related areas of digital media, art and design, contemporary music or humanities.  

The Diploma of Arts is also a pathway course into the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Digital Media, Bachelor of Art and Design or Bachelor of Contemporary Music.  

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall5.5
Writingminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.0
Speakingminimum 5.0
Listeningminimum 5.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Arts, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • 1 specialisation in Arts or Digital Media or Art and Design or Contemporary Music

Other things to consider

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more

There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.

Learn more

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Students must enrol in the core College unit EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in your Discipline, in their first term of study.
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
CLST1003Doing Cultural Studies
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
CLST2002Australia, Asia and the World
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
POLT1002World Politics and Global Environmental Challenges
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
CLST1004Critical Thinking for Digital Times
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Select one (1) unit from the following:
Option units
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
CLST2003Australian Cultural History
WRIT1001Introduction to Written Texts
SOCI1003Deviance in Society
MDIA1003Digital Media Practices

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Students must enrol in the core College unit EDUC1001 - Language and Learning in your Discipline, in their first term of study.
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MDIA1001Media Studies
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
MDIA1002Visual Communication and Design
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
MDIA1004Journalism in the Digital Age
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MDIA1003Digital Media Practices
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
ARTD1004Photography and Digital Imaging
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

ARTD1008Digital Fabrication
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term1
Term1
ARTD1001Drawing
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term1
Term1
ARTD1002Painting Essentials
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2
Term2
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
MelbourneN/A
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2
PerthN/A
Term2,4
SydneyN/A
Term2,4
ARTD1005Printmaking Fundamentals
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term3
Term3
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
ARTD1006Sculpture and Spatial Practice
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term4
Term4
ARTD1004Photography and Digital Imaging
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Specialisations
Students should select one (1) specialisation from the following:

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Core units

EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
CLST1003Doing Cultural Studies
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
CLST2002Australia, Asia and the World
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
POLT1002World Politics and Global Environmental Challenges
CLST1004Critical Thinking for Digital Times

Option units

Select one (1) unit from the following :
CLST2003Australian Cultural History
WRIT1001Introduction to Written Texts
SOCI1003Deviance in Society
MDIA1003Digital Media Practices

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
MDIA1001Media Studies
MDIA1002Visual Communication and Design
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
MDIA1004Journalism in the Digital Age
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
ARTD1004Photography and Digital Imaging
MDIA1003Digital Media Practices

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
ARTD1001Drawing
ARTD1008Digital Fabrication
ARTD1002Painting Essentials
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
ARTD1005Printmaking Fundamentals
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
ARTD1006Sculpture and Spatial Practice
ARTD1004Photography and Digital Imaging

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
MUSC1012Music Craft I
MUSC1001Creative Music Practice I
MUSC1013Music Craft II
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
MUSC1014Music Craft III
MUSC1002Creative Music Practice II
MUSC1015Music Craft IV
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

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  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Early offer

If you're a current year 12 student you can register for our Early Offer program. You may be eligible to receive an early offer based on your School Principal's recommendation.

Apply now for your early offer

Choose where you want to study

Gold Coast

Lismore

Online

Choose where you want to study

International students studying in Australia

Gold Coast

Lismore

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway