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Study Arts at Curtin
MC-ARTS

Master of Arts

Master by coursework

Extend your skills and critical capacity in your chosen discipline area or add a new area of expertise to your repertoire.

See full course structure
  • Qualification
    Master of Arts
  • Duration
    2 years full-time
  • Credit
    400
  • CRICOS
    098146E
  • Location
    Curtin Perth
See full course structure

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

Intake Application open Application close

Semester 1, 2023

15 August 2022

Applications now closed!

Semester 2, 2023

Applications now open!

14 July 2023

Semester 1, 2024

Applications now open!

8 February 2024

Semester 2, 2024

8 April 2024

4 July 2024

See full course structure

Why study Master of Arts at Curtin?

Top 1 %

Curtin is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

Get the Curtin edge

Access to leadership programs, specialist facilities and industry placements give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Outline

Outline

The Master of Arts is ideal if you want to extend your skills and critical capacity in one of its discipline areas, add a new area of expertise to your repertoire, or if you are new to the arts and are looking for a career change.

The course is hands-on with a strong practical, industry and arts community focus, preparing you for a career in creative and professional practice. You will be taught by industry and academic experts who will pass on their insights and experience, and connect you to relevant industries and creative communities.

As part of this course you will undertake a major supervised creative project, which can become an important piece in your professional portfolio.

You will apply your practical skills and develop your networks by undertaking a professional placement with an industry organisation. You will also have an opportunity to engage with award-winning artists, writers and researchers through our on-campus residency programs.

Throughout your studies, you will have access to a range of purpose-built student facilities and creative outlets, such as Curtin’s Media Production Studio, painting and sculpture studios, the Centre for Culture and Technology, Grok magazine and the John Curtin Gallery.

Choose your major

You will specialise in one of the following areas:

If you complete the master degree to a high standard, you may be eligible to proceed on to doctoral-level studies.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

How this course will make you industry ready

We provide on-campus industry and community-based initiatives to enhance your learning and skills development. You will undertake a major project under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. This project can become an important portfolio piece for many students.

You will practise your skills on placement with industry, arts and community organisations in Australia and overseas, developing your confidence and engagement with relevant networks. You will also have an opportunity to engage with award-winning artists, writers and researchers on staff and through our on-campus residency programs. 

What jobs can the Master of Arts lead to?

Career opportunities

  • Artist
  • Arts administrator
  • Audio, broadcasting or theatre technician
  • Cinematographer
  • Copywriter
  • Curator
  • Digital content producer
  • Film, theatre or television director
  • Media liaison officer
  • Multimedia developer
  • Producer
  • Production manager
  • Publisher
  • Sociologist
  • Technical artist
  • Visualisation specialist

Employment industries

  • Arts and creative industries
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Film and television
  • Government
  • Media and entertainment
  • Not-for-profit sector
  • 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
  • assess the application of existing technologies as well as the impact of emerging technologies on a selected communication or media discipline to create an effective professional or creative work; develop the technology skills necessary for obtaining, assessing and representing relevant information. Decide on appropriate applications and systems for professional and/or creative needs
  • understand and apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity and develop a commitment to professional research, publication or performance to 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 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

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.

For admission to this course, you must have either:

  • a bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised institution (you may require relevant work experience) OR
  • a bachelor degree with honours OR
  • a graduate certificate or diploma from a recognised institution 

AND meet Curtin’s English language proficiency requirements. 

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

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

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 charges

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

2023 Fee year:

$20,090*

Domestic

2024 Fee year:

$21,898*

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).

Important fee information

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2023

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2024

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. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now