Master of Arts,MC-ARTS

Overview

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:

• Creative Writing
• Digital Communications
• Fine Art
• Professional Writing and Publishing
• Screen Arts

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

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 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
• gain the technology and decision-making skills necessary to obtain, assess and represent relevant information from a range of sources to develop a professional or creative work; 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. 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 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 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

Entry 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.

Have your supporting documents to hand, and ensure they meet our guidelines. The documents may include certified copies of your qualifications, English language proficiency documents and supplementary forms for certain courses.

If your documents are not issued in English, an official translation from a recognised translation service must be provided.

Recognised translation services

• National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited translator in Australia
• The Awarding institution
• A Notary Public Office
• The official Government body
• An official and accredited translator*

*Official translations are subject to review.

If you have undertaken previous study or work that matches the content of some of your Curtin course units, you may be able to obtain credit for recognised learning, which exempts you from studying those units.

You can apply direct online through our Applicant Portal. You can access the Applicant Portal by:

1. Navigating to the relevant course page
2. Click ‘Apply now’
3. When the pop-up window appears, select “Apply directly to Curtin University”.

If you want to package your course with a Curtin English course, you can submit your application with your course application documents to streamline the process.

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer that you will need to accept or reject.

If you accept your offer, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment ­– a document from Curtin that details your course, how long you will be studying the course, and the tuition fees. This document can be used for acquiring a student visa.

Apply to the Australian government for your student visa. Gaining a student visa will allow you to participate in full-time study in Australia and work up to 40 hours in a fortnight. If you’re under 18 years of age, you must have approved accommodation and welfare arrangements in place before a visa can be issued.

See our pre-departure resources for helpful information regarding your move to Perth.