Art theory
Dive into new concepts and ideas
When you study art theory at UNSW, you’ll explore the histories and theories that inform contemporary art and culture. Immersed in the creatively and intellectually stimulating context of Australia’s largest community of art and design practitioners, curators, students, educators and researchers, you’ll prepare yourself with the core knowledge and skills for a career in the arts and cultural sectors.
Learn with world-renowned artists and theorists
As an art theory student, you’ll be guided by our dedicated team of Australian and internationally recognised art theorists, curators and artists, helping you to examine the intersections between art and a range of historical, cultural, social and institutional contexts.
Transferrable skills for diverse creative careers
With complementary studies in studio art practice, visual arts, opportunities for elective study and opportunities to learn in professional contexts, you’ll graduate with the confidence and breadth of experience for a successful career in the contemporary art world and related creative industries throughout Australia and internationally.
Our graduates move into diverse careers including:
arts and cultural management, policy making and administration
art and design criticism, arts writing, communications and journalism
galleries, libraries, archives, museums
creative direction, planning and production
curatorship, festival, event and museum management
cultural and creative research and scholarship
media industries, publishing and distribution
public programming and engagement
entrepreneurship, strategy, creative consultancy and start-ups.
Study with us
If you’re interested in studying art theory, your options at UNSW are flexible. You can study full-time or part-time. You can choose the art theory major within our Bachelor of Fine Arts and deepen your expertise through honours. You might also choose art theory and history as a minor within another undergraduate program.
If you’re interested in postgraduate study, our Master of Fine Arts will allow you to explore the ideas and concepts you’re interested in through a major research project and dissertation.
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Study
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We offer the below undergraduate courses with a specialisation in Art Theory:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce/Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Computer Science/Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Engineering (Honours)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Law
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Media
- Bachelor of Science/Fine Arts
In addition to the above courses, we offer the below undergraduate single degrees with a minor in Art History and Theory:
The minor is also available in the Bachelor of Arts double degrees.
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Honours is an extra year of study that offers you a chance to develop your research and professional skills guided by staff who are passionate about research and the development of new researchers.
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You can develop further expertise in visual arts through the following postgraduate programs
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Through a Master of Fine Arts, you’ll undertake supervised research and investigation into an approved area of fine arts, media arts, design, or curatorial practice through a substantial body of creative practice and a 15,000 – 20,000 word dissertation. Find out more.
Postgraduate research through a PhD or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) will deepen your expertise and help you develop a broad intellectual sophistication, research, and professional skills that are prized by employers. You’ll have access to first-rate facilities and world-class supervisors at the forefront of their fields in fine arts. Find out more.