MC266 - Master of Fine Art

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Plan: MC266 - Master of Fine Art
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Articulation and pathways
Entrance requirements
External accreditation and industry links
Student expenses and charges in addition to fees
Library, IT and specialist resources

Program details

Award title: Master of Fine Art
Award abbreviation: MFA
Total credit points: 192
Career: PGRD
Duration: 2 years full-time, 3 years reduced study load, reduced duration available
Location: Onshore, AUSCY campus
Owning school: Art (340H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/art
ASCED code: 100301
CRICOS code: 092466D

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Purpose of the Program

The Master of Fine Art is a postgraduate professional practice degree offering study in areas such as sculpture, painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, sound, video, ceramics and gold and silversmithing. The program has a pluralistic and interdisciplinary focus and cross-disciplinary dialogue is encouraged to enrich your experience and knowledge.

The program offers you a rigorous, supportive and dynamic environment where an investigation of issues pertinent to contemporary art practice sit alongside and inform the production of art.  Central to the program is a balance between studio practice and the conceptual and theoretical concerns that underpin the making of art.

Through studio based learning and independent research you will develop the skills to locate your artwork within appropriate contemporary, conceptual and theoretical contexts.  You will engage with new developments in artistic production and their associated discourses while at the same time building a body of artwork that demonstrates a level of technical and conceptual excellence in contemporary art practice.

The program attracts candidates from diverse backgrounds, age groups and nationalities, including leading art practitioners, students graduating directly from undergraduate programs and artists returning to postgraduate study to enliven their practice. You will engage with your peers to develop extended dialogues and provide critical support for each other’s practice.

A capstone experience is provided through the course VART3619 Fine Art Studio 4 in which you will integrate and synthesise your knowledge, connect theory to practice and demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes. The capstone experience of the course is a major project that culminates in an exhibition of work for assessment, accompanied by a detailed proposal and visual documentation of the work undertaken during the program.

Successful completion of the program will give you a pathway to higher degree research and see you prepared to work in national and global contexts as a practising artist.

You will be required to attend on campus classes throughout the delivery of the program so that you can produce high quality artworks. On campus classes will also provide opportunities for you to critique your own work and the work of others in a group setting with your lecturers and fellow students.

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Articulation and pathways

If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program.

If you have gained one of the following qualifications in fine art you will be eligible for masters exemptions relevant to your qualification level as stated in the table below. Please note that credit granted towards masters exemptions cannot be transferred to an exit award such as a graduate certificate or graduate diploma.

If you have a qualification in another discipline, you may still be eligible for masters exemptions. 

Qualification_level Exemptions Remaining program duration
Bachelor degree 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Bachelor honours degree 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)     96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)
Graduate certificate  48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study)     144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Graduate diploma         

96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

*Duration indicated is the normal study duration; for some programs spring and summer semesters may be offered, reducing the study duration.

Upon successful completion of this program you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including DR208 - PhD (Art) subject to the program's entrance requirements.

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Entrance requirements

You must have:

  • successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) or
  • at least 5 years of relevant work experience, studio practice or professional practice.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

English language requirement

A minimum of IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent.

For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English requirements web page.

Selection tasks 

You must complete and submit a selection task and may be required to attend an interview.

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External accreditation and industry links

There are no professional bodies that accredit programs in fine art in Australia.

The School of Art has many close links with creative industries which take a variety of forms. Academics in the School are practising professional artists, writers, historians and curators maintaining strong linkages within national and global Fine Art practice and the community. External industry experts and speakers are regularly invited to speak to staff and students through a number of forums.

Master of Fine Art candidates have successfully undertaken international residencies in Krems Austria, worked on projects in China, Japan and the USA. They are regularly curated into high profile exhibitions.

The program is regularly monitored through the School of Art Industry Advisory Committee, which consists of external Arts and Photography Industry professionals, advising the School in facilitating a program that is relevant to the field of Art, both nationally and internationally.

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Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees.  Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

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Library, IT and specialist resources

Library resources and services

RMIT Library provides extensive resources, services and study spaces. All RMIT students have access to scholarly resources including course related material, books, e-books, journals and databases.    
 
Computers and printers are available at every Library. You can access the Internet and Library e-resources. You can also access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library.  

Contact Ask the Library for information on Library resources and services: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library.  Study support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, information literacy, referencing, maths and study skills. 

Online learning tools and content

You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses at myRMIT www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit

Other resources

As an enrolled School of Art student with an active NDS account you can access computer laboratories throughout the University. For location details go to  http://www.rmit.edu.au/its/studentlabs. There are also computers for you as a School of Art postgraduate student located in Building 49 level C and Building 39 level 2.

Technical Assistance
The technical officer Mr Alan Roberts is available to you for technical assistance.
Office Location: Building 49 Level C
Phone 0409 772 744
Email alan.roberts@rmit.edu.au

Production Facilities and Equipment

As an enrolled student you wiil be given an individual studio space for two years.  You wll also have access to a range of facilities across the school to support your area of practice from light fabrication workshops, AV studios, computer labs, AV recording equipment, ceramics and gold and silver-smithing studios, large format photo printing facilities, and printmaking studios. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. The University Library has extensive resources for Art students and has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies [http://rmit.libguides.com/sb.php?subject_id=67925]. Upon your enrolment you will also be provided with an extensive MFA searchable reading list.

You can loan equipment from:
DSC Audio Visual Tech Services
Office Location: Building 8 level 7 room 91
phone: 9925 3419
email: DSC-AV@rmit.edu.au

Services available to you as a student at RMIT University
RMIT University provides resources and opportunities to help you to  achieve your study and career goals. Services are available face to face and online for:

  • transition to tertiary study and learning
  • study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
  • enabling assistance - if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
  • career development and employment
  • living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
  • opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
  • participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance

We offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.  The Ngarara Willim Centre offers ongoing guidance with study, living and cultural needs.

You can find more information at http://www.rmit.edu.au/students

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