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Mission Statement
At UNSW School of Art & Design in Sydney we advance knowledge and practice through creativity, critical thinking, and care. Grounded in a rich history of both experimental and traditional disciplines, we create an environment where artists and designers are empowered to shape the future and make a positive impact both locally and globally.
Our Values:
• We champion bold ideas
• We create impactful research
• We nurture skilled making
• We believe in community
• We value diverse perspectives
• We amplify First Nations voices
• We encourage lifelong learning
International Role
UNSW proudly holds membership in six prestigious networks: Universitas 21, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Global Alliance of Technological Universities, PluS Alliance, Group of Eight, and the International Universities Climate Alliance. Through these affiliations, UNSW expands its expertise and helps to solve the world’s biggest issues.
We are dedicated to driving innovation where it is most impactful. Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, we partner with organisations, universities, and groups across the world, connecting them with our vibrant community of academics, students, and entrepreneurs. Together, we're maximizing the reach and effectiveness of our research and development efforts on a global scale.
An example is UNSW’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Institute for Global Development is achieving real change by supporting the work of UNSW researchers on international projects across disciplines.
National Role
The School of Art & Design has a strong record of producing graduates who make sustained and high‑impact contributions to the cultural and creative industries in Australia and internationally. Our alumni include leading contemporary artists, internationally recognised designers, and senior figures within influential creative enterprises and cultural institutions. Collectively, they demonstrate the School’s capacity to translate research‑led practice into significant cultural, social, and economic outcomes.
The School hosts a suite of established and internationally engaged collaborative research centres, labs, and groups that operate at the intersection of art, design, technology, and social enquiry. These research environments support innovative, practice‑based and transdisciplinary research, and facilitate active participation in national and international research initiatives, partnerships, and networks.
The 3DXLab is a multidisciplinary research platform that advances design‑centred visualisation research through the application of immersive and extended‑reality technologies. The Big Anxiety Research Centre is a globally distinctive transdisciplinary initiative that brings together researchers, clinicians, artists, and communities to generate new knowledge and methodologies in mental health through creative collaboration and cultural innovation. The Creative Robotics Lab undertakes research into assisted and emerging technologies, focusing on human–technology relationships, culture, and future‑oriented societal impacts.Together, these centres foster an experimental and collaborative research culture that supports interaction across physical, digital, and hybrid environments.
Design ForCE complements this ecosystem through research into circular design methodologies, investigating how objects, systems, and practices can be designed to operate within the biological and technical cycles of the Circular Economy. While our Drawing Group advocates for the communication of ideas through research theories, practices, methods, and processes across many disciplines – visual thinking through drawing as an essential cognitive skill for the future. Collectively, the School’s research activities demonstrate a coherent and scalable approach to addressing contemporary challenges through design‑led research with measurable social, cultural, and environmental impact.
Main Focus
We offer Undergraduate and Honours degrees in Visual Arts, Design, Animation & Moving Image, and Art Theory; and postgraduate and research degrees in Fine Arts, Design, Curating & Cultural Leadership, Animation & Visual Effects, and Simulation & Immersive Technologies. We offer three Higher Degree Resarch programs: Master of Fine Arts (Research), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) provides opportunities for students to undertake learning experiences in professional settings. Every student is offered the opportunity to participate as part of their program of study.WIL provides an invaluable opportunity for students at advanced stages of their study to continue to build professional skills and apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges. Completing practical work experience under the guidance of practicing professionals assist students in making informed choices about future career pathways. This program is mutually beneficial for host organisations, ranging from independent practitioners, sole traders and small startups to large organisations. WIL Hosts gain fresh perspectives and innovative solutions from emerging talent, as well as a competitive advantage for recruiting the best graduate talent.
Faculties and Departments
UNSW Sydney is a world‑leading teaching and research university, recognised by employers and organisations globally. Consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide, UNSW is placed in the top 20 internationally and second in Australia in the prestigious QS World University Rankings. Our faculties and schools are distinguished by their multidisciplinary approach to learning and research, underpinned by a strong commitment to excellence, relevance, and impact. UNSW leads in lifesaving medical discoveries, trailblazing entrepreneurship, and research initiatives that address some of the world’s most pressing social challenges.
UNSW comprises seven faculties: Arts, Design & Architecture; Business; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra. Through innovative teaching and ground‑breaking research, our faculties advance knowledge across disciplines and contribute to the creation of a more just and equitable society. The School of Art & Design, within the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture, traces its origins to the founding of the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts in 1833, while UNSW itself was established in 1949.
UNSW is located on unceded land and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which its campuses are situated. Guided by the motto Scientia Corde Manu et Mente—Knowledge by Heart, Hand and Mind—UNSW embraces diversity of thought, integrity, innovation, and deep engagement with its communities.
UNSW is ranked 20th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
Bachelor Level Programs
UNSW School of Art & Design offers Australia's most diverse and comprehensive range of art and design studio disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary practices across 3D visualisation, animation, ceramics, drawing, experience, fashion, furniture, graphics, installation, interaction, jewellery, moving image, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, sound, textiles, visual effects, and more. These disciplines and more are offered through our undergraduate degrees in Visual Arts, Design, Animation & Moving Image, and Art Theory.
Students can combine the Fine Arts or Design degree with another degree from selected programs across UNSW. A wide range of double degree options are available including Fine Arts/Arts, Fine Arts/Computer Science, Fine Arts/Education (Secondary), Fine Arts/Media, Commerce/Design, Design/Education (Secondary), Design/Media, and many more.
Undergraduate Degrees: 3 year programs
Bachelor of Fine Art in Visual Arts
Bachelor of Design in Integrated Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Theory
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Moving Image
Bachelor of Art Theory (Honours)
Honours Degree: 1 year program
Bachelor of Design (Honours)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours)
Bachelor of Media Arts (Honours)
Master Level Programs
Master of Design
Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership
Master of Simulation and Immersive Technologies
Master of Animation and Visual Effects
Research Activity and Main Areas
UNSW School of Art & Design undertakes innovative research and scholarship, with creative practice experimentation at its heart, societal impact as its driving purpose, and a commitment to championing Indigenous research and decolonial practices.
Across our history, the School has led Australian research in creative arts and design in practice, theory, history, activism and cultural engagement. Our research includes fields evaluated as “well above world standard” in the last Excellence in Research for Australia review. We are home to over 60 research active academics and over 80 Higher Research Degree candidates.
The School undertakes socially embedded research through industry and community partnerships, from NGOs to government bodies to museums and technology companies. Our research supports these partners through expertise in research methods including practice-based research, situated fieldwork, archival research, user-centered design, speculative design, rapid prototyping, and socially-engaged design. Our campus hosts advanced research facilities, housing state-of-the-art visualisation, multi-speaker audio, and real-time tracking technologies.
The collective work of our researchers actively transforms Australia’s leading and most impactful cultural institutions and venues including the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Biennale of Sydney, The Powerhouse Museum, The Maritime Museum, Carriageworks, Bundanon Trust, The Sydney Opera House and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Doctorate Level Programs
Master of Fine Arts (Research)
Master of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
UNSW offers a wide breadth of courses for students across six faculties:
Arts, Design & Architecture, which includes the School of Art & Design
Business
Engineering
Law & Justice
Science
Medicine & Health (students cannot enrol in clinical Medicine courses)
All courses are listed in the UNSW Handbook https://www.unsw.edu.au/search#search=handbook
Application Deadlines
Exchange has two application deadlines per year:
Term 1 – Applications due before 15 October of previous year
Term 3 – Applications due before 1 April of same year
Teaching Languages
English
Semester Dates
Our flexible calendar allows students to plan their studies to suit their academic needs and timeframe. Each year at UNSW, we have:
- Three standard terms
- A summer term in January
- A winter term in August.
Students choose between a standard term, a tailored term or one of our year-long options. To start planning their Study Abroad or Exchange program, students must consider the number of courses needed, the duration of their UNSW study and the number of credits needed to transfer back to the home institution.
The term dates are outlined here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/student/managing-your-studies/key-dates/academic-calendar/inbound-exchange.
In 2028 UNSW will move to a new flex-semester claendar which includes:
- Two 12-week teaching semesters plus a mid-semester break
- Optional six-week summer and winter terms for short, intensive or catch-up courses
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
Overseas Health Cover – Students are required by the Australian government to have OSHC medical insurance for the duration of their student visa with the exception of Norwegian, Swedish and Belgium passport holders. Details are provided to students on their acceptance. UNSW will then send a certificate of enrolment (CoE), the document required to apply for a study visa. Students should confirm their visa and book their travel to Sydney to arrive in time for orientation.
Cost of living estimates – $2,645 AUD to $4,166 AUD per month
