Bachelor of Media Arts

The Bachelor of Film and Television is an innovative degree that puts you at the cutting-edge of film, television and visual effects (VFX) production and theory.

You'll develop the technical knowledge and experience needed to enter the exciting world of screen production and content creation.

While you study you will develop the skills and contacts you need for a successful career in the creative industries;

graduating with a digital portfolio of work and practical industry experience.

You also have the opportunity to specialise in visual effects in your third year of study at world-renowned VFX studio, Rising Sun Pictures where you will study alongside industry professionals and mentors.

Third year students have the opportunity to connect with the Film Concept Lab, and work alongside We Made A Thing Studios, and other industry professionals, in the production of a short film for festival release.

If you finish your degree with a credit or higher grade point average (GPA) you could be eligible for the one-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree.

You could also continue your studies with a Master of Teaching and teach media arts.

If this interests you, please read How Do I Become a Teacher before selecting your courses.

If you would like to apply directly into the Bachelor of Film and Television/Master of Teaching (Secondary) package option, please apply via SATAC using 444531.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfill any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
• Demonstrate a minimum of 2 years full-time relevant work experience, or part-time equivalent*

*More details about how to demonstrate eligibility to meet the work experience criteria are available at the UniSA Creative entry via work experience website.

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Throughout the degree, you will explore theory and practice combining traditional and digital forms required by industry. You will gain an understanding in all stages of the professional production cycle from conceptualisation and script writing, through to production and post-production.

You will analyse film and media from around the globe to gain insight into different creative contexts, forms and practices. You will develop professional knowledge in screenwriting, cinematic design, and the production of documentary, experimental and narrative film and television, and VFX, while understanding different media platforms and the end-user experience.

You can specialise in Film and Television production or VFX. In the Film and Television production specialisation, you will complete a series of industry, production and screen theory courses, and will have the opportunity to apply for the UniSA and WeMat Film Concept Lab. In the VFX specialisation, you will study the third year of the degree at Rising Sun Pictures (RSP), working alongside world-class visual effects artists who have created hundreds of sequences for motion pictures including Ford v Ferrari, Captain Marvel and Mortal Kombat.

You will engage with industry leaders across all disciplines, work on real-world projects and use the latest production software and technologies, graduating career-ready with your own portfolio of production work, showcasing your practical skills and creativity across a variety of media forms.

You'll work autonomously and collaboratively throughout the degree - just like in industry across a range of different roles, preparing you for a move into national and international industries when you graduate.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. There may be essays, assignments and occasional exams. You could also expect:

This degree is hands-on and practical. It includes industry-based courses so you can build vital relationships that may be beneficial after graduation. In one of our most popular industry placements, selected students spend their entire final year studying with visual effects studio, Rising Sun Pictures. They get practical training in the core skills of entry-level visual effects artists, and build their industry networks. You could also develop your networks by taking part in the Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience, an internship, a student exchange, or a media industry placement.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes, employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

Film and Television professionals are curious and observant; they are creative and dedicated to expressing their experience of the world. Our students are passionate about the television, film, visual effects, game design, and digital production industries. Career outcomes include:

• Director / Filmmaker: create, direct or produce feature or short films for cinema, television or online
• Visual Effects artist: work as a compositor, FX artist, editor, or production coordinator
• Animator: create images, animations and illustrations – using software and/or by hand – for media such as film, television, video games and advertising
• Digital/Web Designer: this is a very broad field that includes developing a visual look and doing technical production for websites, games, apps, and graphics
• Video Editor: part of the post production process, video editing can also include working with special effects
• Graphic Designer: use industry-specific software to design and produce print, web and multimedia products; some graphic designers are also illustrators
• Television Producer: can be in charge of everything from scheduling and budgeting to creative control of a program
• Screenwriter: develop ideas and scripts for film and television productions
• Cinematographer / DOP: Coordinate and manage film crews, and develop the ‘visual look’ of a production

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the relevant SATAC code*, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

*There are two SATAC codes – one for this degree, and one for this degree packaged with the Master of Teaching. You can apply to study this degree on its own. However if you already know you would like to combine it with a Master of Teaching, you can apply for both together.

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved.

You’ll find student gyms, community clinics, pools, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options.

If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Film and Television students also have the opportunity to get involved in the online student radio station, UniCast, and our TV studio, where various Community Channel 44 TV shows broadcast live from our Magill campus.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

As a film and television student you will have access to:

• dedicated computer/editing suites with state-of-the-art software, so you can work on high-end visual effects and animation projects
• industry-standard facilities including an online TV studio, radio studio and sound studio
• one of South Australia’s largest green screens