Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCAR)

Back to top Program aims The program aims to produce graduates who have:

a broad and coherent body of knowledge in their specific creative discipline cognitive skills with which to critically analyse, consolidate and synthesise a variety of creative and expressive knowledges ability to activate and develop critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence effective communication through presenting clear, coherent and independent articulation of knowledge and ideas demonstrated the ability to plan, adapt knowledge and skills and make decisions in diverse practical, creative and scholastic contexts taken responsibility and accountability for their own learning in collaboration with others within broad parameters.

Core courses

All students must take the core course CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship. The recommended pattern for enrolment in this core course by full-time on-campus students is in semester one year one. This pattern should only be varied with the permission of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts. There are an additional two School core courses that most students undertaking the Bachelor of Creative Arts will be advised to enrol in throughout the third year of their degree (BCA3000 BCA Project A; BCA3001 BCA Project B ) in accord with recommended enrolment patterns.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have achieved a minimum Overall Position (OP) 16, tertiary entrance rank 66 or equivalent qualification.^

• Non-standard applications for Theatre, Music, Visual Arts and Film, Television and Radio will also be considered with an audition or interview on a case-by-case basis (see criteria below)

Subject Pre-requisites:

• Music (4, SA) or equivalent for students taking the Music major
• Visual Arts (4, SA) or equivalent for students taking the Visual Arts major
• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.

Applicants are advised to also address the following:

• Assumed knowledge expectations: English

Note: It is a requirement that Queensland-based students hold a current positive notice indicating that they are deemed suitable for working with children and young people whilst studying the Bachelor of Creative Arts – Film Television & Radio, Theatre, Music and Visual Arts. Further information about the Blue Card or Exemption Card suitability process is available from the Blue Card Services

Film, Television and Radio

• Applicants do not require an audition or interview, however they will be assessed for entry on the basis of their Overall Position (OP), Selection Rank or equivalent score.
• Applicants must present a portfolio of film work, broadcast visual or sound work or digital animation or design work according to their study interest.
• All applicants are to present a written statement (500 words) addressing the following: outline your experience within these media and/or an explanatory statement that describes your portfolio

The Film, Television, and Radio major is offered across both the Toowoomba and Springfield campuses with a variety of on-campus and online offers. The second and third year practical courses in both Television and Radio are offered at Springfield campus only.

Music

Applicants for Music must attend an audition and/or interview and must bring with them:

• a passport-sized photo of themselves
• a school exit statement or evidence of previous education standard achieved
• Music applicants will need to provide their own accompanying tracks on MP3 or an iPod. Whilst it is advantageous to have studied high school music or for AMEB practical and/or theory/musicianship exams, students who have not undertaken such studies are not precluded from applying.
• Instrumental and Vocal applicants must attend an audition and interview and present two contrasting items.
• All applicants are to present a written statement (500 words) addressing the following: a musical experience which has inspired, motivated or moved you. It might be a performance or concert you attended, or participated in, or it might be music of a particular artist or work. The submission should be typed and signed by you, with a statement which certifies that the work is your own. Please present your submission at interview.

Music major is available on-campus in Toowoomba and Springfield. Whilst collaborative music practice courses are on-campus only, all other music courses are available online.

Theatre

Applicants for Theatre must attend an audition and/or interview and must bring with them:

• a passport-sized photo of themselves
• a school exit statement or evidence of previous education standard achieved
• Applicants to Acting must present an audition as well as participate in a group workshop and interview process and present and portfolio of previous achievements.
• Applicants to Theatre Studies may opt to forgo presentation of an audition performance but MUST participate in a group workshop and interview process and present a portfolio of previous achievements. Be prepared to discuss those achievements and experiences with the interview panel.
• All applicants are to present a written statement (500 words) addressing the following: describe the most influential theatre or community arts related performance or event you have witnessed or participated in. Why was this event so important to you? How has it shaped your view and understanding of arts practice. What things did you learn from the experience? How does this event connect to your personal values and beliefs.

The Theatre major is only available on-campus in Toowoomba.

Interviews and auditions will be held at the Springfield, Ipswich and Toowoomba campuses in the last months of each year. Applicants not able to audition/interview in person can arrange to present a video-based audition and/or a telephone interview.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts majors are available on-campus in Toowoomba and online.

Online Visual Arts students should note the following further requirements:

• only painting, drawing, arts management and theory courses are available online.
• the following practical studios are not available online: ceramics, print-making, and spatial construction

Applicants for Visual Arts must attend an audition and/or interview and must bring with them:

• a passport-sized photo of themselves
• a school exit statement or evidence of previous education standard achieved
• a folio of recent or current work. This will not be retained by USQ after the interview
• All applicants are to present a written statement (500 words) addressing the following: your interest, enthusiasm and purpose in studying visual arts; career aspirations; knowledge of visual arts processes and theory; demonstrated perceptual ability and hand skills; critical abilities; and evidence of self-motivation, initiative and commitment. The submission is to be typed and signed by the student, and the statement certifies that the work is their own. Students should present the submission at interview.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

These are determined by the University for specific programs each Semester. The 2019 OP and tertiary entrance ranks are based on agreed QTAC schedules which assess formal study at Year 12 or equivalent level, tertiary, preparatory, professional or vocational qualifications or work experience, as detailed in the QTAC Assessment of Qualifications Manual and QTAC Assessor Guidelines. Special admissions may help you get into the program of your choice by increasing your Selection Rank. The additional points don't apply to all applicants or all programs. Please read the information about USQ's Special Admissions carefully to find out what you may be eligible for.

Program objectives

On successful completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate:

• a high level of discipline-based skills and knowledge that are reproducible and which will enable them to contribute to the creative potential of their communities
• a discriminating application of methods, concepts, techniques and theories in the creation of discipline-based and hybrid creative arts projects in professional, educational, community or commercial contexts
• a knowledge of the historical, ideological, critical and ethical perspectives in the creative arts, in both traditional and contemporary cultural and social contexts
• a rigorous evaluation of the outcomes of creative arts projects
• genuine engagement with relevant industry bodies and networks that will enable them to develop the work ethic necessary for practice as an independent, articulate professional creative artist
• a proficiency in the pursuit of research in creative arts; to document, and further explore the role this plays in cultural growth of a nation/society.