Certificate IV in Visual Arts
Overview
1 year full time / 2 years part time
1 year
February, May, July, October
February
Extend your artistic practice
Our Certificate IV in Visual Arts CUA41320 course is designed to develop and extend skills and knowledge across a range of 2D art forms and develop skills and confidence in using a range of techniques. The course has a practical hands-on focus with instruction from specialist subject teachers. By studying at Melbourne Polytechnic you’ll be amongst Melbourne’s thriving visual arts scene, with over 100 art galleries in the metropolitan area alone.
Consolidate your skills
Our Certificate IV in Visual Arts CUA41320 will help you build upon foundational artistic techniques and refine your artistic practice. You’ll advance your skills in drawing, illustration, printmaking, painting, design and digital imaging and photography. This broad range of media and processes will help you find your artistic strengths, and is supported by units in art history and professional practice.
Our Visual Arts program offers fully-equipped specialist studios, computer labs and dedicated classrooms for each artistic technique. You will have the opportunity to exhibit your work in on-campus art galleries. You’ll be taught by experienced, working artists with specialist knowledge. As part of your course, you will be involved in exhibitions, industry forums and workshops with professionals from across the arts industry. We maintain industry partnerships, including curators, gallery directors and arts business professionals, to prepare you for a career in the visual arts.
Upcoming info sessions
Have a chat with our highly experienced course advisors who can help you navigate your many career options.
Career Pathways
Where will the Certificate IV in Visual Arts CUA41320 take me?
Graduates may enter the art sector into a range of visual arts, craft, and design roles.
- Community Arts Project Facilitator
- Studio Assistant
- Community Arts Project Supervisor
- Gallery Assistant
Study Pathways
Upon graduation, you’ll have a folio of work for self-promotion or further study. Successful Melbourne Polytechnic Certificate IV in Visual Arts CUA41320 graduates may articulate into our Diploma of Visual Arts CUA51120, specialising in either Illustration or Painting/Printmaking.
Course Details
Delivery methods
- Studio Based
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus
Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Class Schedule
Tuesday to Friday
Assessment Methods
Students will build a folio of work based on projects and class exercises and be assessed on completed projects and final folio submissions.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| CUAACD311 | Produce drawings to communicate ideas | Core | 90 |
| CUADES301 | Explore the use of colour | Elective | 50 |
| CUADES411 | Generate design solutions | Elective | 70 |
| CUADIG415 | Produce innovative digital images | Elective | 70 |
| CUAILL401 | Develop and refine illustrative work | Elective | 50 |
| CUAPAI411 | Experiment with techniques to produce paintings | Elective | 50 |
| CUAPHI403 | Enhance, manipulate and output photo images | Elective | 80 |
| CUAPPR411 | Realise a creative project | Core | 90 |
| CUAPPR414 | Develop self as artist | Core | 60 |
| CUAPPR415 | Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work | Core | 70 |
| CUAPPR417 | Select and prepare creative work for exhibition | Elective | 30 |
| CUAPRI312 | Produce prints | Elective | 50 |
| CUAPRI411 | Experiment with printing techniques | Elective | 50 |
| CUARES403 | Research history and theory to inform industry practice | Core | 70 |
| CUAWHS312 | Apply work health and safety practices | Core | 30 |
Visual Arts at Melbourne Polytechnic
Fees & Costs
| Concession | Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $910 | $4550 | $11750 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $175 | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $1085 | $4800 | $12000 |
| Per year | $19600 |
| Per semester | $9800 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Fees explained
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:
- Commonwealth Health Care card, or
- Pensioner Concession card, or
- Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
- Veterans Gold card.
The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $250 for full fee-paying students; and
- $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Book an interview
Requirements
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalency
English:Academic IELTS 6.0 overall, Pearson PTE Academic 50 overall, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other: Applicants are required to have a demonstrated interest in the visual arts field.
Next Steps
We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.
You will be asked to attend an interview and folio presentation to ensure that this is the right course for you.
It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend our Skills and Job Centre, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payments Plans here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year
Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.
Recognising Organisations
Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.