DOCTOR OF FINE ART

The DFA is a 3-year full-time (6-year part-time) program and is a practice-based professional doctorate that will provide the completion of an academic pathway to students. The DFA requires the successful completion and presentation of a significant body of artwork. The completed artwork will represent an original contribution to the knowledge and professional expertise in the field of visual art studio practice and will also include an accompanying text of 20,000-40,000 words that critically contextualises the studio work within the project’s field of research and knowledge.

Who is this for?

The DFA is designed for practising artists who wish to pursue specific research interests that focus on studio production. As such, the DFA provides a platform for integrating professional expertise and scholarly enquiry within the visual arts, whereupon graduates will have acquired an in-depth understanding of the technical and theoretical skills expected of a professional practitioner in the visual arts. The attainment of extended cognitive, research, technical, and creative skills will not only enable graduates to lead the contribution of knowledge within their fields of professional practice, but the exportable currency of such skills will also enhance their marketability within the wider arts-related industry.

Structure

The DFA is a three-year, six semester, full-time program (or part-time equivalent) of practice-based studio research supported by individual research supervision and regular research symposia. 

 

The full-time program is structured as follows:

  • Year 1: Studio Research 7000; Research Methodologies 7000
  • Year 2: Studio Research 8000
  • Year 3: Studio Research 9000

 

Students will also be allocated 48 hours of supervision time to be used across the DFA degree.

 

The DFA has one yearly intake, starting in February each year.

Application process

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Admission to the DFA is based on academic merit, a research proposal, portfolio and interview. Applicants are considered for admission on the basis of:

  • AQF level 9 Masters qualification in Fine Art, or
  • overseas tertiary qualifications in Fine Art considered equivalent to Australian studies, or
  • meet the requirements of an alternative entry scheme, which usually relates to professional experience that includes an established record of production and presentation of art works through industry/professional bodies.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2026

Applications open Monday 4 August 2025 and close Friday 21 November 2025 for 2026 intake.

 

Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be contacted on a rolling basis, shortly after submission.

 

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.