LCAD is Australia's leading Visual Art & Design College

Australia's leading Visual Art & Design College

Visual Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, Game Art & Animation

Graphic Design Visual Art Our History Our Values & Beliefs Our Facilities Subjects Game Art & Animation

Graphic Design Visual Art Our History Our Values & Beliefs Our Facilities Subjects Game Art & Animation

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LCAD is proud to offer the nationally recognised CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts. Our course enables students to develop a range of technical skills and conceptual strategies in visual art whilst nurturing their own individual style. Students have the option of enrolling in an art-focused stream or a photography-focused stream in visual art and are supported by experienced teachers who are well-recognised in their respective fields. VET Student Loans are available for eligible students.

To view the term dates for our next 2026 intake, click here to view our calendar.

Course
Diploma of Visual Arts

Course Code
CUA51125

Course Overview

Code
CUA51125
Duration
1 Year Full Time
Intake
3 intakes per year. February, June and September
Timetable
Classes run Monday - Wednesday between 10am and 5pm. Full time study is three days per week; study load is 20 hours per week, over a 12 week term. Part-time and single subject enrolment is available.
Enrolment Deadline
Check availability if term start is within 4 wks.
Prerequistes
No prerequisites. Beginner experience is suggested
Location
Collingwood, Melbourne
Who Can Apply?
Year 12 & non-year 12, mature age students, local and international students
Course Brochure
Distance From CBD
2.5KM

Course Outline

In our nationally accredited CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts, students acquire a range of technical and conceptual skills for art-making whilst developing an individual and personal direction. Students can choose to stream in either Art or Photography. Study options include studio art, painting methods, photography, sculpture, drawing, contemporary art theory, and digital & moving image. In the Photography stream, students will exchange drawing and sculpture units with Photography units. Please refer to the study units for more information.

Career
Pathways

Career opportunities include visual artist, photographer, animator, illustrator, designer, gallery assistant, gallery director, visual art teacher, museum conservator, exhibition curator and visual art industry expert. Students looking to pursue further university-level study may receive credit for this Diploma.

Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this course. New or inexperienced students are welcome to apply, including those currently working within the industry. All prospective students are invited to attend the college to view the studio facilities and to discuss their study interests. It is recommended that prospective students bring a folio or examples of their artwork, or details of other experience, so that LCAD can determine whether a course is the correct fit.

Study units

Students have the option of studying for one or two years. The Diploma is the first year, and the Advanced Diploma is the second year. 

Year 1: Diploma of Visual Arts (15 units)
Painting Methods A
Painting Methods W
Painting Methods S
Drawing & Mixed Media A Layers 
Drawing & Mixed Media W Line
Drawing & Mixed Media S Light
Studio Art & Ideas A
Studio Art & Ideas W
Studio Art & Ideas S
Art History 20th Century 
Art History Postmodernism & Contemporary Art
Sculpture & Installation A
Sculpture & Installation S
Digital & Moving Image W (Digital)
Digital & Moving Image S (Digital)

One Sculpture and two Digital Moving Image can be exchanged for the following:

Graphics & Layout (Design)

More options are available

Year 2 Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts (15 study units)
Extended Painting Methods A Manipulation
Extended Painting Methods W Figure
Extended Painting Methods S Realisation
Extended Drawing A Construction
Extended Drawing W Invention
Extended Drawing S Invention
Studio Exhibition Project & Independent Studio A (double unit)
Studio Exhibition Project & Independent Studio W (double unit)
Studio Exhibition Project & Independent Studio S (double unit)
Art Practice & Theory A
Art Practice & Theory W
Art Practice & Theory S

Discuss with the college any elective interests from Graphic Design

Course Details

Fees & Costs

Year Enrolment

$19,200

Full-time is 3 days of contact per week. There is a total of 15 study units. Students electing to take a reduced study load may do so if they are not international students requiring a study visa. Fees are proportionate to the student’s study load.

The Commonwealth VET Student Loans (VSL) can cover tuition and are available for domestic students. See more details below. 

$19,200 (local)

$21,450 (international)

Term Enrolment

$6,400

Term enrolment is 12 weeks. It comprises 5 study units over 3 days per week of contact. There are 3 terms in a course, with optional entry dates. Students electing to take a reduced study load may do so if they are not international students requiring a study visa. Fees are proportionate to the student’s study load.  

The Commonwealth VET Student Loans (VSL) can cover tuition and is available for domestic students. See more details below. 

$6,400

 

Vet Student Loans
Students using VSL can cover 100% of their tuition fees to study the Diploma of Visual Arts. Students must be enrolled in 2 or more study units per term to access VET Student Loans.

$0

VET Student Loans are a Commonwealth loan available to eligible students who are Australian citizens, qualifying New Zealand citizens, or permanent humanitarian visa holders, and are not means-tested.

The VSL loan is a debt to the Commonwealth until it is paid. The loan has income-contingent repayment arrangements, which means you only need to make repayments if you are earning above the minimum repayment threshold. You can make voluntary repayments at any time. 

VSL will not be approved for students who do not meet the college's eligibility requirements.   

Call the college on 03 9495 6622 or go to www.dewr.gov.au/vet-student-loans for more details.

 

 

 

FAQ's

How long are the Diplomas?

All our Diplomas are one year long, and the Advanced Diploma is two years (the Advanced Diploma is 1 year after completing the Diploma).

Can I undertake the Advanced Diploma after completing the Diploma?

Yes, the Advanced Diploma is one more year which can be automatically entered in to once the Diploma (or a Diploma from another college) has been completed.

How do I enrol?

Go to the courses section of www.latrobecollege.edu.au and make a course application or enrol directly into a single subject. Course applicants will be contacted by phone or email. Those enrolling in a single subject will be sent an Enrolment Form.

When should I apply?

At any time. There are three entry dates per year: February, June, and September.

What date does my application need to be submitted?

Application deadlines are normally one month before studies start. However, some places may still be available after the deadline, so it is worth enquiring.

Do I need to present a folio to apply?

The college would like to see a folio or examples of artwork, design or photography that the applicant might have. Seeing examples of creative work helps the college understand more the student’s interests.

Do I need previous experience to study here?

Students with experience and those with very little can study at Latrobe College.

Is it a requirement to complete a Certificate IV before entering the Diploma?

No.

What do I need to apply for a course?

1. Your Application Form

2. Examples of your creative work whether that be a folio, or examples of paintings, drawing, photographs, designs, digital work or anything else. Other experience, not necessarily related to their field of study, is also of value. The college is also interested in talking to students who have very little to show. The college would like to know what interests the student has, or kinds of experience they may have had.

3. A high school certificate or higher. If a domestic student is unable to provide this then LCAD can organise a short literacy/ numeracy test.
International Students with English as a second language need to complete an English test, such as a general English iELTS and achieve a score of 5.5 or above, with no individual band less than 5.0.

4. A birth certificate or passport (domestic), or just your passport (international).

5. International Students may need a study visa and health cover (OSHC) for the period of the course.

Can LCAD help with my application?

Yes, LCAD can help those requiring assistance with their application.

What do I need to enrol in an informal subject?

Just your enrolment form.

Do you have evening classes?

No, we do not run evening classes currently. 

Can I do a subject just for fun?

Yes, students can enrol informally in a subject for interest only. They will follow the same program as other students but they will not receive a formal assessment.

When are course fees due?

All students are required to pay a deposit when they enrol unless they are using VET Student Loans (domestic students) for some courses. The balance of term fees, or the first term instalment, is due at Orientation or by the first week of classes.

Do you provide a scholarship program?

At this stage scholarships are not available.

Are your Diplomas equivalent to Diplomas offered at other colleges?

Yes, most VET approved Diplomas in Australia are equivalent to each other.

What is full-time study?

Full-time study is generally 3 days per week.

What is part-time study?

Part-time is reduced full-time study load which can depend on subjects enrolled in. It may be 1 to 2 days per week.

What are the hours?

Subjects within a course will normally occur one session per week, per term. Morning timetable sessions are generally 10am-12:45pm, and afternoon sessions are 2-4:45pm. An example of a course load for visual art is Monday to Wednesday. For Graphic Design it is normally Wednesday to Friday.

What kind of additional expenses are associated with this course?

Visual Art – materials may be between $250-$280 Design and Photography – material needs will be around $100. Outside printing may be required. A DSLR Camera with video function is recommended (but not compulsory). Students wishing to use their own computer (rather than college’s computers) will need to obtain student Adobe Creative Cloud software, from Adobe, which can be around $20-25 per month.

Do I get my own studio space?

Students are given their own studio space in the Advanced Diploma.

Can International Students undertake courses at this college?

Yes, international students are approved to study here, and can obtain a student visa.

Are the courses delivered in English?

Yes.

Can I qualify for a VET Student Loan?

To qualify for a loan, applicants need to have Australian citizenship, or be a special category New Zealand visa holder, or be a permanent humanitarian visa holder. Study loans are capped for all students. For further information go to https://www.studyassist.gov.au/vet-students/vet-student-loans.

How do I apply for the loan?

The college completes the VSL application. You will need your passport or birth certificate, tax file number, USI number, and year 12 certificate or above. There are alternatives if the student does not have year 12 or cannot find their certificate.

Will VET Student Loan cover all my tuition?

VET Student Loans will cover all the costs of their tuition. Students will need to allow for approximately $290 at the start of their course for materials.

How does VET Student Loans work?

The VET Student Loan is a commonwealth interest-free loan repaid to the government gradually. A 1% is added to their tax rate once the student earns $51,550 per annum (2023) or above. The 1% tax rate gradually rises when their salary increases. Please go to www.studyassist.gov.au for more information.

What kind of recognition do I get for completing this course?

One year full-time or part-time equivalent will lead to a nationally recognised Diploma qualification. Two years full-time is an Advanced Diploma.

Will this also help me get into university?

Yes, Latrobe College has a long successful history of most of its students gaining entry into their 1st preference university course after completing their LCAD program.

Apply Now

The following application form is for students who wish to study one of our Diploma or Advanced Diploma courses in Visual Art, Graphic Design, or Game Art and Animation. The application form consists of two parts and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete if you have all the information at hand. Following submission, one of our friendly staff members will contact you to discuss your application and next steps. Please note that application closing dates are one month before the trimester starts. Need help with your application? Contact is on the link provided.

Please click here to apply.

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