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CUA41320 Certificate IV in Visual Arts

National ID
CUA41320
WA Course Code
BGR8
CRICOS code
105801E
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Why choose this course?

Develop practical skills in the visual arts with this qualification. This course will give you an immersive visual arts experience, where you will be able to explore a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and digital art. In addition, you will also develop your knowledge and skills in contextual studies, and safety and sustainability in visual arts.

Take advantage of our excellent art and craft facilities, and benefit from a long history of quality training in the creative industries. This course will give you a solid foundation for a career in the visual arts industry or the opportunity to continue your studies.

Career opportunities

  • Studio Artist
  • Visual Artist

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Equivalent to Australian Year 12.

  • OR Completion of CUA30720 Certificate III in Design Fundamentals is required for entry into this course.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,804
  • Resources fee: $1,200
  • Materials fee: $126

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course. 

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 15 units. These 15 are comprised of 6 core units and 9 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAACD311 Produce drawings to communicate ideas
  • CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
  • CUAPPR414 Develop self as artist
  • CUAPPR415 Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work
  • CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice
  • CUAWHS312 Apply work health and safety practices
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUACER411 Experiment with techniques to produce ceramic works
  • CUADES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
  • CUADES303 Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
  • CUADIG415 Produce innovative digital images
  • CUADRA401 Experiment with techniques to produce drawings
  • CUAPAI411 Experiment with techniques to produce paintings
  • CUAPRI411 Experiment with printing techniques
  • CUARES412 Conduct research
  • CUASCU411 Experiment with techniques to produce sculpture

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course includes a model of practice led research where students use a visual diary as a hub of gathering class notes, technical data, OSH information, initiating and developing own ideas and brainstorms, writing reflections on feedback and class project brief, developing installation ideas, and reflecting on final products is what can be seen in the diary and will be used to collect assessment evidence. Another assessment method used is the development of a folio of work, which usually consists of tests and experiments in relation to developing an understanding of the project brief as well as finished works. The folio can be presented in the form of a critique, where the work is appropriately installed for the class and assessors to view ask questions, provide verbal feedback. The student is also given opportunity to verbally present the body of work, explain objectives and how they relate to the set project brief, and answer any questions. This is the model used in industry when presenting a body of work, and the student is able to demonstrate their understanding of the project brief, clearly articulate intentions and discuss and successes or failures that led them through the creative process of practice led research.

 

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, learning plans, assessment tools, PowerPoints, previous student examples, work books for drawing, lecture notes and visual diaries.

 

Facilities and equipment may include access to a allocated studio space, desk and wall space, a fully equipped tool store and woodwork and metal facilities so that you can borrow tools to complete projects, painting and drawing studios with desks, easels, drawing boards and sinks, printing presses suitable for etching and relief processes, benches for ink and rollers, Computer MAC labs with specialised software, sculpture studios with access to a plaster wet area and the wood and metal workshop with associated technician, ceramic studios equipped with work benches, pottery wheels, slab roller, extruders, and sinks with appropriate drainage and the campus library which is stocked with a range of visual art and design books.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | North Metropolitan TAFE (52786)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,804
  • Resources fee: $1,200
  • Materials fee: $126

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course. 

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 15 units. These 15 are comprised of 6 core units and 9 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUAACD311 Produce drawings to communicate ideas
  • CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project
  • CUAPPR414 Develop self as artist
  • CUAPPR415 Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work
  • CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice
  • CUAWHS312 Apply work health and safety practices
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • CUACER411 Experiment with techniques to produce ceramic works
  • CUADES302 Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms
  • CUADES303 Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms
  • CUADIG415 Produce innovative digital images
  • CUADRA401 Experiment with techniques to produce drawings
  • CUAPAI411 Experiment with techniques to produce paintings
  • CUAPRI411 Experiment with printing techniques
  • CUARES412 Conduct research
  • CUASCU411 Experiment with techniques to produce sculpture

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course includes a model of practice led research where students use a visual diary as a hub of gathering class notes, technical data, OSH information, initiating and developing own ideas and brainstorms, writing reflections on feedback and class project brief, developing installation ideas, and reflecting on final products is what can be seen in the diary and will be used to collect assessment evidence. Another assessment method used is the development of a folio of work, which usually consists of tests and experiments in relation to developing an understanding of the project brief as well as finished works. The folio can be presented in the form of a critique, where the work is appropriately installed for the class and assessors to view ask questions, provide verbal feedback. The student is also given opportunity to verbally present the body of work, explain objectives and how they relate to the set project brief, and answer any questions. This is the model used in industry when presenting a body of work, and the student is able to demonstrate their understanding of the project brief, clearly articulate intentions and discuss and successes or failures that led them through the creative process of practice led research.

 

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use the matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, learning plans, assessment tools, PowerPoints, previous student examples, work books for drawing, lecture notes and visual diaries.

 

Facilities and equipment may include access to a allocated studio space, desk and wall space, a fully equipped tool store and woodwork and metal facilities so that you can borrow tools to complete projects, painting and drawing studios with desks, easels, drawing boards and sinks, printing presses suitable for etching and relief processes, benches for ink and rollers, Computer MAC labs with specialised software, sculpture studios with access to a plaster wet area and the wood and metal workshop with associated technician, ceramic studios equipped with work benches, pottery wheels, slab roller, extruders, and sinks with appropriate drainage and the campus library which is stocked with a range of visual art and design books.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on December 1, 2022