The aim of the Diploma of Arts is to provide you with an opportunity to study a set of introductory units in the humanities and the arts disciplines. Successful completion of the course means gaining a recognised qualification. It also means guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Arts. You will explore disciplines at the introductory level that study the way humans recognise, record and debate human practices, meanings and values. This will aid you in developing knowledge of the human condition and of how society operates. You will have the opportunity to gain crucial lifelong learning and transferable generic skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. You will be able to apply these skills to a range of employment opportunities and life situations.
The Diploma of Arts develops versatile communication, critical thinking, and creative skills that open pathways into diverse careers including arts and cultural programming, communication and public relations, community and cultural liaison, creative writing and authorship, digital content production, environmental and urban planning, event and campaign coordination, gallery and museum roles, government policy and research, heritage and cultural services, media and video production, publishing and editing, stakeholder engagement, theatre and creative industries production, and many more.
| Duration | 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 48 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | DipArts |
| AQF Level | Level 5: Diploma |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
|
|
Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
|
|---|---|
|
International Students CRICOS Codes |
| Rank Threshold | SR 60 | ATAR 60 |
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University.
You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of:
These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each application will be assessed individually.
If you are a prospective international student, please visit the English requirements for international students page for further information.
Nil
Nil
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
|
No Residential School for this course.
| Not applicable |
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 11 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
Examples are:
| Course Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts, with depth in some areas within a field of work and learning | |||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources | |||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and communication skills to analyse, plan, design and evaluate approaches to unpredictable problems and/or management requirements | |||||
| 4. SKILLS Have specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives | |||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer knowledge and specialised skills to others and demonstrate understanding of knowledge | |||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate application with depth in some areas of specialisation, in known or changing contexts | |||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical and/or creative skills in a range of situations | |||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations with responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad parameters for quantity and quality | |||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement to organise the work of self and others and plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of teams within broad but generally well- defined parameters | |||||
| 10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications | |||||
| 11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | |||||
| 12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications | |||||
| 13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | |||||
| 14. Course content drawn from higher education units | |||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | |||||
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
To satisfy the requirements of the award, you must complete 8 undergraduate Level 1 units (48 units of credit) as outlined below.
The core of the Diploma of Arts consists of 2 compulsory units of study:
BUSN11016 Introduction to Study and Professional Practice
COMM11108 Communicating for Social Change
In addition to this core, you will complete 3 minors from the available options (Creative Writing; Literary Studies; Geography; History and Politics; Liberal Arts; Strategic Communication; Theatre Studies; Visual Arts; First Nations Studies; Digital Storytelling. Each minor consists of 2 units.
| Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| BUSN11016 | Introduction to Study and Professional Practice | |
| Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| COMM11108 | Communicating for Social Change | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Do you have a passion for writing? Our Creative Writing units introduce you to essential creative writing skills across multiple genres, including fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry. You'll develop foundational techniques and discover your creative voice whilst exploring diverse writing styles in the digital age.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| WRIT11023 | Beginning Creative Writing | |
| WRIT11025 | Creative Nonfiction | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore the foundations of visual storytelling in the digital age. This minor introduces you to essential skills in visual design and digital video production, combining hands-on practice with conceptual understanding. You'll develop techniques for creating compelling visual content across digital media platforms.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| MMST11003 | Visual Design Fundamentals | |
| MMST11009 | Digital Video and Audio | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Engage with First Nations Australian histories, cultures, and perspectives in this minor. You'll explore colonialism's ongoing impacts and develop foundational skills to critically examine issues of identity, power, and reconciliation. These introductory units build your capacity for ethical, critical thinking about First Nations perspectives and social justice.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| INDG11013 | First Nation and Non-Indigenous History: The Interface | |
| INDG11015 | Contemporary Indigenous Issues | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore the fundamentals of geography and environmental studies in this minor. You'll be introduced to contemporary human geography, environmental issues, and geopolitical perspectives through an integrated humanities approach. These introductory units provide foundational discipline knowledge and develop your understanding of how we interact with and manage our environment.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| GEOG11023 | Physical Geography of Australia | |
| GEOH11001 | Introduction to Human Geography | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore history as both a subject and a method of enquiry. This minor introduces you to studying the human past to better understand the present. You'll develop foundational skills in analysing evidence, constructing arguments, and interpreting how historical events have shaped our world, building essential critical thinking abilities.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| HIST11037 | Dawn of Humanity: An Introduction to World History | |
| HIST11038 | The Modern World Emerges: An Overview | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
The Liberal Arts minor may be used to support credit transfers, pathways, international study experiences and transition arrangements. Students cannot self-enrol in the Liberal Arts minor. Please contact Course Management for more information about this minor.
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore the foundations of literary and cultural studies in this minor. You'll examine literature including stories, poems, and plays alongside cultural texts including film, media, and advertising, discovering how these texts reveal and shape our experiences. These introductory units develop your critical reading, writing, and analytical skills, building your capacity to engage thoughtfully with diverse texts and genres.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| LITR11043 | The Short Story | |
| LITR11056 | Introduction to Literature | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore the fundamentals of Strategic Communication and learn how to reach diverse audiences effectively. This minor introduces you to essential practical skills and theoretical concepts for creating impact through communication. You'll develop foundational knowledge about strategic messaging, audience engagement, and communication across different organisational contexts.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| COMM11110 | Introduction to Strategic Communication | |
| COMM11112 | The Internet Never Lies?: Social Media and Society | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore the foundations of Theatre Studies through examining theatre across different periods and cultures. This minor introduces you to theatrical traditions, dramatic texts, and performance practices, from historical forms to contemporary theatre. You'll develop initial skills in analysing dramatic works within their contexts whilst exploring your own creative practice and understanding of theatre's transformative power.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| THTR11125 | Theatre: Stage, Screen and Musicals | |
| THTR11126 | Origins of Theatre | |
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Explore visual arts as a form of self-expression and public communication. This minor introduces you to contemporary visual arts practices and helps you begin developing creative thinking and making skills. Through these foundational units, you'll learn how visual artworks shape our understanding of ourselves and the world, whilst building initial critical thinking abilities to analyse culture's impact and exploring creative approaches to making art.
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| CART11016 | Modernism and the New | |
| CART11017 | Visual Art Materials and Processes | |
Education Pathway Students
The Head of Course will allow the Diploma of Arts as a pathway to
Education (Primary/Early Childhood or Secondary) if students do not meet the
Maths/Science pre-requisites for those Education courses. Specifically,
Education pathway students are permitted to use two units from the Liberal Arts
major and two units from the Liberal Arts minor (total of four units) to meet
the Maths/Science pre-requisites as well as other first year Education units
that can transfer across. If you are an Education pathway student, you should
contact the Course Advice Team for enrolment advice.
For Course Planners please refer to: https://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/new-students/getting-started/planners-and-profiles.
Recommended Study Schedule
Students may determine their own schedule based upon credit transfers and personal study requirements. It is important to note that full-time students usually enrol in 4 units per term and part-time students usually enrol in 2 units per term.
For a list of units available in the Arts Majors, please refer to the Bachelor of Arts handbook entry here - https://handbook.cqu.edu.au/programs/index?programCode=CA10
Students can get assistance with the preparation of their study schedule by contacting the Course Advice Team by email at spc@cqu.edu.au or online at http://programadvice.cqu.edu.au.
Unit availability
Students should note that although Level 1 units are offered every year, Advanced Level units may only be offered in alternate years. Students should check unit availability by clicking on the hyperlinked unit codes of their choices.
Please note: Students must check to see when and where a unit is offered before enrolling. Please check the Handbook for term offerings and pre-requisite requirements as they may change from year to year http://handbook.cqu.edu.au.
Credit Transfer
Students will be assessed for credit transfer on a case-by-case basis and will be required to nominate the CQU units they wish to be considered for exemption from. Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies, equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity program, have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption.
Students may only gain credit transfer for up to 67% of the overall program.
Please note that study undertaken more than 10 years ago is not normally considered unless the applicant can supply certified documents showing that they have been continually using the required skills in the work force. Only TAFE diploma level or above is recognised for credit at tertiary level.
Refer to the Credit Transfer website at https://www.cqu.edu.au/courses-and-programs/credit-transfer-and-rpl/credit-transfers for further details on the guidelines and application process.
Computing Requirements
Students who enrol in this course require access to a computer with an internet connection. Hardware and software requirements vary for individual units within the course. On-campus students may use the computer hardware, software and production equipment that is available at their local campus.