Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture)

Digital and Social Media

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. understand and apply key concepts of Internet Studies and apply trans-disciplinary thinking to the application and creation of ideas concerning networked technologies of information and communication
2. think critically, creatively and reflectively so as to imagine, design, use and critique networked technologies of information and communication
3. conduct appropriate scholarly and professional research to find, access, organise, evaluate and synthesise information through a variety of media and apply that information to the construction of knowledge
4. communicate and facilitate communication through a variety of media, for different purposes, and for different audiences
5. use the Internet and related networked technologies of information and communication with an understanding of the complex interaction of political, cultural, and economic forces that constitutes technology as social
6. further develop skills and knowledge through self-directed learning
7. understand the complex interplay of local, national and global factors that influence and are expressed through the Internet and networked technologies of information and communication
8. recognise and value cultural difference and understand its significance in relation to network technologies and their use in society for communication and information
9. act ethically and responsibly to use, sustain and expand the social, business and cultural networks that exist via the Internet, when working independently and in teams.

Visual Culture

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge of critical discourses within art and design; contribute to evidence based practice through visual research
2. think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within the research and articulation of visual culture
3. critically evaluate visual culture, technology, practices and literature relevant to the discipline, synthesise information from a range of sources
4. demonstrate effective visual, spoken and written communication appropriate to art and design critical discourses
5. use and discern visual and other technologies appropriate to the understanding of contemporary art and design
6. sustain an engagement with visual culture and creative industries through self-directed ongoing learning skills
7. recognise the significance of disparate international visual art and design practices in the development of local and national professional contemporary visual cultural production
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity through visual language; respect individuals from all cultures; develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in art and design
9. work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating art and design professional practice and leadership skills.

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications and Visual Culture).

The Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur. In the Visual Culture major students explore the history and theories of art and learn to critically evaluate how art informs our world. Students are also trained in practices of seeing and representation through technical and intuitive skills based in drawing.

Recommended study pattern

To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.

Level 1 BA (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture) - complete the following:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• NET102 Internet and Everyday Life (Digital and Social Media major subject)
• WEB101 Web Communications (Digital and Social Media major subject)
• VIS18 Introduction to History of Art and Design (Visual Culture major subject)
• VIS19 Issues in Contemporary Art (Visual Culture major subject)
• Two elective subjects

Level 2 and level 3

Single Major BA (Digital and Social Media)

Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Digital and Social Media major subjects

AND

Single Major BA (Visual Culture)

Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 three Visual Culture major subjects

The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.

Award requirements

To obtain the award for the BA (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture) students must complete a total of 24 subjects as follows:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• 10 Digital and Social Media Major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 10 Visual Culture Major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 2 elective subjects

The following criteria also apply:

• The combined Digital and Social Media and Visual Culture structure only allows two elective subjects.
• You must complete the degree within 10 years
• You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Common Level 1 Subjects

• Level 1 Major - Digital and Social Media

• Level 1 Major - Visual Culture

• Level 2 Major - Digital and Social Media

• Level 2 Major - Visual Culture

• Level 3 Major - Digital and Social Media

• Level 3 Major - Visual Culture

We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.

2020 Changes:

Degree structure changes

From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)(Visual Culture) major will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.  

Level 1:

• Two humanities core subjects; APC100 and COM155,
• Two Digital and Social Media major subjects;   NET102 and WEB101
• Two Visual Culture major subjects; VIS18 and VIS19, and
• Two Elective subjects

Level 2:

• Four Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET204, NET205, WEB206 and WEB207
• Four Visual Culture major subjects; VAR250,  VIS24, VIS27 and VIS29

Level 3:

• Four Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET303, WEB300, WEB310 and NET308 OR NET391
• Four Visual Culture major subjects; VAR300, VIS320, VIS330 and VIS340

Digital and Social Media Changes

• Major Title Change: The title of the major Internet Communications has been changed to Digital and Social Media to reflect current relevancy and recognition within this industry. 

• Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA100 and MED104 will be offered for the last time in SP1 and SP3, 2020. 

• Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects​ MCA110 and MCA120 are no longer available as of SP1 2020.  Students who have previously completed these will have these subjects credited towards their degree.

• NET390 Internet Communications Project has been changed to NET391 Digital and Social Media Communications project to be in line with the title of the degree and is now an option subject for NET308 Internet Collaboration and Innovation to allow more flexibility and bring the former into the line-up of core subjects. NET390 Internet Communications Project was previously a double subject. 

Visual Culture Subject Changes

• VIS18 and VAR101 (previously VAR100) are no longer  Humanities Core Level 1 subjects. Students who have previously completed these subjects as common core subjects will have these credited to their degree of study.
• VIS18 has been changed from a Humanities common core subject to a Visual Culture major subject.
• VAR110 (previously VAR11) is no longer a Visual Culture major subject.  Students may select this subject as an optional subject in level 1.
• VAR250 replaces VAR25.   VAR250 will provide students optional pathways to develop their research skills through theoretical or practical approaches.   
• VAR300 replaces VAR31.  VAR300 will provide students optional pathways to develop their research skills through theoretical or practical approaches.
• VIS340 is a new level 3 version of previous level 2 subject VIS25 in the Visual Culture Major.  Students who have completed VIS25 should not complete the third year level subject VIS340. Instead students should select another VIS subject from level 2 not already completed.
• VAR26 and VAR32 will be available in 2020 only and then deactivated in 2021. Existing registered major students may continue to select these subjects to complete their major degree of study in BA (Fine Art) and (Visual Culture) in 2020 only.  
• VIS26 will be available for SP1 2020 only.
• Students who have previously completed VIS26, VAR26 and VAR32 will have them credited in the new structure.

Existing students will need to select from the available subjects to complete the BA (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture) major.

The combined Digital and Social Media and Visual Culture structure only allows two elective subjects.

Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which major structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education.  Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes. 

Students with enquiries please email:

Digital and Social Media Major Coordinator: Elaine Tay internetstudies@exchange.curtin.edu.au

Visual Culture Major Coordinator: Gina Cinanni g.cinanni@curtin.edu.au

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $36,770

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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• Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).

• Successful study through OUA – either:
  • Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
  • Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.

• Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre Prerequisites

• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
• Finished secondary education more than two years ago
• Bridging and enabling degree entry
  • Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.

Additional information

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

• Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
• Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).