The Master of Fine Arts aims to provide opportunities for suitably qualified candidates to develop their potential for research, develop mastery in their field of practice and contribute to understandings of contemporary artistic practice and theories of arts and culture. High quality research subjects and independent supervision ensure artistic and intellectual excellence and leadership potential, and learning and training takes place in an international context.

Completion of the Master of Fine Arts signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

The duration of Master of Fine Arts candidature is two years for full-time candidates, with no extension allowed.

Candidates submit a written thesis of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 words or a thesis comprising a combination of creative work and written component to the equivalent of 40,000 words. The written component must be of at least 25% (10,000 words) of the final submission.

The creative work may take the form of performance, exhibition, writing (poetry, fiction, script or other written literary forms), design, film, video, multimedia, CD, DVD or other new media technologies and modes of presentation, subject to the capacity of the faculty to resource the proposed creative work. The creative work must be comprehensively documented and either the documentation or the creative work itself submitted with the written component.

The thesis will be assessed at the end of the candidature.

The Master of Fine Arts is offered in the following discipline areas:

• Dance
• Design and Production
• Film and Television
• Indigenous Arts and Culture
• Music Theatre
• Theatre
• Visual Art

Students have appropriately experienced supervisors and an Advisory Committee who, in consultation with the student, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidacy.

Students are enrolled in the Research Project (MFA) for the duration of their candidature. At the completion of the course, students submit a written thesis of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 words or a thesis comprising a combination of creative work and written component to the equivalent of 40,000 words. The written component must be of at least 25% (10,000 words) of the final submission.

The VCA strongly supports practice-led or artistic research projects leading to the submission a thesis comprising both Creative Work and Dissertation, according to the University guidelines for a thesis with Creative Work.

Students participate in regular seminars.

Coursework Component

Students are required to complete FINA90002 Research Methods, normally in the first semester of their enrolment.

The Master of Fine Arts provides you with the opportunity to further develop your artistic practice, and can lead to PhD study.

The Selection Committee will evaluate your ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria. One of: An honours degree with at least H2A (75%) average, including a maj

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.