COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Fine Arts provides students with dedicated supervision and guidance from experienced supervisors and an Advisory Committee, who collaborate with each student to design a research program tailored to their individual interests and goals. Students are enrolled in the Research Project (MFA) for the entire duration of their candidature. Upon completion, students submit a thesis, which may be a written document of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 words or a combination of creative work and a written component totaling the equivalent of 40,000 words. The written portion must account for at least 25 percent, or 10,000 words, of the final submission.The Victorian College of the Arts strongly supports practice-led or artistic research projects, enabling students to submit a thesis that combines creative work with a dissertation, following the University guidelines for theses incorporating creative components. Students actively participate in regular seminars to present their research, discuss ideas, and receive feedback from peers and supervisors, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.In addition to the research project, students are required to complete a coursework component. This includes the subject Methods in Artistic Research (CREA90001), which is normally undertaken during the first semester of enrolment. This subject equips students with foundational skills in research methodologies, supporting their practice-led work and providing a structured framework for undertaking high-quality artistic research.Through this combination of tailored supervision, research, creative practice, and coursework, students in the Master of Fine Arts develop advanced technical skills, critical thinking, and research capabilities. The program prepares graduates to contribute original knowledge to their field, enhance their professional practice, and pursue leadership roles within the arts and creative industries.