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Undergraduate

Diploma of Arts

Domestic students International students
Diploma of Arts (DART)
Entry requirements
ATAR 58.00
View full details
Study mode
  • On-campus
  • External
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 1 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes

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Overview

  • Create new career possibilities and pursue your passion with the Diploma of Arts.
  • A diploma is the perfect introduction to university study if you don't want to commit to a full bachelor degree and can provide a chance to quickly hone professional skills that make you more employable. 
  • Our Diploma of Arts makes explicit career and employment linkages, with most courses featuring career development in fully supported learning environments. The core course allows you to explore and fine tune your career direction.
  • Tailor this degree to suit your career goals and self-expression by selecting up to seven courses across a diverse range of study areas, including Criminology, Creative Writing, Journalism, History, English Literature, Counselling, Legal Studies, and more.
  • Gain transferrable skills sought after by employers, such as teamwork, adaptability, communication, creative thinking and problem-solving; as well as an awareness of the nature of study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
  • This Diploma can be studied online or on-campus and you have the choice to study full-time or part-time, so there is plenty of flexibility that enables you to balance work, life and family commitments along with your study.

Further study

Completion of the Diploma of Arts can help you gain necessary subject knowledge to meet different entry requirements for many UniSQ bachelor degrees, including the Bachelor of Arts and, depending on the courses you choose, the Bachelor of Communication and Creative Industries.

Career outcomes

  • Depending on the courses selected, graduates may find work within communication and media industries; anthropology; cultural, political and social justice areas; writing and publishing; or para-legal practices.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 58.00 -

To study this degree we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C) 

We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge.

Special entry schemes for admissions may increase your Rank, through the allocation of additional points in certain circumstances, such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL), or if you're a domestic student you can apply to study UniSQ Ready courses TPP0122 and TPP0123.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 8 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core course 1
Elective courses* 7
Total 8

*While you may choose any seven courses from UniSQ course offerings, it is recommended that you select from three discipline areas unless you plan to complete seven units from a major study in a single discipline area. Discipline areas include:

Humanities
  • Film, Television and Radio
  • Archaeology 
  • Creative Writing 
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice 
  • English Literature 
  • First Nations Studies  
  • History  
  • International Relations 
  • Journalism 
  • Legal Studies 
  • Public Relations 
Creative Arts
  • Drama 
  • Music
  • Visual Arts Curation  
Business/ICT
  • Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Sciences 
  • Environment and Sustainability 
  • Physiology and Human Movement

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 16992
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 27440

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.
Mode QTAC Codes
External 909355
Toowoomba 909351

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

If you are applying via QTAC, please check the QTAC closing dates.

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.
Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

Two men collaborating at a computer workstation in an office environment.

Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

Talk to us
What can I study in an Arts Diploma?

What you will study in an Arts Diploma (or equivalent) will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

At UniSQ, with our Diploma of Arts you will study one core course and choose seven electives to study. We recommend that you select from three discipline areas. The discipline areas available include:

  • Humanities
  • Creative Arts
  • Business/IT
  • Sciences.

For further details on the specifics of each discipline, please view the degree structure section of this page. 

What are the entry requirements and prerequisites for a Diploma in Arts?
At UniSQ, to gain entry into our Diploma in Arts you need to meet a specific ATAR, pre-requisites and assumed knowledge requirements. ‘Assumed knowledge’ is the term we use to explain the minimum level of knowledge we presume you have in some subjects before you start your degree. 

For more information on entry requirements, please view the entry requirements section of this page. 

Do you still have questions? Get in touch with one of our iconnect support staff to talk through your options. 
What are the career opportunities for graduates completing the Diploma of Arts at UniSQ?

With an Arts and Humanities degree, you open yourself up to many rewarding career paths. A Diploma of Arts qualification from UniSQ gives you the opportunity to keep your career options open, as an arts qualification is multifaceted and covers many diverse disciplines. Some of the potential career industries including:

  • communication
  • media industries
  • anthropology
  • cultural, political and social justice
  • writing
  • publishing
  • para-legal practices.

You’ll also find that many of the principles you learn when you study an arts diploma are transferable across a range of industries, no matter where you end up working either in Australia or across the globe. 

Is financial aid or scholarships available?
We know that cost can play a big part in your decision to study. Learn about the fees related to university and the financial support options we have available during your arts diploma studies on our fees and scholarships website.
Are flexible study options available?

Yes! At UniSQ you can study a Diploma of Arts online as an external student and attend campus when required for practical experience. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, allowing you to balance study with your work and life commitments.

Work towards your undergraduate qualification at your own pace with our flexible learning options. Immerse yourself in campus life or learn your subject theory online - the choice is yours!

Discover the different ways you can study with UniSQ.