Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours)

1 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Southern Queensland

Program Overview

If you're passionate about taking your creative practice beyond undergraduate study, the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) is the perfect next step. Designed for aspiring researchers, artists, performers, and media professionals, this one-year program allows you to explore a topic you're genuinely passionate about while working closely with an experienced academic supervisor to produce an original research project or creative work.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

During your Honours year, you'll build advanced research and creative skills while focusing on an independent project in your chosen discipline, such as Film, Television and Radio, Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, or Creative Arts and Wellness. You'll strengthen your understanding of Research Methods, undertake a substantial Honours Dissertation or Creative Project, and develop an accompanying Exegesis that reflects on your creative process and research. By the end of the program, you'll have produced a significant piece of original work that showcases both your creative ability and academic expertise.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Creative Research, Film, Television and Radio, Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Creative Arts and Wellness, Research Methods, Creative Practice, Academic Writing, Creative Project Development, Dissertation, Exegesis.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Develop advanced research skills, produce original creative work, apply critical and creative thinking, integrate theory with professional practice, communicate research effectively, demonstrate independent project management, prepare for higher research study and creative leadership.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

While the program is not professionally accredited, it is designed to prepare graduates for advanced creative practice and provides an excellent pathway into research degrees such as a Master's by Research or PhD. The program also equips graduates with the research, analytical, and creative skills valued across the creative industries.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Southern Queensland is recognised for delivering an outstanding student experience in Creative Arts, with national recognition for the quality of its teaching and overall educational experience. The personalised supervision and research-focused approach help graduates build strong portfolios and develop the expertise needed for careers in the creative industries or further academic research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) is built around independent, practice-led research, giving you the opportunity to investigate a creative topic that genuinely interests you while working one-on-one with an experienced academic supervisor. Rather than following a traditional classroom model, you'll develop your own substantial research or creative project, using UniSQ's creative facilities, specialist studios, and extensive research resources to bring your ideas to life. Throughout the year, you'll refine both your creative practice and research skills while producing work that reflects professional and academic standards.

Your learning experience is supported through a range of dedicated facilities and resources, including:

Individual supervision from an academic researcher throughout your Honours project.
Access to creative studios and specialist spaces for disciplines including Film, Television and Radio, Theatre, Music, and Visual Arts.
Opportunities to produce either an original creative work accompanied by an exegesis or a traditional research dissertation.
Research support through the UniSQ Library, providing extensive academic databases, journals, archives, research guides, and specialist librarian assistance.
Access to digital library resources and online research tools to support literature reviews, academic writing, and creative inquiry.
Purpose-built performance, rehearsal, and creative production spaces that support artistic experimentation and project development.
Opportunities to engage with UniSQ's wider creative research community through the School of Creative Arts and academic research culture.
Close mentoring that encourages independent project management, critical reflection, and professional creative practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) equips you with advanced research expertise, creative problem-solving skills, and a strong portfolio of original work that can set you apart in both the creative industries and academia. Whether you want to pursue a professional creative career or continue into higher research, the Honours qualification demonstrates your ability to undertake independent, high-level creative and scholarly work. Typical career pathways include Creative Producer, Researcher, Arts Manager, University Tutor/Lecturer (with further study), Film or Theatre Practitioner, and Creative Consultant.

To support your transition into the next stage of your career, UniSQ provides a range of services and opportunities:

UniSQ Career Development offers personalised career counselling, résumé and cover letter reviews, interview coaching, career planning, and employability workshops to help students prepare for graduate roles.
Students have access to CareerHub, UniSQ's online careers platform, where they can explore graduate vacancies, internships, industry events, employer presentations, and career resources.
Through the Honours program, students work closely with experienced academic supervisors and become part of UniSQ's research community, helping them build valuable professional and academic networks.
The Honours qualification serves as a recognised pathway into higher research degrees and demonstrates advanced research capability valued by employers across the creative sector.
While UniSQ does not publish specific employment or salary figures for this program, graduates benefit from transferable skills in research, communication, critical thinking, and project management that are highly regarded across creative industries, education, arts organisations, media, and cultural institutions.
Graduates leave with a substantial research dissertation or creative project that strengthens their professional portfolio and enhances opportunities for employment or further academic study.

Further Academic Progression:

The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) provides a direct pathway to postgraduate research. Graduates who perform well may continue into a Master of Research, Master by Research, or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), allowing them to further specialise in their creative discipline, contribute original research, and pursue careers in academia, creative leadership, or advanced professional practice.