How to apply to art and design at Collarts (Australian College of the Arts): Graphic & Digital Design, Interior Design, Photography, 2D Animation and Game Design degrees in two or three years in Melbourne and Sydney, entry on a Year 12 equivalent and IELTS 6.0; portfolio requirements and timeline for students from China and Canada and transfers

Collarts, or the Australian College of the Arts, is a private creative arts college with campuses in Melbourne (Collingwood and Fitzroy) and Sydney (Waterloo). Its site footer lists TEQSA provider ID PRV12187, CRICOS provider code 03392K and RTO code 0109. Collarts teaches design, fashion, film and theatre, games and animation, music and media; this guide covers its design, photography, animation and game design bachelor's degrees.

1. Design-related bachelor's degrees

• Bachelor of Graphic & Digital Design: CRICOS 110058M (two years) / 110059K (three years); Melbourne (Collingwood, Fitzroy) and Sydney (Waterloo); covers design principles, UX/UI, motion design, branding, data visualisation, typography and publication design, with 60 hours of industry placement.
• Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design): CRICOS 098439C (two years) / 104503A (three years); Melbourne (Fitzroy) and Sydney (Waterloo).
• Bachelor of Photography: CRICOS 105694C (two years) / 105693D (three years); Melbourne only (Collingwood, Fitzroy).
• Bachelor of 2D Animation: CRICOS 110537G (two years) / 110538F (three years); Melbourne (Collingwood) and Sydney (Waterloo).
• Bachelor of Game Design: CRICOS 110056B (two years) / 110057A (three years); Melbourne (Collingwood) only, on campus only.

• Duration: two accelerated years full-time (six trimesters) or three standard years; the key dates page says full-time study usually means 2–4 days a week on campus.
• Intakes: the Graphic & Digital Design page lists February, June and September; each degree page lists September 2026 as the next intake.
• Study mode: apart from Game Design, the degree pages above list on campus or online.
• Each area also has a diploma that can lead into the bachelor's. We didn't read the fashion courses (Fashion Marketing, Fashion & Sustainability).

2. Portfolio and interview

• Local Year 12 applicants: the degree pages ask for a creative submission or portfolio relevant to the course and a successful entry conversation with a Future Student Advisor; the Creative Submission Guide explains what to include.
• International students: the international students page and the degree pages list age, a senior secondary qualification and English, and say applicants might have to attend an interview, with no portfolio listed. The application steps mention booking an interview and/or audition. Ask the international team whether you need to submit work.
• Collarts says none of its courses require an ATAR, and there are no subject or score prerequisites.

3. International entry requirements

• Age: at least 18 at course commencement.
• Qualification: a senior secondary school certificate equivalent to Australian Year 12.
• English: IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 6.0 (6.5 for Entertainment Journalism). You can also use English results from some countries' secondary certificates, A Levels or the IB, or an English course at a pathway provider.
• Documents: certified transcripts and high school certificate (translated if needed), English results or other evidence, a certified passport copy, a current visa if applicable, and meeting the Genuine Student criteria.
• Chinese and Canadian qualifications: Collarts only says "equivalent to Australian Year 12", so how a Chinese senior high school certificate, the Gaokao or a Canadian provincial diploma (including BC) is assessed is not published. Which countries' school English results count, and at what level, isn't listed either; Collarts suggests emailing international admissions.

4. Application steps and timeline

1. Apply online with the Apply Now button; the international team contacts you.
2. Prepare and submit the requested documents.
3. Book and attend an interview and/or audition.
4. If successful, receive a Letter of Offer.
5. Return the signed Student Agreement and pay the invoice.
6. Receive your eCoE, buy OSHC, then apply for your student visa.

• February 2027 (key dates page): direct applications close 12 February 2027; orientation starts 8 February, classes start 15 February, census date 5 March.
• September 2026: applications are open; orientation 14 September, classes 21 September.
• The international students page still shows 2026 dates; dates for June and September 2027 aren't published yet.
• Application fee: not mentioned on the pages we read, so not published.

5. Fees and scholarships

International fees listed on the international students page (with a downloadable 2026 international fee flyer):

• On-campus bachelor: $3,635 per unit; $14,540 per trimester on the two-year accelerated load; $90,875 for the whole bachelor (six or nine full-time trimesters).
• Online bachelor: $3,058 per unit; $73,392 for the whole bachelor.
• The $77,064 shown on the degree pages is the local student fee, not the international price.
• International scholarship: the international students page says up to $12,000 for a bachelor's or $4,000 for a diploma. The scholarships page lists IELTS 7.0 overall (no band below 6.0) or a GPA of 75% or above in previous studies, plus a statement of up to 300 words; it's only open to applicants from specific regions (not named), and recipients must keep a credit (65%) average. The type and amount appear in your Letter of Offer and change if you receive RPL credit.
• Other scholarships: the Dean's Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Equity Scholarship on the scholarships page are for full-time domestic new students ("exceptions may apply"); ask Collarts whether international students can apply.

6. Transfers and credit

• Collarts has a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) page, which we didn't read; if you've studied related courses elsewhere, ask about credit when you apply.
• The degree pages say local non-Year 12 applicants can apply with at least half a year of higher education study, a VET certificate or diploma, an international equivalent, or work and life experience; separate requirements for international transfer students aren't listed.

7. Checklists by background

Students at Chinese high schools:

• Be 18 at commencement; prepare a certified senior high school certificate, transcripts and translations, plus IELTS 6.0 (6.0 in each band)
• Book your interview and ask the international team whether to bring work
• For February 2027, complete your direct application by 12 February

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• You apply with a certificate equivalent to Australian Year 12; BC score requirements aren't published
• Ask whether Canadian high school English results can replace IELTS
• Photography and Game Design are Melbourne only; the other degrees run in Melbourne and Sydney

Transfer students:

• Submit transcripts from your previous school and ask about RPL
• Any scholarship amount is adjusted if you receive credit

Sources: Collarts (Australian College of the Arts), International students; Graphic & Digital Design courses; Bachelor of Graphic & Digital Design; Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design); Bachelor of Photography; Bachelor of 2D Animation; Bachelor of Game Design; Key dates; Scholarships. Intake dates are for 2026–2027 and international fees are the 2026 figures; check Collarts for the latest details.