How to Apply to Art and Design at Curtin University: Five Bachelor of Design Majors, Fine Art in the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Animation and Games in Digital and Creative Industries, No Folio for International Applicants, and Requirements for Students in China, Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Curtin University is in Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Its art and design degrees are taught at the Perth campus across three degrees: the Bachelor of Design, the Bachelor of Creative Arts and the Bachelor of Digital and Creative Industries. This guide covers 2027 entry, based on the international view of Curtin’s course pages, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The degrees

• Bachelor of Design (B-DESIGN): three years, CRICOS 098137F, February and July intakes. You choose a design major, add a different design specialisation, then complete the rest of the structure. Five majors: Advertising and Design, Design Innovation and Fabrication, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Photography. The final year includes an interdisciplinary capstone.
• Bachelor of Creative Arts (B-CRARTS): three years, CRICOS 0100633, Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes. Three majors: Fine Art, Screen Arts and Theatre Arts, each ending in a capstone (an exhibition, performance or screen project).
• Fine Art major: the first two years are studio-based (drawing, painting, print media, sculpture, installation and new media); the final year is self-directed, with the chance to show work at the annual graduate show. Curtin appoints a different artist-in-residence each semester. Fine Art is also available as a major in the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Commerce.
• Bachelor of Digital and Creative Industries (B-DIGCI): three years, CRICOS 118501K, on campus only. Three majors: Animation, Visual Effects and Virtual Production; Game Design and Art; and Immersive User Experience Design. The page lists Semester 1 and Semester 2 but says intake periods depend on the major, so check before applying.

2. Do you need a folio?

• Not for international applicants: the international entry requirements on all three course pages are an ATAR or recognised overseas equivalent, course-specific requirements and English. The course-specific section lists essential subjects “None” and desirable subjects “None”; no folio, interview or selection task is listed.
• “Portfolio entry” is something else: it is a Curtin entry pathway for Western Australian school leavers (WACE or equivalent) and non-school leavers, who show their suitability through results and experience; some courses ask for a visual portfolio or essay as part of it. It is not a folio requirement for international art and design applicants.

3. Entry: students at high schools in China

• Overall: all three degrees have a guaranteed ATAR of 70 or equivalent overseas qualification, with no prerequisites.
• Equivalents on the course pages: A-level best three subjects 5 points (A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1); IB Diploma 24; HKDSE 15.
• Gaokao and Gao San: the course pages have a country lookup that includes China, but the results load dynamically and we could not read them, so the score is not published here. Use “Academic equivalences” on the course page and select China, or ask Curtin international admissions.
• AP: not published; US-curriculum students should select “US” in the lookup or ask Curtin.

4. Entry: students at Canadian high schools

• Canadian provincial high school diplomas (including BC): 60% for all three degrees. Curtin does not say which BC courses are counted; ask Curtin.
• English: a Canadian (non-Quebec) high school diploma with at least 60% in final-year English meets the English requirement.
• IB or A-level in Canada: the same scores apply (IB 24, A-level 5 points).

5. English

• IELTS: all three course pages ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band.
• Other tests (minimums on the English requirements page): PTE 58; TOEFL iBT 81; the new TOEFL (1–6 scale) 4.5 overall. Tests must be taken within two years before applying and cannot be combined.
• School qualifications: an English A-level at E or above; an IB English subject at 4 or above; AP English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition at 3 or above.
• If you fall short: package a Curtin English course with your degree.

6. Transfer and credit

• Credit for recognised learning (CRL): admissions assesses credit from prior university or vocational study when you apply, and the result appears in your offer. International applicants can opt out. After an offer you can apply for more (or first-time) credit with course outlines, transcripts and certificates. Check the Curtin Handbook for each degree’s credit rules.
• Applying with university study: if your overseas school qualification is not on Curtin’s list, at least one year of full-time study at a recognised overseas university may still qualify you.
• English: at least one year of full-time study at a recognised university in Canada, the US, Singapore or South Africa meets the English requirement.

7. Fees and scholarships

• Fees (2027 international, first year at 200 credits):
  • Bachelor of Design: about AU$37,652 in year one, about AU$112,956 in total.
  • Bachelor of Creative Arts: about AU$41,018 in year one, about AU$123,054 in total.
  • Bachelor of Digital and Creative Industries: about AU$41,140 in year one, about AU$123,420 in total.
  Fees are reviewed annually and may rise; they exclude administrative and incidental costs such as art supplies, and textbooks.
• Three international scholarships (listed on each course page; for self-funded international students starting at a Western Australian campus from 2027, assessed automatically when you apply):
  • John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship: 40% off tuition for up to four years of a bachelor degree; requires a weighted average of 95% or equivalent in your most recent study, and 70% or above from the second semester;
  • Merit Scholarship: 20% off tuition for up to four years; requires a Distinction-level result or equivalent;
  • Global Future Leaders Scholarship: a one-off AU$10,000 tuition credit; requires a Credit-level result or equivalent and at least one and a half years of study at a Western Australian campus.
• Note: Curtin does not publish how Gaokao, A-level, IB or Canadian results map to these levels; admissions decides.

8. Timeline (2027 entry, Perth)

• Semester 1 (February): international applications close 28 January 2027.
• Semester 2 (July): close 1 July 2027.
• Deadlines are also affected by visa processing times and by packaging a Curtin English course, so apply early.
• How to apply: through a registered Curtin agent or directly online (depending on your country). Student visa holders must study full-time on campus.

9. Key points for each group

Students at high schools in China (Gaokao, A-level, IB, AP):

• A-level best three 5 points or IB 24; check the Gaokao and AP equivalents with the course page lookup or Curtin international admissions
• No folio; IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band)
• Semester 1 closes 28 January 2027; scholarships are assessed automatically

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

• Provincial diploma at 60%; 60% or more in final-year English meets the English requirement
• For Digital and Creative Industries, confirm the intake for your chosen major

Transfer students:

• Credit is assessed when you apply; a year of full-time university study can support your application
• A year at a recognised university in Canada or the US meets the English requirement

Sources: Curtin University, Bachelor of Design; Bachelor of Creative Arts; Fine Art major; Bachelor of Digital and Creative Industries; Undergraduate design and digital creative industries; Portfolio entry; English language requirements; Credit for recognised learning; International scholarships. Information is for 2027 entry. Check Curtin for the latest details.