FAQs
1. What is an Associate Degree?
An Associate Degree is a nationally recognised undergraduate qualification which sits at Level 6 in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Graduates from an Associate Degree will have a broad knowledge and skills to undertake paraprofessional, highly skilled work and/or as a pathway to further learning. For further information about Associate Degrees please refer to the AQF website.
Accordingly, the Associate Degree in Creative Industries offers students the opportunity to develop relevant business management knowledge and communication skills, grounding them in a practical application of the practice and business of the creative industries, whilst exploring issues facing creative industry practitioners today.
2. What is Creative Industries?
Creative industries refer to the broad range of enterprise activities that contain a substantial element of artistic or creative endeavour. These industries combine the creation, production and commercialisation of content which are artistic in nature, typically protected by copyright and usually take the form of a good or a service. The seven creative industry sectors addressed in this course include:
- Interactive and Digital Design
- Music and Performing Arts
- Film, Television and Radio
- Writing and Publishing
- Advertising and Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Visual Arts
3. Why should I choose this degree?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is the only one of its kind in Australia and has been developed to address the skills gap found between vocational artist training and the management of creative enterprise. The Associate Degree in Creative Industries combines key units from the University of Western Sydney's School of Business, Law and Humanities and Communication Arts to enhance your entrepreneurial abilities and give you the knowledge and skills to innovate, collaborate and succeed in all aspects of creative business management. New units in project management and event delivery created specifically for this degree will provide you with industry-based practical experience where you will also make valuable industry contacts towards future placements and projects.
4. How many places are available in the degree?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries will offer up to 30 places per intake at both the Nirimba and Westmead campuses.
5. How will the degree be delivered and who will be teaching it?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries will be delivered through on-campus, off-site and online lectures and tutorials by staff from the University of Western Sydney and UWSCollege and relevant creative industry practitioners.
6. Where will the degree be delivered?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is delivered at our primary campus UWSCollege Nirimba (Blacktown), which is located on Eastern Road, Quakers Hill, and at the UWSCollege Westmead campus, which is located on Hawkesbury Road, Westmead. Industry-based requirements for units within the degree may also be delivered at the venues of key creative industry partners across Sydney.
7. Can I do this degree part-time?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries will be offered in both full-time and part-time modes at both Nirimba and Westmead campuses from February 2013. Full-time mode is a minimum of three (3) units and a maximum of four (4) units per session and equates to approximately 9–12 contact hours per week. Part-time mode is a minimum of one (1) unit and a maximum of two (2) units per session and equates to approximately 3–6 contact hours per week.
8. Will I still be able to work while studying this degree?
It is understood that applicants for the Associate Degree in Creative Industries will be creative industries professionals who may wish to continue working while they study. The study timetable has been designed with this in mind and students will be able to choose the campus and timetable that best suits their professional needs. The course units will be delivered at the following times across the Nirimba and Westmead campuses:
- all day Monday (10.00 am to 5.00 pm)
- Tuesday afternoon and/or evening (2.00 pm to 5.00 pm and 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm)
- Wednesday afternoon and/or evening (2.00 pm to 5.00 pm and 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm).
9. Are there any upfront fees that I need to pay?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is Commonwealth Government Supported, which means that the majority of your fees are paid by the Australian Government. You are required to pay the remainder, which is called your Student Contribution. As this is a Commonwealth Government Supported course, the Student Contribution is covered by the HECS-HELP scheme if you are eligible.
To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian Citizen; or a Permanent Resident; or a New Zealand citizen who will be resident in Australia for the duration of your unit of study; or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa; or the holder of a permanent visa who will be resident in Australia for the duration of your unit of study. Note: New Zealand Citizens and Permanent residents other than those holding a permanent humanitarian visa must pay their student contribution in full up front by the census date for each teaching period they are enrolled. Find out more about your Student Contribution and fees.
10. Is this degree open to international students?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is only available to Australian residents.
11. Do you offer financial assistance for this degree?
Students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Creative Industries may be eligible to receive AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY whilst undertaking this degree. To determine your eligibility and for more information, visit the Centrelink website.
12. When does the degree commence?
Classes for the February intake commenced Monday 25 February 2013.
13. Can I use this degree to go onto further study with UWS?
Graduates of the Associate Degree in Creative Industries can apply to receive advanced standing towards a bachelor degree at UWS. In particular the Associate Degree in Creative Industries includes a number of units from both the Bachelor of Business and Commerce and the Bachelor of Communication Arts.
14. I already hold a Bachelor degree, so why should I do this course?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is a nationally recognised qualification in management of creative industries. If you have undertaken vocational training and already hold a Bachelor degree, the Associate Degree in Creative Industries serves as an adjunct qualification and a professional supplement to your creative qualification.
Application Questions
1. What qualifications do I need to have to be eligible for this degree?
Applicants are eligible for admission if they have:
- completed the NSW HSC and attained the required ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), or
- completed other equivalent qualifications such as a recognised Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, or
- can demonstrate extensive professional vocational experience and attained the required entrance standard set for the course. This experience can include bridging and preparatory courses, paraprofessional (internship, secondment) and other post-secondary qualifications.
Creative industries fields include:
- Interactive and Digital Design
- Music and Performing Arts
- Film, Television and Radio
- Writing and Publishing
- Advertising and Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Visual Arts.
2. What is Industry experience?
Industry experience includes any work that you have undertaken in the creative industries including vocational internship or secondment with a corresponding creative industry company or organisation, and paraprofessional or professional engagement in a creative endeavour or event within your specified creative industry field.
3. How do I apply for this degree?
To register your interest in the course, please go to the Contact page.
For further information about the course, please contact Peta Downes, Coordinator – Creative Industries on (02) 9852 4216 or email p.downes@uws.edu.au.
4. What do I need to include in my application?
You must submit:
- curriculum vitae/resume, outlining all professional and paraprofessional (independent, internship, secondment) work undertaken by you to the equivalent of three years of experience (maximum two pages)
- evidence of your work in the form of a sample portfolio. The portfolio should include examples of artwork, campaign material, event posters (naming the applicant), reviews, media coverage, photographs and footage
- two letters of reference, written and signed by a recognised creative industry professional or an individual from a recognised professional creative industry organisation on company letterhead
- certified academic transcript of all non-UWS studies
- proof of change of name if your qualifications are in a name other than the name under which you are applying
- proof of English language proficiency if your studies were taken in a language other than English.
5. When do applications close?
To register your interest in the course, please go to the Contact page.
For further information about the course, please contact Peta Downes, Coordinator – Creative Industries on (02) 9852 4216 or email p.downes@uws.edu.au.
6. How will I know if my application has been successful?
To register your interest in the course, please go to the Contact page.
For further information about the course, please contact Peta Downes, Coordinator – Creative Industries on (02) 9852 4216 or email p.downes@uws.edu.au.
7. Can I receive course credit for previous study?
The University of Western Sydney offers Advanced Standing to students who are accepted into the Associate Degree in Creative Industries. Advanced Standing is recognition of prior learning in terms of experience and/or studies. When you apply for Advanced Standing, we will assess your prior learning and may award you Advanced Standing in the course in which you are currently studying in recognition of what you have achieved. For more information on Advanced Standing and how to apply, visit the UWS website. See also TAFE Pathways.
8. What are the dates/sessions I will be enrolled in?
The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is a 1.5 year course, with four full-time study sessions (terms) in total. There are 13 teaching weeks per term plus a one week term break and one week exam period. For those who commenced the Associate Degree in Creative Industries in February 2013, you are enrolled from Term 1, 2013 to Term 1, 2014.
Start: 25 Feb 2013
Break: 29 March – 7 April 2013
End: 7 June 2013
Term 2 2013
Start: 24 June 2013
Break: 10–18 August 2013
End: 4 October 2013
Term 3 2013
Start: 21 October 2013
Break: 21 December 2013 – 5 January 2014
End: 3 February 2014
Term 1 2014
Start: 24 February 2014
Break: 28 March 2014 – 6 April 2014
End: 6 June 2014