Mix and match: UOW offers Australia's first 'creative combo' degree

Sep 30, 2004

Do you want to be a writer? A composer? A graphic designer? Fortunately there are plenty of courses available for people with creative flair.

But what if you want to be a composer and a graphic designer? There is only one university that offers that opportunity.

The University of Wollongong has introduced the Bachelor of Creative Arts Dean's Scholars program for 2005, catering for artistically and academically excellent students who want the chance to major in two creative areas.

The degree offers a unique opportunity and a special challenge to high achieving students. Above all it's flexible. Students can mix and match and draw on multiple talents and interests.

Students are able to mix programs of study from any two of the major areas within the Bachelor of Creative Arts degree:

*Creative Writing

*Graphic Design & New Media

*Visual Arts

*Performance (Music, Theatre and Production)

*Sound - Composition and Production

Students who achieve high audition/interview attainments in at least two of these areas together with a UAI of 90+ (or equivalent) are eligible for the degree.

Not only does this degree allow students to develop a cross-disciplinary range of knowledge and skills, but it also gives students the chance to work one-on-one with an academic mentor who specialises in their chosen study areas. The Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts oversees the program and has meetings with the scholars each session.

UOW's Dean of Creative Arts, Professor Andrew Schultz, says the degree will better fit students to engage in outstanding and innovative creative work.

"This degree is truly unique. It's designed for potential creative innovators and leaders and we want students to know about it," he says.

"It reflects the holistic environment of the faculty. We recognise that there are exceptionally gifted students out there with the potential to mould and interweave their different talents.

"We don't ask students to pick their strength and then force them into one path of study. Instead, we ask them to choose two areas, giving them a chance to individualise their own degree."

Scholars must maintain a Distinction (75%) grade point average to remain in the program. The degree is offered to single degree students and admission is on the basis of application and interview.

Deans Scholars applications close Friday October 29 and auditions/interviews will be conducted from November 22 - December 3, 2004.

Application forms (separate from UAC forms) may be obtained from:

UniAdvice: 1300 367 869

Faculty of Creative Arts Office: 02 4221 3996

For further information contact: Mary Street: 02 4221 4621

-RP

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128