What is natural history?
Natural history is the study of natural objects and in this program involves the study and visual depiction of Australia's unique flora, fauna and diverse habitats.

What electives are available?
The program allows for 40 units of open electives and students are encouraged to select electives that inform their individual area of interest. Common elective courses undertaken include those from Fine Art, Design, the life sciences including Australian Flora, Australian Fauna and Geology. Creative writing is also a popular elective choice for those students environmental education, publishing and as freelance illustrators. You can find out more information about the broad range of interesting careers available to Natural History Illustration graduates at Career Opportunities.

Do I need to submit a portfolio to get into the degree?
No. Entry to the Bachelor of Natural History Illustration is through application to the University Admissions Centre (UAC) and there are no additional portfolio requirements for this program. However, students wishing to apply for the standalone Honours year will generally need to demonstrate proficiency in drawing. In some circumstances, this may include presentation of a portfolio. Contact us for more information.

What kind of practical work will I be doing?
You will be undertaking both field studies and studio studies over the course of your degree program. Field studies will require you to observe flora and fauna in their natural environment, and in past years this component has involved field trips to Barrington Tops and Myall Lakes National Parks as well as local habitats such as the Hunter Wetlands, Awabakal Nature Reserve and Kooragang Island. View our field trip photogallery to see what sorts of camps and trips you will be taking. While your studio studies will cover the theoretical basis of natural history illustration, you will also learn practical drawing, traditional and digital illustration techniques and photography in these sessions.

Where can I see examples of student work?
Student work is exhibited throughout the year in venues at the University of Newcastle and during November each year at Eden Gardens in Sydney. A gallery of student work showing examples of various techniques and subject matter is also available on this web site.