Bachelor of Arts
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 4 locations
- Study mode
- Multi-mode
- Duration
-
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.
2.5 years full-time in accelerated mode.
- UAC code
- 103314
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Blacktown
- Fees (first year)*
$15136 CSP
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
An accelerated option is available for this course. By studying some units in summer and winter professional terms this course gives you the flexibility to accelerate and complete your degree in 2.5 years.
Overview
In a rapidly changing world, a Bachelor of Arts from ACU prepares you for the challenges of the future. Our course is designed to produce graduates who will think outside the box and thrive in the modern workplace. As you follow your passions, you will receive a world-class education and develop highly valued skills that are at the heart of the new economy: creative thinking, problem-solving, communication, and critical analysis.
This course offers the choice of more than 20 majors and minors in humanities, social sciences, archaeology, psychology, and visual and creative arts. The full list of majors and minors can be viewed on the website.
You will also have opportunities to join our exciting overseas study experiences in locations such as New York and Rome.
An honours program is available to students who have excelled during their previous three years of study. You will build your expertise in your chosen major area of study by completing an independent research or creative project.
This degree can also be used as a pathway into a Master of Teaching.
Professional experience
Our Bachelor of Arts encourages you to think big and to take advantage of community engagement placements and internships that provide invaluable professional experiences while you study.
Bachelor of Arts students have the choice of completing either a community engagement placement unit (50 – 70 hours) or a social enterprise and innovation unit.
Volunteer experience
Students undertake a degree capstone drawn from either:
- HUMA330 Community Engagement: Placement or
- HUMA331 Big Ideas: Social Enterprise and Innovation
HUMA330 provides students with a community engagement placement of up to 70 hours with an organisation relevant to their disciplinary study.
HUMA331 provides students with the opportunity to engage the community by working to propose a solution to a real-world problem.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- government and non-government organisations
- policy development
- community development
- consulting and public relations
- social and cultural research
- primary, secondary and higher education
- media and communications
- publishing and journalism
- humanitarian services
- conservation and museums
- creative industries
Industry partnerships
Our degrees in arts, humanities and social sciences will give you the tools to confidently step into the job market. You can volunteer at a not- for-profit organisation to build on-the-job skills, or be a part of the Big Idea – a social enterprise competition to provide innovative ideas to help homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged Australians. Some of our students have volunteered or taken placements at:
- Museum Victoria
- Victorian Department of Parliamentary Services
- The Big Issue
- City councils
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Available Major(s)
Available Minor(s)- Archaeology
- Business Studies
- Communication
- Community Services
- Creative Writing
- Drama
- Digital Technologies (Computing)
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Geography, Environment and Society
- Global Studies
- Graphic Design
- History
- Healthy Development
- International Development Studies
- Languages
- Legal Studies
- Mathematics
- Media
- Music
- Philosophy
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Study of Religions
- Theological Studies
- Veterans Arts Minor
- Visual Arts
- Youth Work
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | Major 1 – Unit 1 100-level | Minor 1 – Unit 1 100-level | Inquire unit HUMA114 Scandals and Deception: Navigating Controversy | Connect unit HUMA115 Connect with Diversity: Who Am I and Who Are We? | |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | Major 1 – Unit 2 100/200-level | Minor 1 – Unit 2 100/200-level | Create unit HUMA116 Imagining Place: Multimedia, Storytelling, Moving Images | Core Curriculum unit 1 UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society or PHCC102 Being Human or PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life | |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | Major 1 – Unit 3 200-level | Minor 1 – Unit 3 200-level | Minor 2 - Unit 1 100- level | BA Elective | |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | Major 1 – Unit 4 200-level | Minor 1 – Unit 4 200/300-level | Minor – Unit 2 100/200-level | BA Elective | |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | Major 1 – Unit 5 300-level | Major 1 – Unit 6 200-level | Minor 2 – Unit 3 200-level | Core Curriculum unit 2 UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World or PHCC320 The Just Society OR HUMA330 Community Engagement: Placement OR HUMA330 Community Engagement: Placement * *Students choose either HUMA330 or HUMA331 | |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | Major 1- Unit 7 300-level | Major 1- Unit 8 200-level | Minor 2 – Unit 4 200/300-level | Core Curriculum unit 2 UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World or PHCC320 The Just Society OR HUMA331 Big Ideas: Social Enterprise and Innovation * *Students choose either HUMA330 or HUMA331 |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
Students commencing in Semester 1 2023 - 1 Major and 2 Minors
AQF framework
Exit Points
Students who have met the requirements of the Diploma in Liberal Arts can exit with that award.
Overseas study available
You'll have the option to study a range of units on campus or overseas during summer and winter breaks, in addition to our regular semester offerings.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
International applicants must meet the English Language Requirements as defined in the Admissions to Coursework Programs Policy .
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | Assumed knowledge: 2 units of English (any) (Band 3), Mathematics (other than Mathematics General 2) for study in Mathematics (Band 3) |
Queensland | Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Victoria | Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English. Prerequisite for study in Mathematics: Units 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with ACU College, TAFE, and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
English language requirements
Overall score of 6.0. Individual score of 6.0 in writing and speaking, and 5.5 in listening and reading.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) , or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Articulation from another course:
Further study
Bachelor of Arts graduates are well-placed to continue their studies in Arts Honours programs or in a range of postgraduate disciplines through their demonstrable research, analytical and communication skills gained from this undergraduate program.
Fees
Course costs
$15136 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Benjamin Moffit
Senior Lecturer, Politics and International Relations, National School of Arts and Humanities, Victoria
Dr Benjamin Moffit’s research is located at the intersection of comparative politics, contemporary political theory and political communications, and focuses on populism across the globe. Prior to joining ACU in 2018, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Uppsala University and Stockholm University, Sweden. He received his PhD from the University of Sydney in 2014, and his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Wollongong. Dr Moffitt is a frequent commentator on populism in the Australian and international press and he is the author of three books on this topic. In 2018, he was named one of the Top Five Humanities and Social Sciences Early Career Researchers in Australia by the ABC. His work has appeared in outlets such as The Economist, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg News, The Conversation, and on the ABC and BBC World Service.
Dr Rachel Busbridge
Lecturer in Sociology, National School of Arts and Humanities, Victoria
Dr Rachel Busbridge is one of ACU’s Sociology Lecturers based at the St Patrick’s campus in Melbourne. Since receiving her PhD in 2010, Dr Busbridge has taught sociology and politics in many educational institutions; her specialised research areas of interest being diversity, multiculturalism, as well as nationalism. Furthermore, she is a member of the Australian Sociological Association and the International Sociological Association.
Dr Busbridge has published many academic papers such as journal articles and books. Her most recent publications include “A multicultural success story? Australian integration in comparative focus” in the Journal of Sociology, as well as a book entitled “Multicultural politics of recognition and postcolonial citizenship: Rethinking the nation.”
Since being employed at ACU, Dr Busbridge has been the National Lecturer in Charge (NLIC) for 3 units in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Testimonial
“I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to take part in ACU’s Scholar’s program. The program offered students the chance to develop their own undergraduate research project, culminating in an undergraduate thesis. It was a huge challenge and it really pushed my classmates and I but it was fantastic. It gave all of us a great insight into what research is like, it presented us with so many new ideas about how our work can have a real impact, and it gave us all the opportunity to become good friends.”