Diploma in Liberal Arts
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 3 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance
- Duration
-
1 year full-time
- ATAR
- N/A
- Fees (first year)*
$13759 CSP
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
Overview

The Diploma in Liberal Arts provides students from diverse backgrounds with a flexible one-year introduction to tertiary studies through the completion of 80 cp of Arts units. Students completing the Diploma may choose their units from a wide range of Arts disciplines, subject to campus availability. For the discipline areas available, refer to the Bachelor of Arts Course Rules (Arts Sequences).
The Diploma in Liberal Arts prepares you for a wide choice of careers in areas such as government, industry, business, the creative arts and education.
It is a Diploma-level course that is offered to domestic and International students. The Diploma in Liberal Arts is offered to International students on a fee-paying basis.It is available to international students as a UniAccess-International program.
A student who successfully completes four or more units in the Diploma in Liberal Arts may be awarded the Non-Award Certificate in Liberal Arts.
The Diploma in Liberal Arts normally takes one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study. The Diploma is an award at AQF level 5 – Diploma level.

Careers
The Diploma in Liberal Arts prepares students for a diverse range of careers in areas such as:
- government
- industry
- journalism
- creative arts
- education
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Diploma in Liberal Arts, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 - Semester 1 | ENGL105 English Language Communication Skills or HIST115 Global History: Six Degrees of Separation or Elective | Elective | Elective | Elective | |
Year 1 - Semester 2 | UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society or PHCC102 Being Human or PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life | HIST106 Australian Indigenous Peoples Past and Present or POLS104 Introduction to International Relations or Elective | Elective | Elective |
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.
International students must take UNCC100 and ENGL105.
Domestic students must take UNCC100 and one of the following three units: HIST115, HIST106 or POLS104.
AQF framework
Exit Points
Students completing the requirements for the Certificate in Liberal Arts may exit with that award.
Additional course information
A student who subsequently gains entry to the Bachelor of Arts may receive academic credit for relevant units (depending on pathway chosen) completed successfully in the Certificate or Diploma in Liberal Arts.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed:
1. Equivalent of year 12 level with the ACU minimum eligibility rank for Diploma programs;
OR
2. Entry via an alternative pathway as approved by ACU.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.
View transparency admission information
English language requirements
Overall score: 6.0. Individual score of 5.5 in all tests.
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 applicants with previous study and/or life experience
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- Work experience – A Selection Rank can be calculated based on your work experience – you need to document all of your experience and provide supporting documentation
Further study
Diploma in Liberal Arts graduates may be eligible to progress their studies in a Bachelor of Arts. International students must meet the ACU English Language Proficiency requirements as defined by the Admission rules to be eligible for consideration into a Bachelor level degree.
Fees
Course costs
$13759 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
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.