Diploma in Liberal Arts
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 3 locations
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Strathfield
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Strathfield
- Duration
-
1 year full-time
- QTAC code
- 112731
- ATAR
- 50.00 for Brisbane
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
Overview
The Diploma in Liberal Arts provides students from diverse backgrounds with a flexible one-year introduction to tertiary studies. You will have the opportunity to explore ideas and topics from a wide range of disciplines across the humanities and the arts, and the natural and social sciences. Designed to help students develop an agile mind and think critically about the world around them, this course will equip you with in-depth foundational skills and knowledge in a series of units selected from the Schedule of Unit Offerings for the Bachelor of Arts degree subject to campus availability.
In today’s constantly changing economic landscape, the Diploma in Liberal Arts degree will prepare you for a wide choice of careers in areas such as government, industry, business, the creative arts and education.
This Diploma-level course is offered to domestic and international students and normally takes one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study. The Diploma is an award at AQF level 5 – Diploma level. 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.
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).
Course map
Graduate statement
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 2025 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
- Skills for 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
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
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 Sudeep Stephen
Lecturer (Mathematics), School of Arts and Humanities (NSW)
Dr. Sudeep Stephen is a lecturer in mathematics at ACU’s Strathfield campus in Sydney. He completed his PhD in 2018 at the University of Newcastle, specialising in combinatorics and theoretical computer science. He has published extensively in academic journals and conference proceedings.
In 2019, Dr. Stephen was awarded the Australian Mathematical Society’s Lift-Off Fellowship. Prior to joining ACU, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore and later as a lecturer at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Since joining ACU, Dr. Sudeep has coordinated the Bachelor of Arts, Diploma, and Certificate of Liberal Arts programs at the Strathfield campus.