Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation)
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 1 locations
- North Sydney
- North Sydney
- Duration
- 1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
A limited number of Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarships are available for this course, each valued between $24,000 to $48,000. The closing date for this degree is Thursday 19 June, 2025. Apply now.
Overview
Deepen and broaden your knowledge and expertise of Western culture within a structured and integrated humanities masters-level course. Centred on a ‘great books’ or ‘canonical’ approach to the study of Western culture, studying this course will help you to develop a transnational, interdisciplinary and historically grounded perspective to the literature, music, philosophy and works of art that have achieved the status of ‘classics' within the Western world.
You will study major works of history, literature, philosophy, and art and be guided in small group seminar-style discussions by academic staff with wide-ranging, interdisciplinary expertise.
Thanks to the generous provision of a Philanthropic Agreement between ACU and the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, up to ten (10) master's scholarships are available for eligible students undertaking this degree annually, valued at $48,000 ($32,000 per year for 1.5 years when studying full time). Students eligible for a scholarship will be selected by a committee comprising senior ACU and Ramsay Centre staff.
Apply now for the Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation) or register your interest and our AskACU team will get in touch with more information.
Limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available.
Discover ACU's Western Civilisation Program.
Careers
The Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation) gives you skills that can be applied in any industry including:
• secondary and tertiary education
• commerce and business administration
• management
• research assistance
• journalism
• politics and public policy
• public service in government and non-government organisations.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation), a student must complete 120 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the following requirements may exit from the course with that qualification.
- Graduate Certificate in Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation): 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.
- Graduate Diploma in Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation): 80 Credit Points from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.
Entry requirements
Applicants must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
- Equivalent of an Australian bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; OR
- A Graduate Certificate in a related discipline; OR
- An Australian bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) AND demonstration of significant work/life experience to satisfy the prerequisite knowledge for this course
Related disciplines
Ancient History, Archaeology, Architecture, Classics, Creative Arts, Drama, Economics, Education, English, Fine Arts, Geography, Law/Legal Studies, Media/Communications, Medieval Studies, Modern History, Modern Languages, Music/Musicology, Philosophy, Politics, International Relations, Psychology, Sociology, Study of Religions, Theological Studies, Visual Arts.
Applicants are also assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:
- Personal statement, or essay,
- Performance at interview, and
- Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
Entry into this course is based on a combination of a written submission (essay), an interview and academic performance. Applicants are assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:
- Submitted essay,
- Performance at interview, and
- Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence.
You will 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, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
English language requirements
Overall score of 6.5. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.
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
Further study
Graduates of this course may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs and/or research higher degree, doctoral programs.
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
ACU is offering Ramsay Scholarships (apply here) to students undertaking this degree, funded by the Ramsay Centre, each valued at up to $48,000 ($32,000 per year for 1.5 years when studying full time). Students eligible for scholarships will be selected by a committee, comprising senior ACU and Ramsay Centre staff.
Applicants who wish to be considered for a scholarship will need to meet the essential requirements for admission to the Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation)
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
- Equivalent of an Australian bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; OR
- A Graduate Certificate in a related discipline; OR
- An Australian bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) AND demonstration of significant work/life experience to satisfy the prerequisite knowledge for this course
and will also be assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:
- Submitted essay,
- Performance at interview, and
- Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence.
Related disciplines
Ancient History, Archaeology, Architecture, Classics, Creative Arts, Drama, Economics, Education, English, Fine Arts, Geography, International Relations, Law/Legal Studies, Media/Communications, Medieval Studies, Modern History, Modern Languages, Music/Musicology, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Study of Religions, Theological Studies, Visual Arts.
Or, 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
Associate Professor Johanna Harris
Postgraduate Course Coordinator, Western Civilisation Program
Johanna Harris is Associate Professor in the Western Civilisation Program (North Sydney) and Postgraduate Course Coordinator. Her teaching and research focus is on the literature, religion, and politics of the early modern period, with particular interest in non-fictional prose, especially letters, manuscript culture, and puritanism. Raised in the Blue Mountains, she graduated from the University of Sydney with BA (Hons), and then went to the University of Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar, from where she graduated with MSt and DPhil in English. Harris’ publications have focused on well-known writers such as Andrew Marvell, Richard Baxter, and Thomas Traherne, and lesser-known writers such as Brilliana Harley and Lucy Robartes. She is also interested in the ethical value of literature, particularly human dignity, bibliotherapy and the medical humanities, and the role of literature in enhancing intergenerational cohesion.