Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts offers unique flexibility with the opportunity to focus on one or two majors or a major and a minor chosen from a broad range of programs in the humanities, social sciences and languages.

Students can:Benefit from studying with high achieving local and international students and learn from internationally recognised scholars and industry professionals;Study one or more languages with most areas available from beginners to advanced level;Create pathways into further postgraduate study in vocationally focused coursework masters programs and, with the completion of an Honours year, entry into research higher degrees;Undertake specialised fieldwork, research options and integrated internship and volunteering programs which provide opportunities for professional work experience and community engagement;Enjoy a rewarding professional career, with University of Melbourne Bachelor of Arts graduates enjoying employment rates well above the national Arts average;Undertake international exchange study at more than 180 universities worldwide, receiving credit towards your Bachelor of Arts degree;Create an individual study program by undertaking breadth studies in areas such as bioscience, commerce, environments, music and science or by choosing University breadth subjects.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Arts requires the successful completion of 24 subjects. Each subject is equivalent to 12.5 credit points or multiples thereof.

18 Arts subjects (225 credit points)

Four Breadth subjects (50 credit points)

Two Arts or Breadth subjects (25 credit points)

Compulsory Requirements

• Students must complete one major and subject selection must meet the requirements of that major (eight subjects / 100 credit points across levels 1, 2, and 3).
• One Arts Foundation Subject (12.5 credit points) completed in the first 100 credit points of the course. *
• One Capstone subject at level 3 in non-language disciplines.*
• A maximum of ten subjects (125 points) can be completed at level 1
• A maximum of ten subjects (125 points) can be completed in one discipline
• At least four Breadth subjects (50 credit points).

*Note: Arts Foundation credit points can only count towards one major. Capstone subjects are only available to students who are undertaking a major in that discipline.

Arts subjects : Core and Elective (225 credit points)

• At least six subjects (75 credit points) at level 1, one Arts Foundation Subject
• At least six subjects (75 credit points) at level 2
• At least six subjects (75 credit points) at level 3

See the Progression Rule for sequencing of subjects.

Breadth subjects (50 credit points)

• At least one breadth subject (12.5 credit points) but no more than three breadth subjects (37.5 credit points) at level 1
• At least one breadth subject (12.5 credit points) at level 2 or 3.

Arts or Breadth subjects (25 credit points)

• Two subjects (25 credit points) of Arts elective subjects at levels 1, 2 or 3

Or

• Two breadth subjects (25 credit points) at levels 2 or 3.

Progression Rule

Students must complete a minimum of four subjects (50 credit points) at each year level before enrolling for subjects in the next year level. For example, complete 50 credit points of level 1 subjects before enrolling in level 2 subjects, and 50 credit points of level 2 subjects before enrolling in level 3.

Note that progression and credit point rules apply to every major and minor; subjects must include enrolments across levels 1, 2 and 3, and include any specified core / compulsory subjects.

For policies that govern this degree, see the Courses, Subjects, Awards and Programs Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Library. Students also should also refer to information in the Enrolment and Timetabling Policy.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed one of:

(a) the Victorian Certificate of Education including; VCE Units 3 and 4 either a study score of at least 25 in English/English Language/Literature or a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language;

(b) the International Baccalaureate Diploma including at least Grade 4 in English or English B (Standard Level or Higher Level);

(c) a senior secondary program, foundation studies program or equivalent approved by Academic Board including appropriate English language studies. Except for applicants eligible for Access Melbourne minimum ATAR or equivalent overall performance rankings apply.

Meeting requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider prior academic performance.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board Rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. For applications who have not completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, undergraduate English language requirements must be met.

Note. For applications through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre “middle band” selection adjustments are made only on the basis of eligibility for Access Melbourne.

Applicants intending to major in Economics are advised that mathematic requirements apply for this major: at least 25 in VCE Units 3 and 4 in IB Mathematics (Standard Level or Higher Level) or equivalent; VCE Further Mathematics or IB Mathematical Studies are not sufficient.

For information on admissions please visit: www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The inherent academic requirements for study in the Bachelor of Arts are:

• the ability to attend classes and actively engage in both independent and group learning;
• the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and interdisciplinary information related to the courses taught in the faculty;
• the ability to explain and evaluate complex concepts, theories and issues at work in a variety of texts;
• the ability to clearly communicate a knowledge and application of humanities, social sciences and language principles and practices during assessment tasks.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. They must take full responsibility for their own participation and learning and adhere to the expectations outlined in the Student Charter.

Students also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative environments and must therefore demonstrate a wide range of interpersonal skills which consider the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in the BA.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities. Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Disability Liaison. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability; however, students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

Intended learning outcomes

BA graduates:

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in core disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and languages;
• Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within complex changing social contexts.
• Demonstrate a general understanding of the concepts and principles of selected areas of study outside core disciplines of the humanities, social sciences and languages;
• Apply an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
• Articulate the relationship between diverse forms of knowledge and the social, historical and cultural contexts that produced them;
• Communicate effectively and, in the case of those students undertaking a language major, read, write, listen to and speak another language with fluency and appreciate its cultural context;
• Act as informed and critically discerning participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force;
• Work effectively in groups to meet a shared goal with people whose disciplinary and cultural backgrounds differ from their own;
• Work with independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in the workplace and personal life.