Bachelor of Arts (Extended)

The Bachelor of Arts (Extended) is a four year program.

The course facilitates a supported transition to University through the provision of an additional study year specifically designed to develop the academic skills required for success at University.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will access specialised academic support through foundation studies in key areas such as academic literacy, communication and performance, literature, philosophy and environmental studies.

These subjects will be taught by the Trinity College Foundation Studies program in co-operation with staff from the Faculty of Arts.

In addition, students will be supported through the Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development, as well as living in one of the colleges affiliated with the University of Melbourne.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Arts (Extended) requires the successful completion of 400 points (32 x 12.5 credit point subjects) comprising of the following:

Entry requirements

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

• completed VCE with an ATAR of 50 or above, or equivalent; and
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• academic capacity and potential for leadership in the community, assessed by interview and by referee reports.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance;
• the interview and referee reports.

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.

Note: Non-school leavers, mature age students and alternative pathway applications will be considered.

Successful students will be selected on their likelihood to succeed in the Bachelor of Arts. Qualifications will be assessed on application.

Applications can be made through VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions centre) . Applicants must complete and submit a supplementary application form to the University of Melbourne when applying for this course. Applicants can submit a direct application to the University, however, direct applications will only be considered after the VTAC offers have closed.

There are two intakes in the Bachelor of Arts (Extended) each year, January and June.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The inherent academic requirements for study in the Bachelor of Arts (Extended) 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 (Extended) 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 (Ext) 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.