Bachelor of Arts

An arts degree is the ideal preparation for today's fast-changing world.

You'll develop specific skills for your chosen career, along with research, writing and communication expertise, which are essential in a broad range of work environments.

Turn your passion into your career by selecting units of personal interest.

Bachelor of Arts students complete one or two majors, which will be listed on your qualification.

VU specialises in these areas, with expert lecturers and current course content:

Communication Studies Digital Media History Literary Studies Psychology Sociology Visual Art Writing.

This course offers maximum flexibility if you are undecided about career choice.

It lets you combine units from different areas to create a base of knowledge that you can to draw on when applying for work in various fields.

Our Bachelor of Arts is distinctive for its focus on academic disciplines that are engaged with the workplace and community.

You'll benefit from our strong network of community and industry partners, and practical and workplace learning.

We have a dedicated discipline minor Aboriginal Yulendj (Knowledge) and Community that will give you knowledge needed for working with Aboriginal communities.

Opportunities for applied learning include:

digital media labs psychology labs studio spaces (music, TV and radio) exhibitions and public presentations in our community space, VU at MetroWest publications such as the student-produced Offset creative arts journal.

To attain the Bachelor of Arts students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

• 96 credit points of Core studies
• 96 credit points of Major 1

And select either:

• 96 credit points of Major 2
• 2 x 48 credit points Minor studies

Note: Students intending to select 'Psychology' as their Major undertake APP1012 Psychology 1A, APP1013 Psychology 1B, in their first year of study instead of ABA1004 Text and Representation and ABA1005 The Era of Controversy.

Course structure and units

First Year Core units

• Academic Discourse and Experience Unit code ABA1000 Credits12
• Reason and Revolution Unit code ABA1001 Credits12
• Knowledge, Inquiry and Research Unit code ABA1002 Credits12
• Introduction to Sociology Unit code ABA1003 Credits12
• Text and Representation Unit code ABA1004 Credits12
• The Era of Controversy Unit code ABA1005 Credits12
• Creativity, Communication and the Digital Age Unit code ACU1002 Credits12
• Aboriginal History and Political Movements Unit code AEK1204 Credits12

First Year Core units for students undertaking Psychology Major:

• Academic Discourse and Experience Unit code ABA1000 Credits12
• Reason and Revolution Unit code ABA1001 Credits12
• Knowledge, Inquiry and Research Unit code ABA1002 Credits12
• Introduction to Sociology Unit code ABA1003 Credits12
• Creativity, Communication and the Digital Age Unit code ACU1002 Credits12
• Aboriginal History and Political Movements Unit code AEK1204 Credits12
• Psychology 1A Unit code APP1012 Credits12
• Psychology 1B Unit code APP1013 Credits12

Majors

• Gender Studies Unit code AMAGEN
• Literary Studies Unit code AMALIT
• Political Science Unit code AMAPOL
• Sociology Unit code AMASLY
• History Unit code AMAHIS
• Visual Art Unit code AMAVSU
• Communication Studies Unit code AMACOM
• Writing Unit code AMARIT
• Psychology Unit code AMAPSY
• Digital Media Unit code AMADIG

Minors

• Writing Unit code AMIWRI
• Gender Studies Unit code AMIGEN
• Digital Media Unit code AMIDIG
• Literary Studies Unit code AMILIT
• Psychology Unit code AMIPSY
• History Unit code AMIHIS
• International Development Unit code AMIINT
• Popular Music Studies Unit code AMIPOP
• Political Science Unit code AMIPOL
• Professional Communication Unit code AMIPCO
• Sociology Unit code AMISLY
• Visual Art Unit code AMIVSU
• Communication Studies Unit code AMICOM
• Aboriginal Yulendj (Knowledge) and Community Unit code EMIAGL
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset Unit code AMITEM

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

• Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
• an Australian or overseas equivalent or
• an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts or similar.OR:Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Pathways from other institutions

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Sports Education and Development Australia (SEDA)

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: