Why Bachelor of Arts?
Cultivate your sense of purpose and power with a Bachelor of Arts. You’ll build your own dream degree by choosing from a large range of interests and graduate a flexible change-maker. You’ll build advanced critical thinking, research and writing skills, while engaging with community and industry partners to create professional networks.
An arts degree equips you with in-demand transferable skills and the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries, making you particularly nimble and employable. You’ll graduate with knowledge that is both broad and deep, preparing you for a diverse career across existing and emerging fields, or for further, more advanced study.
Overview
The Bachelor of Arts is the gold standard both nationally and internationally for undergraduate study in the humanities and social sciences. With individuals, communities and societies facing increasingly complex challenges, an arts degree lets you study a broad range of areas to extend your understanding of society and culture.
You’ll study a double major, developing in-depth knowledge in your chosen areas. Develop your skills in critical thinking, research and communication and graduate qualified to contribute to both the public and private sectors.
Contemporary learning experiences across the degree are underpinned by genuine community and industry engagement. Take the opportunity to engage in work placements and experiential learning, so you can explore professional pathways in sectors aligned with your interests.
You’ll be empowered to demonstrate your diverse ways of knowing, being and doing through an inclusive approach throughout your studies.
Key features
Explore your strengths and interests by choosing two core majors. - Enjoy enhanced flexibility with a wide range of elective choices.
- Connect with community and industry through placements, mentoring and hands-on learning experiences.
- Graduate with in-demand skills and knowledge, giving you the freedom to pursue a range of careers.
What you'll learn
This degree is highly flexible and opens a range of versatile career possibilities. You can start with the Bachelor of Arts, but may also select a major from a wide range of specialist disciplines, including:
Aboriginal Studies: Engage thoughtfully with issues that affect Aboriginal people and communities, locally, nationally and globally.
Creative Writing: Explore a range of literary forms and genres, developing skills to respond imaginatively, originally and ethically to the world.
Cultural Studies: Learn about the political, social, historical, and economic effects of different cultures and gain an understanding of how to encourage social change.
English Literature: Develop skills in literary analysis, argumentation and evaluation while engaging with literature from Shakespeare to the present day.
Environmental Management: Build an understanding of the environment and the principles and practice for its management.
History: Discover the past and consider how it has shaped the world today, exploring different time periods and societies from around the globe.
International Development: Build knowledge of the policies, strategies and actions designed to reduce poverty, inequality and exclusion in the Global South.
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics: Explore how language is implicated in key challenges facing individuals, communities and organisations, developing a deep understanding of human language and its role in human experience.
Politics: Develop the knowledge and skills essential to engage in civic life, analyse political events and contribute to informed decision-making.
Screen Studies: Study a range of techniques used across film texts and industries while considering the contextual dynamics that inform their production and reception.
Sociology: Build knowledge and competency in sociological research approaches and prepare to think and act ethically, compassionately, and creatively in a diverse and changing world.
By studying Common Core courses throughout your degree, you’ll develop the skills employers value and graduate digitally literate with the ability to collaborate, problem-solve and think creatively. You can also add a second major to your Bachelor of Arts, and pursue two areas of interest to boost your employment prospects.
An internship in your final year will enable you to apply your understanding of potential career pathways and focus on mentoring and networking experiences.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 2 Majors from the following:
| Major name | |
|---|---|
|
|
Major
Aboriginal Studies
|
|
|
Major
Anthropology
|
|
|
Major
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
|
|
Major
Art History and Visual Culture
|
|
|
Major
Chinese Studies
|
|
|
Major
Creative Writing
|
|
|
Major
Cultural Studies
|
|
|
Major
English Literature
|
|
|
Major
Environmental Management
|
|
|
Major
French Studies
|
|
|
Major
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
|
|
Major
Geography
|
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|
Major
German Studies
|
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|
Major
History
|
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|
Major
International Development
|
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Major
International Security
|
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Major
Italian Studies
|
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|
Major
Japanese Studies
|
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|
Major
Kaurna Languages
|
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|
Major
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
|
|
Major
Philosophy
|
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|
Major
Politics
|
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|
Major
Population and Migration Studies
|
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|
Major
Screen Studies
|
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|
Major
Sociology
|
|
|
Major
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
|
|
Major
Spanish Studies
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Your arts degree will empower you to uncover a wide range of career choices that align with your values and interests. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills to not only survive, but thrive in our rapidly changing world to make change for the better.
The career choices available to you are as diverse as the courses you studied: the versatility of an arts degree means you can apply your skill set to almost any industry. Depending on your major, you could find work in the public or private sector across:
- Foreign affairs and diplomacy
- Policy development
- Environmental management and planning
- Corporate communications
- Humanitarian work
- Government and public service
- Management
- Marketing and public relations
- Media and publishing.
This degree also provides a pathway for further postgraduate study or research.
Industry trends
Over the next 10 years it’s predicted that 92% of new jobs created will require post-secondary education (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 ). With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), now, more than ever, employers are seeking a workforce with high level communication and problem-solving skills, creativity, adaptability and leadership capabilities. As an arts graduate, you’ll be well placed to meet the demands of the future labour force.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
