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Bachelor of Arts

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Degree Structure

Below is an example of a typical pattern calculated on 6 unit courses.

  Arts Major e.g. History Units Arts Major e.g. Film Studies Units Arts and/or Other Units Units Total units
1st yr courses Max 2 courses 12 Max 2 courses 12 Max 4 courses 24 48
Later yr courses Min 5 courses 30 Min 5 courses 30 Min 6 courses 36 96
TOTAL 7 courses 42 7 courses 42 10 courses 60 144

Majors outside the College
For students to include a major from another College it must be a clearly defined major (as specified in the Undergraduate Handbook) and the student must follow the rules and requirements for that major as specified by the relevant College.

Below is an example of a typical pattern calculated on 6 unit courses for an Arts major and an Asian Studies major within a Bachelor of Arts.

  Arts Major e.g. Political Science Units Arts Courses Units Major out of College e.g. Asian History Units Total units
1st yr courses Max 2 courses 12 Max 4 courses 24 Max 2 courses 12 48
Later yr courses Min 5 courses 30 Min 5 courses 30 Min 6 courses 36 96
TOTAL 7 courses 42 9 courses 54 8 courses 48 144
  Arts -- min. 96 units Out-of-College -- max. 48 units

Combined Programs
The combined programs offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences enable students to expand their career options, as they have access to the directly related specialist employment available to each degree. Employers keenly appreciate the combination of expertise or professional training with a broad educational base.

The structure of the combined program is such that students are not permitted to take courses from outside the two Colleges in which they are enrolled. The only exception to this ruling is that the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences will recognise as Arts cognate courses up to two courses (12 units) to be undertaken in a third College where those courses are required to complete an Arts major. This will only apply to the History, Lingusitics, Applied Linguistics, Developmental Studies, Population Studies, Social Research Methods and Religious Studies majors.

Please note that any courses taken within a combined program may only be counted once (ie towards one degree, not both).  In the case where a course is a compulsory course in both degrees (or a major within each degree), the course may still only be counted in one program, however, a student is entitled to an exemption from the course in the other program.

If you wish to check if a course is classified as an Bachelor of Arts course, then refer to the list at the end of this chapter. Note that students in a combined program can also undertake a maximum of 24 units from the Science Cognate List.


The Pass Degree

The pass degree is designed to give students a sound general education in one or all of the humanities, social sciences and languages.

Full-time students can complete the program in three years. Part-time students need at least six years to complete the program, assuming that they take four semester-length courses each year. All students, whether studying part-time or full-time, are required to finish their programs within ten years.

Even though students enrolled in the BA program must complete 96 units offered within the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, they have a wide choice of courses as they may choose courses up to the value of 48 units offered by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, the ANU College of Business and Economics, the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, and the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (but not the ANU College of Law).

In exceptional circumstances, a student may include more than 48 units at 1000-level. Students must seek permission from the College Student Office.

Within the 96 units required to be undertaken within the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, up to 24 units may be taken from the list of approved Science Cognate Courses (see end of Arts Chapter).

Typical full-time study plan for a Pass degree based on two Arts Majors:

  First semester Second semester
1st Year (48 units) 2 x Arts 1st yr courses
1 x Arts 1st yr course Major A
1 x Arts 1st yr course Major B
2 x Arts 1st yr courses
1 x Arts 1st yr course Major A
1 x Arts 1st yr course Major B
2nd Year (48 units) 1 x Arts Later-yr course
2 x Arts Major A
1 x Arts Major B
1 x Arts Later-yr course
1 x Arts Major A
2 x Arts Major B
3rd Year (48 units) 2 x Arts Later-yr courses
1 x Arts Major A
1 x Arts Major B
2 x Arts Later-yr courses
1 x Arts Major A
1 x Arts Major B

Note:

  • Both Arts majors A and B are based on 42 units ie. 7 courses x 6 units each
  • A maximum 8 x 1st year courses is allowed


The Degree with Honours

Information on honours for Bachelor of Arts.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions