The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its more than forty majors, in fields throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences, is taught by truly outstanding scholars to ensure that each student receives the very best education, is engaged with cutting-edge research, and learns to think like a researcher. These majors can be coupled with more than seventy minors and specialisations to broaden or deepen your study. Regardless of your choices, your Arts degree will provide you with core skills in critical analysis and in written and oral communication, while developing your adaptability and ability to help shape change and prepare you for a multifaceted career or further study.
The Bachelor of Arts can be combined with all other ANU undergraduate degrees except the PhB as a Flexible Double Degree.
¿qué quisiera hacer
Deutsch? Vi?t? Latinum? Nipponjin?
The ANU Bachelor of Languages prepares you to thrive in our increasingly multilingual and international age.
Your language education experience is designed to engage you with the structural, grammatical and idiomatic components of your chosen language or languages. This is further contextualised using cultural, social and historical concepts, issues and topics.
Exciting opportunities exist for you to immerse yourself in your chosen language and culture through study abroad. With our flexible program you can also extend other minor language subjects into a major.
So what are you waiting for? Allons nous!
Career Options
ANU provides you with more choice for your entrance score by offering the new Flexible Double Degree program.
The ANU Flexible Double Degree lets you build skills for your chosen career without forfeiting your passion. It's your choice to build a double degree partnership that suits your head and your heart.http://students.anu.edu.au/applications/
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
- identify, including through interrogation of databases, relevant sources of information from across a variety of media (print and digital, written and audio-visual) and judge the importance and reliability of those sources;
- evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
- communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
- understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Languages enables students to:
- communicate proficiently and confidently in at least one language
- identify the structure and uses of languages studied
- recognise and contrast the societies and cultures of the languages chosen, and their socio-historical context
- construct a global schema of the connections between the languages studied and their geographical, social and cultural origins
- recognise the importance and value of intercultural communication.
Admission Requirements
Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:
• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.
Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.
The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.
- ATAR:
- 80
- QLD Band:
- 10
- International Baccalaureate:
- 29
Domestic applicant entry requirements
From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.
Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.
International applicant entry requirements
International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.
Adjustment Factors
The National Access Scheme 2014
ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.
Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.
Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.
How to apply
Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.
Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Arts - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Languages - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $28,608.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must consist of:
48 units from the completion of one Arts major
Australian Indigenous Studies Major
French Language and Culture Major
Gender, Sexuality and Culture Major
German Language and Culture Major
International Communication Major
Italian Language and Culture Major
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major
Either:
24 units from the completion of one Arts minor or specialisation:
Advanced Hispanic Culture Minor
Advanced Hispanic Linguistics Minor
Advanced Hispanic Studies Specialisation
Advanced Italian Studies Minor
Advanced Spanish Studies Minor
ANU Leadership and Research Minor
Australian Indigenous Studies Minor
Climate Science and Policy Minor
French Language and Culture Minor
German Language and Culture Minor
Health, Medicine and the Body Minor
Heritage and Museum Studies Minor
Integrative Methods in Environment and Society Minor
International Communication Minor
Italian Language and Culture Minor
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Minor
24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor, or specialisation
Or:
24 units from completion of ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D
24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor, or specialisation.
Or:
48 units from completion of a second Arts major
The Bachelor of Languages flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
48 units from completion of one of the following language majors:
24 units from completion of one of the following language minors, which must be in a different language to the major:
A minimum of 12 units from completion of courses in the Linguistics major
A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses in any of the following majors:
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Majors
Bachelor of Arts Majors
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European History
- French Language and Culture
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Rights
- Indonesian Language
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Korean Language
- Latin
Bachelor of Languages Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Arts Minors
- Advanced Ancient Greek
- Advanced French Studies
- Advanced German Studies
- Advanced Hispanic Culture
- Advanced Hispanic Linguistics
- Advanced Italian Studies
- Advanced Latin
- Advanced Spanish Studies
- American Studies
- Ancient Greek
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- ANU Leadership and Research
- Applied Linguistics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Art Theory
- Asian Art History
- Asian Studies
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Australian Politics
- Biological Anthropology
- Chinese Language
- Classical Chinese
- Climate Science and Policy
- Contemporary Europe
- Criminology
- Cultural Studies
- Demography
- Development Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Economic Studies
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European History
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Linguistics
- French Language and Culture
- Gender and Sexuality
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Health, Medicine and the Body
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Ecology
- Human Rights
- Indonesian Language
- Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Korean Language
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
- Music
- Music Technology
- Pacific Studies
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Science
- Political Science
- Popular Music
- Russian
- Sanskrit Language
- Social Psychology
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Sustainable Development
- Thai Language
- Urdu Language
- Vietnamese Language
- Visual Arts Practice
Bachelor of Languages Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of Arts Specialisations
Study Options
Year 1 | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | LING1001 Introduction to the Study of Language 6 units | Major 1000 level Course 6 units |
Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Linguistics Course 6 units | Major 1000 level Course 6 units | |
Year 2 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | LANG Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
Year 3 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | LANG Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
Year 4 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Minor 2000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Minor 2000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
Honours
For information about honours, please see the College of Arts and Social Sciences Honours website.
For information about honours, please see the School of Language Studies Honours website.
Single degree
Three years full time (144 units)
Four Courses per semester
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
One Arts major (48 units)
One Arts minor, specialisation or a second Arts major (24 units/48 units)
Elective courses from Arts & Social Sciences and/or from another ANU College
Double degree
This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
One Arts major (48 units)
One Arts minor, specialisation or a second Arts major (24 units/48 units)
Elective courses from the College of Arts and Social Sciences
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Arts program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take one Arts major (8 courses) and one Arts minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four Arts electives (4 courses). If you'd like to, you can use your Arts electives to extend your Arts minor into a second Arts major. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Arts double degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Arts degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take one Arts major (8 courses) and one Arts minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four Arts electives (4 courses). If you'd like to, you can use your Arts electives to extend your Arts minor into a second Arts major.
Enrolment Status
While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
• You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
• You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Arts major
• You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Arts minor or a second potential Arts major
• You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Arts half of the double degree.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses.
These courses have‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as
ARTS1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
There are over one hundred Arts majors, minors and specialisations available for you to study, from Ancient Greek to Visual Arts Practice.
If you aren’t sure what you want to study for your whole degree, that’s fine. You don’t need to commit to majors or minors until after your first year. Using electives can help to keep your options open.
From the list of Bachelor of Arts majors and minors choose the 1000 level courses you need to enrol in.
Because there are so many options available, you will need to take your time choosing what you want to study.
Electives
While you only need to enrol in courses for one Arts major and one Arts minor, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for an Arts major, and an Arts minor or second Arts major, you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses.
To find 1000-level courses, use the catalogue finder. Remember you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College at the University if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Arts program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Arts - Single
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Art with one Arts Major and one Arts minor.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
Bachelor of Arts - Double Degree
Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact students.CASS@anu.edu.au
Single degree
Three years full time (144 units) - 4 courses per semester (24 units)
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
One of the following language majors (48 units):
• Ancient Greek
• Arabic
• Chinese Language
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Hindi Language
• Indonesian Language
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language
• Korean Language
• Latin
• Persian
• Sanskrit Language
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Thai Language
• Turkish Language
• Urdu Language
• Vietnamese Language
One of the following language minors (24 units):
• Advanced French Studies
• Advanced German Studies
• Advanced Italian Studies
• Advanced Spanish Studies
• Ancient Greek
• Arabic
• Chinese Language
• Classical Chinese
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Hindi Language
• Indonesian Language
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language
• Japanese Linguistics
• Korean Language
• Latin
• Russian
• Persian
• Sanskrit Language
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Thai Language
• Turkish
• Urdu Language
• Vietnamese Language
Compulsory course - LING1001 - Introduction to the Study of Language (6 units)
One 6 unit course from the Linguistics major (in addition to LING1001)
12 units from any of the following subject areas (in addition to the requirements from the above):
• ANCH - Ancient History
• ARAB - Arabic
• ARTH - Art History
• ASIA - Asian Studies
• BURM - Burmese
• CHIN - Chinese
• CLAS - Classics
• EURO - European Studies
• FILM - Film Studies
• FREN - French
• GERM - German
• HIND - Hindi
• HIST - History
• INDN - Indonesian
• ITAL - Italian
• JPNS - Japanese
• JAVA - Javanese
• KORE - Korean
• LANG - Language Studies
• LAOT - Laotian
• LING - Linguistics
• MEAS - Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• PASI - Pacific Languages
• PERS - Persian
• PHIL - Philosophy
• POLS - Political Science
• RUSS - Russian
• SKRT - Sanskrit
• SPAN - Spanish
• SOCY - Sociology
• TETM - Tetum
• THAI - Thai
• TURK - Turkish
• URDU - Urdu
• VIET - Vietnamese
Eight Electives from across the ANU (48 units)
Double degree
• This degree requires 96 units
• A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
One of the following language majors (48 units):
• Ancient Greek
• Arabic
• Chinese Language
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Hindi Language
• Indonesian Language
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language
• Korean Language
• Latin
• Persian
• Sanskrit Language
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Thai Language
• Turkish Language
• Urdu Language
• Vietnamese Language
One of the following language minors (24 units):
• Advanced French Studies
• Advanced German Studies
• Advanced Italian Studies
• Advanced Spanish Studies
• Ancient Greek
• Arabic
• Chinese Language
• Classical Chinese
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Hindi Language
• Indonesian Language
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language
• Japanese Linguistics
• Korean Language
• Latin
• Russian
• Persian
• Sanskrit Language
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Thai Language
• Turkish
• Urdu Language
• Vietnamese Language
Compulsory course - LING1001 - Introduction to the Study of Language (6 units)
One 6 unit course from the Linguistics major (in addition to LING1001)
12 units from any of the following subject areas (in addition to the requirements from the above):
• ANCH - Ancient History
• ARAB - Arabic
• ARTH - Art History
• ASIA - Asian Studies
• BURM - Burmese
• CHIN - Chinese
• CLAS - Classics
• EURO - European Studies
• FILM - Film Studies
• FREN - French
• GERM - German
• HIND - Hindi
• HIST - History
• INDN - Indonesian
• ITAL - Italian
• JPNS - Japanese
• JAVA - Javanese
• KORE - Korean
• LANG - Language Studies
• LAOT - Laotian
• LING - Linguistics
• MEAS - Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• PASI - Pacific Languages
• PERS - Persian
• PHIL - Philosophy
• POLS - Political Science
• RUSS - Russian
• SKRT - Sanskrit
• SPAN - Spanish
• SOCY - Sociology
• TETM - Tetum
• THAI - Thai
• TURK - Turkish
• URDU - Urdu
• VIET - Vietnamese
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Languages degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take one language major (8 courses), one language minor (4 courses), take two courses from the Linguistics major, one of which must be LING1001 and take two courses (12 units) from the following subject areas - Ancient History, Arabic, Art History Asian Studies, Burmese, Chinese, Classics, European Studies, Film Studies, French, German, Hindi, History, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Korean, Language Studies, Laotian, Linguistics, Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Pacific Languages, Persian, Philosophy, Political Science, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tetum, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Languages degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Languages degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take one language major (8 courses), one language minor
(4 courses), take two courses from the Linguistics major, one of which
must be LING1001 and take two courses (12 units) from the following
subject areas - Ancient History, Arabic, Art History Asian Studies,
Burmese, Chinese, Classics, European Studies, Film Studies, French,
German, Hindi, History, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Korean,
Language Studies, Laotian, Linguistics, Middle Eastern and Central
Asian Studies, Pacific Languages, Persian, Philosophy, Political
Science, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tetum, Thai, Turkish, Urdu,
Vietnamese.
Enrolment Status
While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
• A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
• You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
• You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
• You need to enrol in courses for your chosen language major
• You need to enrol in courses for your chosen language minor
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Languages half of the double degree
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
You will need to enrol in:
Courses for both First Semester and Second Semester
Two 1000-level courses (12 units) from one of the language majors (if your chosen major is Chinese or Japanese, you will need to enrol in the four courses (24 units) in your first year).
Two 1000-level courses from one of the language minors
LING1001 - Introduction to the Study of Language
Two 1000-level elective courses (except if you are enrolling in Chinese or Japanese (12 units)
I have chosen a major (other than Chinese or Japanese) from the approved above list. How do I choose the two 1000-level courses for my major?
• All of these approved majors have only two 1000-level courses available, one in First Semester and one in Second Semester. You should enrol in both of these courses. If you have studied a language previously you will need to take a Language Placement Test before enrolling in your chosen language for 2014.
If I have chosen to complete a Chinese major or Japanese major, how do I choose the four 1000-level courses for my major?
For a Chinese major you should enrol in:
• CHIN1012 - Modern Chinese 1A: Spoken Chinese in First Semester
• CHIN1013 - Modern Chinese 1B: Written Chinese in First Semester
• CHIN2022 - Modern Chinese 2A: Spoken Chinese in Second Semester
• CHIN2023 - Modern Chinese 2B: Written Chinese in Second Semester
For a Japanese major you should enrol in:
• JPNS1012 - Spoken Japanese 1 in First Semester
• JPNS1014 - Written Japanese A in First Semester
• JPNS1013 - Spoken Japanese 2 in Second Semester
• JPNS1015 - Written Japanese B in Second Semester
(If you have studied Chinese or Japanese previously you will need to take a Language Placement Test to determine the level of courses you should enrol in for 2014)
How do I choose 1000-level courses for my minor?
If your chosen language minor has 1000-level courses listed, you should choose these courses; typically there will be no choice as there are only two 1000-level courses offered.
If you have studied a language previously you will need to take a Language Placement Test to determine the level of courses you should enrol in for 2014.
Electives
Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in courses for a language major, a language minor, and the compulsory course LING1001, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for the major you should choose electives
Study Options
Bachelor of Languages - Single Degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Languages.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | LING1001 Introduction to the Study of Language 6 units | Elective 1000 level Course 6 units |
Major 1000 level Coure 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Art Elective 1000 level Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level Course 6 units |
Bachelor of Languages - Double Degree
Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact students.CASS@anu.edu.au