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.
As Australia’s engagement with the Pacific increases, so too does the need for graduates with Pacific expertise.
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies will provide you with a deep understanding of the diversity, history and contemporary issues of Oceania, so you can take a leading role in Pacific policy and development.
You will also have the opportunity to engage in internship and immersion programs in Oceania, boosting your language skills and expertise in the region.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
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 of a Bachelor of Arts, graduates 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.
Upon completion of a Bachelor of Pacific Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Speak and write about theories, factual content and research approaches relevant to Pacific Studies.
- Identify relevant regional and international literature relevant to Pacific Studies.
- Determine the processes through which current knowledge about Pacific Studies has been developed.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of perspectives on indigenous, popular, policy and scholarly debates in Oceania.
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.
More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.
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:
- 28
Domestic applicant entry requirements
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 http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/ for more information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Arts - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Pacific Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $36,720.00
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
Human Evolutionary Biology 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
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 and the following list:
ESEN1101 Essential University English
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 and the following list:
ESEN1101 Essential University English.
Or:
48 units from completion of a second Arts major
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies 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:
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies requires the completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units can come from completion of 1000 level courses
The 144 units must include:
48 units from completion of the Pacific Studies major
Either:
24 units from completion of a minor from following list:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Development Studies
Environmental Studies
Environmental Policy
Heritage and Museum Studies
History
Human Ecology
Australian Indigenous Studies
International Relations
Political Science
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Chinese
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi
Indonesian
Japanese
Spanish
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Climate Science and Policy
Environmental Policy
Forest Science and Policy
Geography
Human Ecology
Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
Soil and Land Management
Sustainable Development
Water Science and Policy
Philosophy
24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Or:
48 units from completion of a major from following list:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Development Studies
Environmental Studies
Gender, Sexuality and Culture
Geography
History
International Relations
Political Science
Sociology
Chinese
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi
Indonesian
Japanese
Spanish
Environmental and Landscape Sciences
Natural Resource Management
Sustainability Science
Philosophy
Visual Arts Practice
Majors
Bachelor of Arts Majors
- Environmental Studies
- European History
- French Language and Culture
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indonesian Language
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Korean Language
- Latin
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Arts Minors
- Advanced Ancient Greek
- Advanced Arabic
- Advanced French Studies
- Advanced German Studies
- Advanced Hispanic Culture
- Advanced Hispanic Linguistics
- Advanced Italian Studies
- Advanced Latin
- Advanced Spanish Studies
- Advanced 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
- Burmese Language
- Chinese Language
- Classical Chinese
- Climate Science and Policy
- Contemporary Europe
- Criminology
- 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 Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indonesian Language
- 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 Pacific Studies Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of Arts Specialisations
Study Options
Year 1 | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | PASI1011 Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies 6 units | Major 1000 level course 6 units |
Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Pacific Studies Major ASIA1025 or ASIA1030 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 | PASI2001 Pacific Studies in a Globalizing World 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units |
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | PASI2002 Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | |
Year 3 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units |
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | |
Year 4 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units |
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units |
Honours
For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
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 |
Back to the Bachelor of Pacific Studies page
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies is offered through the School of Culture, History and Language. Upon completion of this degree, you will have developed specific knowledge of Pacific Studies and a range of transferable skills that will prepare you for work or further study.
Single degree
- This degree requires the completion of 144 units
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses is allowed
- 48 units must come from completion of the Pacific Studies major
- 24 units from completion of a minor approved by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- 72 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Double degree
- This degree requires the completion of 96 units
- A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses is allowed
- 48 units must come from completion of the Pacific Studies major
- 24 units from completion of a minor approved by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Pacific Studies single 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. Once you have fulfilled the requirements of the Pacific Studies major, you can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a subject of your choice.
Double degree
You will need to complete a minimum of 96 units towards the Bachelor of Pacific Studies degree but will also get to choose 4 courses (24 units) from other ANU Colleges.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.
Remember you will need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester. You will be able to change your enrolment in courses up until the end of week 2 of each semester without penalty.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
If you are intending to enrol into our language courses and have previous experience with the language you want to study, even if you think it might not be relevant or was too long ago, you need to sit a placement test for the College to ensure you are enrolled into the most appropriate level of language study.
Relevant past experience include:
- Previous study of the language
- Being exposed to the language in childhood
- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken
- The language being spoken in your home (even if you don’t speak it)
Languages available for the placement test:
- Indonesian
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Korean
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
Students in this degree must complete a Pacific Studies Major, and a minor from the following list:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Policy
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- History
- Human Ecology
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Chinese
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management
- Climate Science and Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Forest Science and Policy
- Geography
- Human Ecology
- Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
- Soil and Land Management
- Sustainable Development
- Water Science and Policy
- Philosophy
- Visual Arts Practice
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- History
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Chinese
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Environmental and Landscape Sciences
- Natural Resource Management
- Sustainability Science
- Philosophy
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements. Students who choose to do a second major will need to take the additional 24 units for their major from their electives.
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 Pacific Studies program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Double Degree Study Plan
Study Options
Year 1 48 units | PASI1011 Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units |
PASI1012 Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units |
Academic Advice
If after reading through these guidelines you are unsure about your which courses to enrol in, you can come to an academic advice session at Melville Hall during Orientation week.
If you are seeking status (credit) from previous study at another university you will need to come to an academic advice session at Melville Hall during Orientation week, and we will help you choose the correct courses for your first year.
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact Katerina Teaiwa at Katerina.Teaiwa@anu.edu.au