The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some fifty 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.

Want to make positive changes and help the Third World? The ANU Bachelor of Development Studies is the right degree for you.

ANU is a leader in the field of Development Studies and has established relationships with Australian and international aid and development organisations.

You will gain an inter-disciplinary understanding of theory and practice concerning the processes of development in the Third World, with special competence concerning one or two of four areas: Central Asia and the Middle East, China, Oceania, South and Southeast Asia, together with a solid background in one of the relevant social science disciplines.

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

1. critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
2. 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;
3. evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
4. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
5. understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.

1. identify the theory and principles of development;

2. analyse the practice of development through multilateral, bilateral, government and non-government agencies;

3. recall critical development issues in particular regions of the South; and

4. engage in one of the social science disciplines or a language other than English.

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Prerequisites

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

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 of the following majors

MAJORS

Disciplines and Fields

Ancient History

Anthropology

Archaeology

Art History and Theory

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biological Anthropology

Criminology

Demography

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

English

Environmental Studies

Gender, Sexuality and Culture

Geography

Global Security

History

Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Rights

International Communication

International Relations

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Music Technology

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Screen Studies

Sociology

Technology, Networks and Society

War Studies

Languages

Ancient Greek

Arabic

Chinese Language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Japanese Linguistics

Korean Language

Latin

Persian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish

Thai Language

Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies

Asian Studies

Asian History

Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Chinese Studies

Contemporary Europe

Indian and South Asian Studies

Indonesian Studies

Japanese Studies

Korean Studies

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Northeast Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

EITHER:

48 units from completion of a second major from the list above

OR

24 units from completion of one of the following minors, which must have a different name to the major

MINORS

Disciplines and Fields

Advanced Studies

Ancient History

Anthropology

ANU Leadership and Research

Applied Linguistics

Archaeology

Art History and Theory

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biological Anthropology

Climate Science and Policy

Criminology

Demography

Design

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

English

Environmental Policy

Environmental Studies

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Linguistics

Gender and Sexuality

Geography

Global Security

Health, Medicine and the Body

Heritage and Museum Studies

History

Human Ecology

Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Rights

International Communication

International Relations

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Music Technology

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy and Science

Philosophy

Political Science

Popular Music

Screen Studies

Social Psychology

Social Research Methods

Sociology

Sustainable Development

Technology, Networks and Society

Visual Arts Practice

War Studies

Languages

Advanced Ancient Greek

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Chinese Language

Advanced English Language

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Japanese Language

Advanced Korean Language

Advanced Latin

Advanced Persian

Advanced Sanskrit Language

Advanced Spanish Studies

Ancient Greek

Arabic

Burmese Language 

Chinese Language 

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Japanese Linguistics

Korean Language

Latin

Literary Chinese

Mongolian Language

Persian

Russian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish

Tetum Language

Thai Language

Tok Pisin Language

Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies

American Studies

Asian and Pacific Anthropology

Asian and Pacific Linguistics 

Asian Art History

Asian History

Asian Studies

Asia and Pacific Archaeology

Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Asia-Pacific International Relations

Asia and Pacific Literature and Film

Asia-Pacific Politics

Australian Politics

Chinese Studies

Contemporary Europe

Indian and South Asian Studies

Indonesian Studies

Japanese Studies

Korean Studies

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Northeast Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

ANIP

ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D *

And 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

OR

48 units from completion of two of the above minors, which must have different names to the major

The Bachelor of Development 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:

A maximum of 24 units from completion of undergraduate introductory courses from the following list:

ANTH1002 Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology (6 units)

ANTH1003 Global Citizen: Culture, Development and Inequality (6 units)

ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: Power, Diversity and Change (6 units)

ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in Motion (6 units)

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

ENVS1008 Sustainable Development (6 units)

POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts (6 units)

POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues (6 units)

SOCY1002 Self and Society (6 units)

SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology (6 units)

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ANTH2009 Culture and Development (6 units)

POLS2011 Development and Change (6 units)

SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development (6 units)

A minimum of 24 units from completion of Development Studies courses from the following list:

ANTH2017 Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today (6 units)

ANTH2026 Medicine, Healing and the Body (6 units)

ANTH2129 Crossing Borders: Migration, Identity and Livelihood (6 units)

ANTH2134 States and Citizens: Anthropological Perspectives (6 units)

ASIA2067 Economies of Emerging Asia (6 units)

ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development (6 units)

ECON2900 Development Poverty and Famine (6 units)

ENVS2005 Island Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School (6 units)

ENVS2023 Sustainable Agricultural Systems (6 units)

ENVS2025 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management (6 units)

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East (6 units)

POLS2055 Pacific Politics (6 units)

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy (6 units)

POLS2095 Politics in Latin America (6 units)

POLS2101 Refugee Politics: Displacement and Exclusion in the 20th and 21st Centuries (6 units)

POLS2113 Human Rights (6 units)

SOCY2022 Environmental Sociology (6 units)

SOCY2162 Sociology of Health and Illness (6 units)

 A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program B (12 units)

ANTH3017 Indigenous Worlds: Challenges of Emergence, Recognition, and Change (6 units)

ENVS3007 Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities and Stakeholders (6 units)

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy (6 units)

INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia (6 units)

PASI3001 Politics and Development in the Contemporary Pacific (6 units)

PASI3005 Pacific Islands Field School (6 units)

POLS3070 Politics in Central Asia (6 units)

24 units from completion of one of the following complementary minors:

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Chinese Language

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Japanese Language

Advanced Korean Language

Advanced Persian

Advanced Spanish Studies

Anthropology

Arabic

Asian and Pacific Anthropology

Burmese Language

Chinese Language

Environmental Studies

French Language and Culture

Geography

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Human Ecology

Humanitarian Engineering

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Korean Language

Mongolian Language

Persian

Political Science

Russian

Sociology

Spanish

Sustainable Development

Tetum Language

Thai Language

Tok Pisin Language

Vietnamese Language

Majors

Bachelor of Arts Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Arts Minors

Bachelor of Development Studies Minors

Study Options