Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts requires completion of 144 units, of which a maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses.
The 144 units must include:
48 units from the completion of one of the following majors
MAJORS
Disciplines and Fields
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art History and Curatorial Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biological Anthropology
Classical Studies
Composition
Composition for Film and Video Games
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
Musicology
Peace and Conflict Studies
Performance
Philosophy
Political Science
Popular Music
Psychology
Screen Studies
Sociology
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
Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Chinese Studies
Indian and South Asian Studies
Indonesian Studies
Japanese Studies
Korean Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Middle East Politics and Security
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
Anthropology
Applied Linguistics
Archaeology
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biological Anthropology
Classical Studies
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
Indian and South Asian Studies
International Communication
International Relations
Linguistics
Mathematics
Music
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy and Science
Philosophy
Political Science
Screen Studies
Social Psychology
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Visual Arts Practice
War Studies
Languages
Advanced Ancient Greek
Advanced Arabic
Advanced Chinese 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
English 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
Tibetan Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
Geographically Defined Area Studies
Archaeology of Australia and its Region
Asian and Pacific Anthropology
Asian and Pacific Linguistics
Asian History
Asian Studies
Asian and Pacific Archaeology
Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Asian and Pacific Literature and Film
Asia-Pacific Politics
Australian Politics
Contemporary Europe
Chinese Studies
Indian and South Asian Studies
Indonesian Studies
Japanese Studies
Korean Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Middle East Politics and Security
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
48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
* Admission to ANIP is based on a competitive selection. See ANIP page for further details.
Majors
- Ancient Greek
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History and Curatorial Studies
- Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
- Asian History
- Asian Studies
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Biological Anthropology
- Chinese Language
- Chinese Studies
- Criminology
- Demography
- Development Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Economic Studies
- English
- Environmental Studies
- French Language and Culture
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Global Security
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indian and South Asian Studies
- Indonesian Language
- Indonesian Studies
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Japanese Linguistics
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Language
- Korean Studies
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Middle East Politics and Security
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
- Music
- Music Technology
- Northeast Asian Studies
- Pacific Studies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sanskrit Language
- Sociology
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Thai Language
- Vietnamese Language
- War Studies
Minors
- Advanced Ancient Greek
- Advanced Arabic
- Advanced Chinese 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
- Anthropology
- Applied Linguistics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Archaeology of Aboriginal Australia in its Regional and Cultural Context
- Asian and Pacific Anthropology
- Asian and Pacific Archaeology
- Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
- Asian and Pacific Linguistics
- Asian and Pacific Literature and Film
- Asian History
- Asian Studies
- Asia-Pacific Politics
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Australian Politics
- Biological Anthropology
- Burmese Language
- Chinese Language
- Chinese Studies
- Climate Science and Policy
- Composition, Arranging and Sound Design
- Contemporary Europe
- Criminology
- Demography
- Design
- Development Studies
- Economic Studies
- English Language
- Environmental Policy
- Environmental Studies
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Linguistics
- French Language and Culture
- Gender and Sexuality
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Global Security
- Health, Medicine and the Body
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Ecology
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indian and South Asian Studies
- Indonesian Language
- Indonesian Studies
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Japanese Linguistics
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Language
- Korean Studies
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Literary Chinese
- Mathematics
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
- Middle Eastern Politics and Security
- Mongolian Language
- Music
- Music Technology
- Northeast Asian Studies
- Pacific Studies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Science
- Political Science
- Popular Music
- Russian
- Russian and Central Asian Studies
- Sanskrit Language
- Screen Studies
- Social Psychology
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Sustainable Development
- Tetum Language
- Thai Language
- Tibetan Language Minor
- Tok Pisin Language
- Vietnamese Language
- Visual Arts Practice
- War Studies
Elective Study
Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.
Study Options
Year 1 48 units | For study plans, please see following link http://cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans | - | - | - |
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Year 2 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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Year 3 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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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
- ATAR:
- 80
- International Baccalaureate:
- 30
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.
Indicative fees
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $45,060.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
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.
The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some 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.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
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.
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Further Information
APAC accreditation and pathway to Honours in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) when students complete the accredited sequence of psychology courses.
- Students admitted to an ANU BSc, BARTS or PhB prior to 2023 who wish to be eligible for Honours in Psychology must complete the courses from the Psychology major and specialisation in order to satisfy the APAC accredited sequence of courses and achieve the minimum required learning in Psychology. The minimum required learning is achieved by successful completion of PSYC1003 , PSYC1004 , PSYC2001 , PSYC2002 , PSYC2007 , PSYC2008 , PSYC2009 , PSYC3018 , PSYC3025 , PSYC3026 and an additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC courses (or, for PhB students, 3000 level SCNC courses with a psychology supervisor). It is strongly recommended students also complete PSYC2012 and PSYC3020 (PSYC3020 will contribute towards the additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC course requirement).
- Students admitted to an ANU BSc, BARTS or PhB from 2023 onwards who wish to be eligible for Honours in Psychology must complete the courses from the Psychology major and specialisation in order to satisfy the APAC accredited sequence of courses and achieve the minimum required learning in Psychology. The minimum required learning is achieved by successful completion of PSYC1003 , PSYC1004 , PSYC2001 , PSYC2007 , PSYC2008 , PSYC2009 , PSYC2012 , PSYC3018 , PSYC3020 , PSYC3025 , PSYC3026 and PSYC3202.
Back to the Bachelor of Arts page
Course selection
Enrolling for the first time can seem like a big task. Below, you will find an example enrolment pattern for your first year of study.
There are a few items to note:
- Courses coded in the 1000 range are appropriate for first-year students. We strongly recommend that students new to tertiary study enrol in first-year courses during their first semester.
- We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you pick your later year courses.
- The tables below represent only one possible combination. You are welcome to pick and choose from any other 1000-coded course found under the “Study Tab”.
- The tables below assume you are new to tertiary study and ineligible for course credit.
Single degree
Students starting in Semester 1 or Semester 2 –single degree Bachelor of Arts, example
Semester 1
Arts major
Arts minor
Elective
Elective
Semester 2
Arts major
Arts minor
Elective
Elective
Search Programs and Courses for the full list of available Majors and Minors and select a 1000-level that contributes to that major/minor.
Other first year courses available: to find all other 1000-level courses, refer to the Catalogue of Programs and Courses. You may refine your selection on the right-hand column of the webpage.
Double degree
Students starting in Semester 1 or Semester 2 – double degree Bachelor of Arts, example
Semester 1
Arts major
Arts minor
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Semester 2
Arts major
Arts minor
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Electives
Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Arts major | Arts minor | Elective | Elective |
Arts major | Arts minor | Elective | Elective |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | Arts major | Arts minor | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
Arts major | Arts minor | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
Academic Advice
Course credit
If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.
Other important information for new students
Please refer to the New students page. You will find all the information you require to activate your ANU email account, enrol into courses and our O week details.
Need help?
If you would like further information or advice regarding your degree, please contact the Student Office. We offer appointments, and you can reach us at students.cass@anu.edu.au.
You can also check out our in person opening hours and location on the CASS Student Office webpage.