Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree at James Cook University is a three-year, full-time degree that offers 11 majors to choose from. The course is highly flexible and allows students to explore areas of study that focus on their strengths while giving them the opportunity to diversify.

Fast Facts

• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Fees: $15,540.00+ (estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee for a full-time study load)
• Location: JCU campuses or study centres in Townsville, Cairns, and online
• Commencing: January, May, September (online, Townsville, and Cairns)
• Entry Requirements: ATAR 59, English (Units 3/4,C)

Majors

• Anthropology: Study history, languages, politics, economics, and social systems. Understand cultural and ethnic difference and analyse how people's beliefs fit into a wider social, political, and economic context.
• Archaeology: Develop skills in archaeological site recording and conservation. Participate in field trips to investigate heritage site excavations and Aboriginal Australian rock art sites.
• Criminology: Learn why people are motivated to commit crime and explore strategies to prevent law-breaking and rehabilitate offenders.
• English: Gain critical communication and reasoning skills and develop your understanding of the English language, while growing your passion for reading and writing.
• History: Gain an intimate knowledge of humanity by examining past societies and cultures. Study the history of North Queensland and develop your understanding of Australian history.
• Human Geography: Explore the interrelationship between people and their natural and built environments. Develop specialist skills including urban planning and design, regional sustainability, and social and environmental impact assessment.
• Human Services: Develop skills that will prepare you to work with marginalised and vulnerable people. Study social policy, community planning and development, education, and capacity building, organisational practice, and social responsibility.
• Indigenous Studies: Expand your understanding of the complex interface between Indigenous and Western knowledge, perspectives, and practices in Australia today.
• Politics and International Relations: Take a deep dive into the people, institutions, and issues involved in Australian and international politics. Explore political processes, policy, diplomacy, political economy, and globalisation of Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
• Psychology Studies: Gain a deeper understanding of the biological, social, and cultural factors that influence how humans think, feel, and behave.
• Sociology: Develop the analytical skills to learn how society is organised and how we interact with each other. Study social trends and understand why and how societies and institutions have developed through history.

Honours

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees.

Career Opportunities

JCU Bachelor of Arts graduates have a diverse range of skills with many career choices. Your career options vary depending on what majors you select. You could work in areas such as human resources, education, media and communications, policy, research, or conservation.

Admissions Transparency Data

• Entry Score Threshold: ATAR/Selection Rank: 59.00
• Entry Score Range: JCU Townsville, JCU Cairns, and External (online)

Real Stories

• Student: Cole Brown, Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and International Relations
• Alumni: Elena Reynolds, Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Politics and International Relations
• Alumni: Hannah King, Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology
• Lecturer: Professor Rosita Henry, Professional Chair, Anthropology Lecturer
• Employer: Dr Maddy McAllister, Senior Curator Maritime Archaeology, Museum of Tropical Queensland

Real-World Experience

• Ancient Fires: Making the past accessible for future scientists

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information, please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.