Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts

Gain the lifelong, transferable skills employers are seeking with one of Western Australia's most diverse degrees.

Majors available

• Anthropology: understanding cultural diversity in a globalised world
• Applied Human Geography: equipped with conceptual and practical tools to build a future of sustainable, vibrant and just societies and economies
• Archaeology: the only discipline to study more than three million years of human history in all its facets
• Asian Studies: prepare yourself for a world of new experiences, opportunities and discovery in our region
• Chinese Studies: more than one billion people globally speak Chinese (Mandarin), making it the most widely-spoken language in the world
• Classics and Ancient History: explore the ancient Greek and Roman worlds at the only university in WA that offers Classics and Ancient History
• Communication and Media Studies: one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of study in today's media-driven world
• Contemporary Popular Music: engage with the popular music industry to develop your artistry and knowledge
• Criminology: fascinated by crime and the human mind? Crime, psychology, ethics and law are just some of the areas you will explore
• English and Literary Studies: develop your reading, writing and thinking skills through the study of literature, film and television, and through producing your own creative writing
• Fine Arts: the creative exploration of ideas and the formation of concepts within the unique imaginative field of making art
• French Studies: studying French at UWA is more than simply learning a language, it's an experience which will open your mind to different cultures
• Gender Studies: examine thought-provoking issues around gender and sexuality in society today
• German Studies: German is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and, as a result, can open doors to many enriching cultural experiences
• History: wars, revolutions, conflicts and diasporas, nations, empires, economies, environments, cultures, emotions and people – in history, there are no no-go areas and no questions off limits
• History of Art: understanding the history of art enables students to explore in detail the ongoing significance of art as a platform for shaping and interpreting the world in which we live
• Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage: how do Indigenous people view the world? How does Indigenous knowledge inform the world around us?
• Indonesian Studies: a major in Indonesian Studies enables you to achieve a high level of fluency in the language and learn about the unique culture and history of the country
• Italian Studies: learn Italian while also exploring the riches of Italy's cultural past and its dynamic present
• Japanese Studies: this major offers you a passport to appreciating one of Asia's foremost economic and cultural powerhouses
• Korean Studies: the Korean Studies major combines learning the language with the study of Korea-related subjects in various disciplines
• Law and Society: from human rights, crime and justice to Indigenous rights, freedom of expression and religion, the Law and Society major explores the impact of legal and social policy on all areas of our lives
• Linguistics: from sounds and words to how language is used in different societies and cultures, linguistics is the study of language and communication
• Music and Society: develop your skills and expertise in thinking critically about music
• Music General Studies: studying Music General Studies allows you to continue your musical journey while pursuing other fields of interest
• Music Studies: through Music Studies you have the opportunity to innovate, create, and expand your knowledge through performance, composition or musicology
• Music Theatre: develop your artistry and knowledge as you take to the Music Theatre stage
• Music: Electronic Music and Sound Design: combine your love of music and technology in this creative-focused major
• Philosophy: tackle the big questions in life while learning crucial critical thinking skills
• Political Science and International Relations: gain an understanding of governments and political systems in Australia and internationally and the values and ideologies that have motivated political action in modern society
• Psychological and Behavioural Sciences: psychology is a fascinating and diverse area of study that seeks to answer questions about how and why people behave the way they do
• Spanish Studies: learn the language and open your mind to the Spanish way of life
• Work and Employment Relations: blend politics, law, sociology, economics, history and more as you investigate and challenge the policies and institutions designed to help both employers and employees get the most out of their relationship

The learning experience

• UWA facilities include lecture theatres, case study rooms and break-out areas for group work and individual study
• UWA Schools
• Six libraries
• One of Australia’s most picturesque campuses
• Five residential colleges
• Vibrant student experience

Fees and scholarships

• Domestic Student Fees: for Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study
• Scholarships: available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area

Careers and further study

• Career Opportunities: the Bachelor of Arts prepares students for a range of career pathways, including policy making, communicating, educating and facilitating, human service provision and content creation
• Graduate pathways and industries that relate to these fields include law, social work, international relations, population health, international development, environmental management, strategic communication, teaching, community engagement, arts administration, public relations, archaeology and heritage management, urban planning, human resource management, community development, counselling, marketing, security, and tourism
• Potential career opportunities include:
  • Policy Maker
  • Communicator
  • Educator
  • Human Service Provider
  • Content Creator

Entry requirements

• Admission requirements: to be considered for this course you need to achieve the University’s minimum entry score, demonstrate English language competence, and satisfy any prerequisites for your preferred majors
• Assured Pathway information: if you have a professional career in mind, take advantage of one of our Assured Pathways, which gives you an assured place in one of our postgraduate professional courses from the start of your studies with us

About the Bachelor of Arts

• UWA's Bachelor of Arts is one of the most flexible and diverse degrees in Western Australia, with over 30 majors, including Political Science and International Relations, History, Philosophy, and a range of European and Asian languages
• With majors in humanities and social sciences, music, and design, including the interdisciplinary majors of Gender Studies and Criminology, our Bachelor of Arts lets you cultivate your passions while providing you with the lifelong, transferable skills that employers are seeking, giving you an immediate competitive edge in pursuit of a career

Why study Arts at UWA?

• Our Bachelor of Arts is one of the most flexible and diverse degrees in Western Australia
• You’ll be taught by renowned scholars and researchers who are international leaders and experts in their fields as well as award-winning teachers
• You can get hands-on industry experience through our range of professional experience practicum units
• We’re the largest language hub in the state
• You can supplement and extend your formal studies with UWA’s exciting range of opportunities including global exchange, service learning or global citizenship collaborations
• You can enhance your interdisciplinary capabilities by taking electives, minors or additional majors in adjacent fields including STEM
• Our Arts graduates include the founder of Mecca Cosmetica, an Academy Award-winning artist, a film maker, the CEO of Greenpeace APAC and a former federal minister, to name a few

Prominent alumni

• UWA Bachelor of Arts alumni include:
  • Shaun Tan: Academy Award-winning artist, writer and film maker
  • Jo Horgan: Founder, Mecca Cosmetica
  • Tim Minchin: Composer/lyricist, musician, comedian, actor, writer and director
  • Jarrad Seng: Music and travel photographer and filmmaker
  • Michael Sheldrick: Co-Founder of Global Citizen, author
  • Stephen Smith: Former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
  • Iain Grandage: Former Artistic Director of Perth Festival, composer, conductor
  • Kasia McNaught: Founder of McNaught Media
  • James Evans: Associate Director of Bell Shakespeare
  • David Ritter: CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific
  • Sir William Heseltine: Former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II

Graduate with two degrees

• The combined degree option allows you to pair your Bachelor of Arts degree with another passion, broadening your career options and giving you an edge in a rapidly changing workforce
• You can combine the Bachelor of Arts with:
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Science
  • Bachelor of Art History and Curatorial Studies
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Environmental Science
  • Bachelor of Human Rights
  • Bachelor of International Relations
  • Bachelor of Mathematics
  • Bachelor of Media and Communication
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Bachelor of Modern Languages
  • Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Bachelor of Psychology
  • Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability

Our facilities

• UWA Bachelor of Arts students have access to a range of world-class facilities that enhance your learning and give you hands-on experience before you enter the workplace
• These facilities include:
  • Archaeology, Forensics and Rock Art Experimental Farm
  • Archaeology Lab
  • Callaway Music Auditorium
  • Cullity Gallery
  • Design Hub
  • Eileen Joyce Studio
  • Japanese tatami room and authentic garden
  • New Fortune Theatre
  • Shakespeare Garden
• These are complemented by our University-wide facilities including our libraries, which house more than 850,000 books and more than 230,000 non-print items in a wide range of formats, from manuscripts to electronic databases
• There's also a wide range of study spaces around campus, including by the picturesque Swan River