Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is an internationally recognized degree that offers diverse career opportunities. Through this program, students develop sector-specific analytical abilities, research experience, and well-honed written and verbal communication skills. The BA degree may be taken within the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences, the Division of Education, and the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies.

Points and Duration

• The total number of points required to gain this qualification is 360.
• The expected duration of full-time study is 3 years.

Locations

• The qualification is offered in Hamilton and Tauranga.
• Note that papers offered differ by location.

Area of Study

• The Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies
• The School of Arts
• The School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy
• The School of Psychological and Social Sciences

Start Dates

• Trimester A (March)
• Trimester B (July)

Why Study the Bachelor of Arts?

With a Bachelor of Arts degree, students gain an internationally recognized qualification leading to diverse career opportunities. The program develops sector-specific analytical abilities, research experience, and well-honed written and verbal communication skills.

Career Opportunities

• Communications Advisor
• Composer
• Creative Art Director
• Creative Performer
• Cultural Advisor
• Designer
• Events Manager
• Journalist
• Media Producer
• Professional Writer

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

• Choose a major subject from the available options.
• Available planners: Bachelor of Arts overview (School of Arts, School of Psychological and Social Sciences, School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy) and Bachelor of Arts overview (Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies).

Year 1

• 100 Level Major
• One paper from List A: Academic Foundations
  • ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
  • ARTSC105 Language in Context
  • ENSLA103 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Writing
  • ENSLA202 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Speaking
• ARTSC110 Culture and Creativity
• Field of the Degree 100 Level
• Elective

Year 2

• 200 Level Major
• One paper from List B: Cultural Perspectives
  • ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
  • ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
  • ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
  • ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
  • DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
• 200 Level Field of the Degree
• Elective

Year 3

• 300 Level Major
• One paper from List C: Work-Integrated Learning
  • ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
  • ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
  • ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts
  • ARTSW302 Work-related Arts Research Project
  • GEOGY328 Geographical Information Systems
• Elective

List A: Academic Foundations

• ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
• ARTSC105 Language in Context
• ENSLA103 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Writing
• ENSLA202 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Speaking

List B: Cultural Perspectives

• Any Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies papers, or
  • ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
  • ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
  • ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
  • ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
  • DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
  • EDUCA200 Te Hononga Tangata
  • ENGLI200 Global Fictions
  • GEOGY219 Māori Lands and Communities
  • INTLC221 Understanding East Asia
  • INTLC225 The French-speaking World from Astérix to Zombies
  • LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture
  • Any MAIST - Māori and Indigenous Studies paper
  • Any PAIST - Pacific and Indigenous Studies paper

List C: Work-Integrated Learning

• ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
• ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
• ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts
• ARTSW302 Work-related Arts Research Project
• GEOGY328 Geographical Information Systems
• LINGS301 Research Apprenticeship
• PHILO318 Ethics at Work
• POLSC318 Global Environmental Politics and Policy
• POPST300 Population Studies Work-related Project
• PSYCH301 Psychology Research Assistantship
• SOCSC301 Work-integrated learning - Work-related Project
• WAIKT363 Impact Studio
• WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement

Subjects

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Education and Society
• English
• Environmental Planning
• Geography
• History
• Human Development
• Human Rights
• International Languages and Cultures
• Kaupapa Māori Psychology
• Law
• Linguistics
• Music
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Population Studies
• Psychology
• Screen and Media Studies
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Theatre Studies
• Writing Studies
• Māori and Indigenous Studies
• Pacific and Indigenous Studies
• Māori Language/Te Reo Māori

Minor Subjects

• Chinese
• Creative Writing
• Dance
• Ethics
• French
• Japanese
• Esports

Entry Requirements

• Domestic students
  • There are five ways to gain admission to the University of Waikato:
    1. NCEA University Entrance
    2. Admission at entrance level
    3. Discretionary entrance
    4. University Entrance prior to 2015
    5. Special admission
• International students
  • Please consult the University's website for international admission requirements.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic students
  • Estimated fees: $7,542 - $8,787 per year
  • Domestic tuition fees
  • Scholarships: Visit the University's Scholarship finder for more information.

Bachelor of Arts with Honours

Entry

• In general, to be admitted to the BA(Hons), students must have a B grade average in the 300 level papers of their undergraduate major subject.
• Students need to have majored in the same subject for their undergraduate degree as that in which they intend to enrol at graduate level.

Requirements

• The Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) involves two semesters of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
• The BA(Hons) comprises 120 points at 500 level, of which at least 30 points must be in research, normally a 30 point dissertation or an approved equivalent.
• The BA(Hons) is awarded with classes of honours.

BA(Hons) Subjects

• Anthropology
• Education and Society
• English
• Geography
• History
• Māori and Indigenous Studies
• Music
• Pacific and Indigenous Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Screen and Media Studies
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Theatre Studies

Graduate Study Options

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Certificate
• Postgraduate Diploma
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

BA under the School of Arts, School of Psychological and Social Sciences or School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy

• Students learn about human nature and the human mind as they are revealed by the arts, languages, politics, and cultures of the past and present.
• The effective communication skills developed while studying the Arts are valued as essential in the modern workplace.

BA under the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies

• The BA in Māori and Indigenous Studies equips students with core knowledge in te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and the ability to critically assess its local, national, and global significance.
• This degree fosters leadership skills within local, national, and international indigenous communities.
• It prepares students to contribute to the development of whānau/hapū/iwi/Māori communities.
• It strengthens students' ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and individuals.
• It cultivates an appreciation for indigenous and global issues, especially Māori's role within them.
• It builds high-level communication skills in both English and Māori, enabling students to engage with Te Ao Māori.

Career Pathways for BA Graduates

• Roles in the cultural and heritage sector
• Media
• Environmental management
• Treaty of Waitangi issues
• Health, welfare, and education agencies
• Government departments like Te Puni Kokiri.