Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies)

The Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies) enables students to understand the past and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal peoples in Australia and internationally. Students will acquire a general knowledge of different aspects of Aboriginal cultures and how these have undergone change and adaptation, and develop skills in constructing critical arguments and analysing topics in terms of their historical and contemporary contexts.

Program Details

• Degree Level: Undergraduate
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Mode: On-campus
• Program Code: MBAA
• Prerequisites: None
• Assumed Knowledge: None
• Fees: AUD$ 32,800 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025
• English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS total: 6.0
  • IELTS reading: 6.0
  • IELTS writing: 6.0
• CRICOS Code: G

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist applicants in easily finding the information most relevant to their circumstances. However, applicants may fit into more than one category, and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

• Recent Secondary Education:
  • Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
  • Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR)
  • Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE
  • Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
• Higher Education Study:
  • Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution
  • Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
• Vocational Education and Training (VET):
  • Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
• Work and Life Experience:
  • Qualify for Special Entry
  • Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent
  • Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential Requirements for Admission

• Prerequisites: None
• Assumed Knowledge: None
• English Language Entry Requirements: In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements.

Program Structure

Students will complete 108 units of study comprising:

• 9 units of core courses
• 36 units of an Arts specialisation
• 36 units of a second Arts major
• 18 units of a minor
• 9 units of electives

Courses

First Year

• First Semester:
  • Truth, Lies and Being Human (HUMS 1060)
  • Aboriginal Cultures (HUMS 1035)
  • Major 2
  • Minor
• Second Semester:
  • Intercultural Communication (LANG 1054)
  • Caring for Country (ENVT 1017)
  • Major 2
  • Minor

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • Communication and Reciprocity (COMM 2060)
  • Major 2
  • Minor
  • Elective
  • OR Professional Directions Program 1 (COMM 2098)
• Second Semester:
  • Aboriginal Australians and the Human Services (WELF 2015)
  • Major 2
  • Minor
  • Elective
  • OR Professional Directions Program 2 (COMM 2099)

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • Law, Land and Peoples (LAWS 3086)
  • Aboriginal Philosophy: Contesting Knowledge in Social Science (PHIL 3008)
  • Major 2
  • Major 2
• Second Semester:
  • Aboriginal Nation Building and Governance (HUMS 3056)
  • Aboriginality and Globalisation (HUMS 3057)
  • Major 2
  • Major 2

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

• French Studies
• Italian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Psychology
• Creative Writing and Literature
• Applied Linguistics
• Sociology
• History and Global Politics
• Cultural Studies
• Law, Policy and Politics
• Aboriginal Studies
• Criminology and Criminal Justice

Electives

• Pitjantjatjara Language and Culture (LANG 2031)
• Teaching and Learning in Aboriginal Education (EDUC 2061)
• Aboriginal Public Health Practice and Research (HLTH 2039)

Rules & Notes

1. Students are required to complete their second major from: Creative Writing and Literature, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Applied Linguistics, Sociology, Languages, Cultural Studies, or Psychology.
2. A minor consists of four courses (18 units), two of which are generally Level 1 (Introductory) and two at Level 2 (Intermediate).
3. The Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience course can be chosen in place of the minor sequence and is equivalent to 18 units.
4. Students complete either Electives or Professional Directions Program courses 1 and 2.
5. Students are advised to select their minor from within the majors offered by the MBAA Bachelor of Arts.
6. With the permission of the Program Director, this course may be substituted with a suitable alternative or elective.
7. The Justice & Society Study Tour course can be chosen in place of an elective course as part of this program.

Program Director

Dr Fiona O'Neill

Related Degrees

• Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
• Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (History and Global Politics)
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
• Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Studies)
• Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing and Literature)
• Bachelor of Arts (Applied Linguistics)
• Bachelor of Arts (Law, Policy and Politics)
• Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice)