A Bachelor of Arts lets you dive into higher learning with flexibility and freedom. We support your interests in the broad and vital study of history, society, culture and creativity.

The University of Adelaide is ranked in top 200* for Arts and Humanities globally. From Classics to Criminology, Gender Studies to Geography—you can choose from the greatest number of study areas in the state.

What will you do?

Based on North Terrace, you’ll study in the centre of Adelaide’s cultural hub, surrounded by iconic establishments and festivals. You will:
 

• experience a modern learning program taught with a global perspective
• learn from deeply passionate and knowledgeable academics
• build a suite of skills in critical thinking, communication, and research
• form strong networks with your peers and teachers
• develop professional connections in government, business and the community sector through internships
• gain international experience through optional exchanges or study tours when they become available.

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte

This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte. You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


You’ll focus your interests in any of the following areas:  

Anthropology (SATAC code 334241)
Art History and Visual Culture (SATAC code 334251)
Australian Studies (SATAC code 334271)
Chinese Studies (SATAC code 334281)
Classics (SATAC code 334291)
Creative Writing (SATAC code 334301)
Criminology (SATAC code 334311)
Cultural Studies (SATAC code 334321)
Digital Humanities (SATAC code 334331)
Economics (SATAC code 334341)
Education (SATAC code 334351)
English (SATAC code 334361)
Film Studies (SATAC code 334901)
French Studies (SATAC code 334371)
Gender Studies (SATAC code 334381)
Geography, Environment and Population (SATAC code 334391)
German Studies (SATAC code 334401)
History (SATAC code 334411)
History and Philosophy of Sciences (minor only) (SATAC code 314071)
Indigenous Knowledges and Society (SATAC code 334421)
Indonesian Studies (SATAC code 334431)
International Business (minor only)* (SATAC code 314071)
International Development (SATAC code 334441)
Italian Studies (SATAC code 334451)
Japanese Studies (SATAC code 334461)
Linguistics (SATAC code 334471)
Management (minor only)* (SATAC code 314071)
Marketing* (SATAC code 314071)
Mathematical Sciences (SATAC code 334481) 
Media (SATAC code 334491)
Modern Greek Studies (SATAC code 334501)
Music (SATAC code 334511)
Music Education (minor only) (SATAC code 314071)
Philosophy (SATAC code 334521)
Politics and International Relations (SATAC code 334531)
Psychology^ (SATAC code 334541)
Sociology(SATAC code 334551)
Spanish Studies (SATAC code 334561)

*These majors cannot be taken as a first major.
^ Further study is required to become a qualified psychologist

During your degree you can specialise in at least one major and one minor from a large list of areas of study. Students are also able to take elective courses in other areas of study from within Arts or from other areas within the University, such as Health Sciences or Business.

The BA offers the opportunity to learn one (or more) of eight languages, irrespective of a student's previous language study.

Students who wish to further their cultural skills and broaden their experiences can choose to study overseas for one or two semesters with one of more than 100 partner institutions around the world. Alternatively, students may wish to study one or more of a variety of short Study Abroad courses.

BA students with a suitable grade point average are also able to take part in an internship in which they gain valuable work experience relevant to their career goals, build networks, and manage a research project for an industry partner in the media, environment, parliament or the arts. Other benefits of studying the degree include regular career and employment forums and mentoring programs that run throughout the year.
 

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Areas of Specialisation

Students can specialise by taking majors and minors in the following areas:

• Anthropology
• Art History and Visual Culture
• Australian Studies
• Chinese Studies
• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Criminology
• Cultural Studies
• Digital Humanities
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Film
• French Studies
• Gender Studies
• Geography, Environment and Population
• German Studies
• History
• Indigenous Knowledges and Society
• Indonesian Studies
• International Business (minor only)*
• International Development
• Italian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Linguistics
• Management (minor only)*
• Marketing*
• Mathematical Sciences
• Media
• Modern Greek Studies
• Music
• Music Education (minor only)
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Spanish Studies

Please note: All Majors and Minors are subject to confirmation in November. Please visit the Arts, Business, Law and Economics for a full list of courses that comprise each area of specialisation.

*These majors must be taken in addition to a first Arts major chosen from those listed above.

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.



Our graduates have great versatility in shaping their careers and follow highly successful paths in different areas: advertising, administration, business, community engagement, corporate communication, defence, diplomatic service, environmental management and planning, foreign affairs, humanitarian work, human resources, industry liaison, management, marketing, media, policy development, project management, psychology, public relations, publishing, research, social planning, youth work, academia and teaching.

In addition to renowned excellence in teaching and research, we provide mentoring support and careers advice with employment forums and talks by key industry partners and organisations each year.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.

1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
7. Digital capabilities
8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

If you maintain a high GPA, you will have the opportunity take part in an internship in your third year with an organisation from within the arts, media, parliament or environment. These include State Parliament and a range of public and business sector agencies, where you can use the knowledge from your university study in a practical work environment, building valuable networks and gaining experience that counts towards your degree program and prepares you for your future career. 

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Diplomat;  Linguist;  Manager / Business Management;  Conservation Scientist;  Publishing;  Member of Parliament;  Parliamentary Adviser;  Social Inclusion Officer;  Historian;  UN Human Rights Officer ...

Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject.

IELTS: Overall 6.5 (Reading 6, Listening 6, Speaking 6, Writing 6); TOEFL: Internet-based: Total score of 79 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, 18 in Speaking and 13 in Reading and Listening; TOEFL Paper-based: Total score of 577 with a minimum of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE); Pearsons: Overall 58 (Reading 50, Listening 50, Speaking 50, Writing 50); Cambridge: Overall 176 (Reading 169, Listening 169, Speaking 169, Writing 169).