Overview
Follow your passions and drive your career forward, gaining essential workplace skills and knowledge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Victoria University (VU).
With an arts degree, you’ll prepare yourself to thrive in today’s fast-changing world and open doors to diverse career opportunities.
Take advantage of the maximum flexibility offered in VU’s Bachelor of Arts, allowing you to choose your area of focus based on your unique passions and career goals.
Gain a broad introduction to studying humanities with your first-year core units, then learn up-to-date course content from expert lecturers in your choice of one or two of the following major areas of study:
- Communication Studies
- Digital Media
- History
- Literary Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Visual Art
- Writing.
You also have the choice of 14 compelling minors, including Aboriginal Yulendj (Knowledge) and Community, which will give you knowledge needed for working with Aboriginal communities.
With a Bachelor of Arts, you’ll enhance your highly-sought-after employability skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork and analytical thinking. Studying the arts, humanities or social sciences will give you the broad understanding of humanity and people needed to be successful in modern society.
Graduate work-ready with professional skills
Throughout your arts degree, you’ll get work-ready with practical and workplace learning and opportunities to connect with VU’s strong network of community and industry partners.
In your third year of study, you’ll focus on a key professional piece of work in your area of specialisation, known as a ‘capstone’ project. This project will help you develop skills in organisation, teamwork and project management.
Learn in state-of-the-art facilities
Take advantage of VU’s industry-standard facilities and state-of-the-art creative learning spaces.
Our media production precinct at Footscray Park Campus includes:
- television studio and radio studio (including HD cameras and green screen)
- post-production labs
- hair, makeup and costume facilities and a green room
- professional audio recording equipment and editing software.
Set yourself up for study success with VU First Year College®
You’ll start your first year studying engaging, relevant and timely core arts units with VU First Year College®, a unique learning experience designed to set you up for success at university, no matter where you’ve come from.
Be supported by our multidisciplinary team of specialist educators, who ensure you develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to successfully complete your degree.
Gain valuable experience with industry-based projects
Depending on your specialisation, you could participate in a real-world project with our industry and community partners for your ‘capstone’ project in your third year of study. You’ll get valuable workplace experience and industry connections before you even graduate.
Some of our past industry-based projects include:
- Big West Festival
- Doutta Gala Aged Care Services mural
- Melbourne Fringe Festival
- Parliamentary internship
- Footscray Centenary
- Offset creative arts journal.
Our wide range of industry partners have included Malthouse Theatre, Penguin Books, Beat Media, ABC, Channel 10, SBS, HistorySmiths, St Vincent de Paul, local councils and the Parliament of Victoria.
Produce or perform a unique project
Our arts degree is not about rote learning and sitting tests. It's about developing skills that are applicable in the work place.
One of the ways you will demonstrate these skills is in your capstone project.
This is an exciting opportunity to create a professional piece of work in your an area of specialisation.
Examples include:
- an exhibition of your art or photography
- an in-depth report based on community, workplace or historical research
- a performance of a play you have written
- showing your short film
- creating and presenting a website
- producing and presenting creative writing.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backCareers in arts and humanities
With a Bachelor of Arts, you’ll have a strong foundation for a range of exciting careers in the humanities, creative arts and social sciences. Your skills in communication, research, critical analysis and teamwork will be highly sought after, and are transferable to almost any workplace. You may choose to do further study, as many professional careers are best served by graduates with a generalist first degree.
You'll be prepared for a wide range of roles in government or the public service, community and non-government organisations, business, education and media.
Like many of our graduates, you could work in:
- journalism, writing or strategic communications
- teaching – a popular choice following a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) or a Master of Teaching (Primary Education)
- creative arts administration
- public service and policy work
- community sector
- creative arts
- software development
- corporate management.
Find out salary information for Bachelor of Arts graduates or the following career options:
Course structure
To attain the Bachelor of Arts students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:
- 96 credit points of Core studies
- 96 credit points of Major studies selected from the approved list (includes Capstone units ACX3005/6)
- 96 credit points made up of either:
Option A:
-
72 credit points of 2nd major studies (not including Capstone units ACX3005/6) AND
-
24 credit points of elective units taken from any major or minor offered in ABAB (must be at year 2/3 level not already taken)
OR
Option B:
-
48 credit point of 1st Minor studies selected from the approved list AND
-
48 credit points of 2nd Minor studies selected from the approved list (must be at year 2/3 level not already taken)
OR
Option C:
-
48 credit point of 1st Minor studies selected from the approved list AND
-
48 credit points of elective units taken from any major or minor offered in ABAB (must be at year 2/3 level not already taken)
OR
Option D
-
48 credit point of 1st Minor studies selected from the approved list AND
-
24 credit points of elective units taken from any major or minor offered in ABAB (must be at year 2/3 not already taken) AND
-
24 credit points of elective units from across the University (must be at third year level).
Note: Students intending to select 'Psychology' as their Major undertake core units APP1012 Psychology 1A, APP1013 Psychology 1B, in their first year of study instead of ABA1004 Text and Representation and ACU1002 Creativity, Communication and the Digital Age.
AMADIG and AMIDIG are availble to Domestic students only.
Course structure and units
First Year Core units
-
- Unit code
- ABA1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ACU1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEK1204
- Credits
- 12
First Year Core units for students undertaking Psychology Major
-
- Unit code
- ABA1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ABA1005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEK1204
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP1012
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP1013
- Credits
- 12
Majors
-
- Unit code
- AMALIT
-
- Unit code
- AMASLY
-
- Unit code
- AMAHIS
-
- Unit code
- AMAVSU
-
- Unit code
- AMACOM
-
- Unit code
- AMARIT
-
- Unit code
- AMAPSY
-
- Unit code
- AMADIG
-
- Unit code
- AMAPOP
-
- Unit code
- AMAAGL
Minors
-
- Unit code
- AMIWRI
-
- Unit code
- AMIGEN
-
- Unit code
- AMIDIG
-
- Unit code
- AMILIT
-
- Unit code
- AMIPSY
-
- Unit code
- AMIHIS
-
- Unit code
- AMIPOP
-
- Unit code
- AMIPOL
-
- Unit code
- AMISLY
-
- Unit code
- AMIVSU
-
- Unit code
- AMICOM
-
- Unit code
- EMIAGL
-
- Unit code
- AMITEM
-
- Unit code
- AMICWS
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Critically review theory, research and practice in the humanities, social sciences and creative arts; | ||
| 2. | Critically reflect on the patterns of social, cultural, historical and political experience of society; | ||
| 3. | Plan, execute and communicate research and critical inquiry into the lives of communities of diverse places, experiences, discourses and time; | ||
| 4. | Exhibit a high degree of proficiency in active reading of complex texts, including collection and analysis of resource materials including the composition of oral and written material; | ||
| 5. | Demonstrate independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits; | ||
| 6. | Employ advanced interpersonal and collaborative skills, consistent with professional and ethical practice, when working with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.
Inherent Requirements
'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.
You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.
We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)
- Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
- an Australian or overseas equivalent or
- an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Importance of ATAR for this course
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
Why is ATAR not applicable?
You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study
This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
Applicants with higher education study
This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
Applicants with work & life experience
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts or similar.
OR:
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Pathways & credits
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from other institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
SEDA Group, Australia
You will be guaranteed entry only.
SEDA Group, Australia
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 24 February 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply through VTAC
Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:
- you are applying for more than one course
- you are completing Year 12 in 2023
- you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024
VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.
Apply via VTACSpecial Entry Access Scheme
You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.
Apply direct to VU
Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:
- you are a current VU student
- you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
