Make a real difference in the world by learning to build and develop programs and initiatives that meet the changing needs of society and create sustainable communities.

You will develop the knowledge and skills to help build participatory communities, both in Australia and internationally.

Your course will be made up of the core units in community development listed below plus you will choose one of the following specialisations:

• The International Development Specialisation
  For students interested in international community development and in sociology of the global South.
• The Australasian Specialisation
  This provides specialist knowledge in Australian sociology and social policy
• Sports Specialisation
  You will develop the knowledge to implement sports and recreation strategies as a community development strategy. 

Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) - Australasian Stream

Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) - International Stream (

Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) - Sport Stream (

In the core units you will study the theory of community development, learn practical skills that will equip you as a community development worker, and undertake a placement program (Learning in the Workplace and Community). 

Fieldwork placements form an integral part of the course. During placements students develop their skills while gaining practical experience with NGOs, community groups, government or on a campaign. Many students choose to do placements overseas in countries such as Timor Leste, Fiji, Bangladesh and Thailand. VU may provide a small travel grant to help with overseas placements.

The breadth of the placements program can seen in the third year students' Placement Symposium.

Students also share their fieldwork experience via 'Postcards from the Field'.

The school has agreements with other universities, such as the National University of Timor Loro Sa'e (UNTL) and NGOs which enrich our program. For example

• Study tour unit to Uganda taught in conjunction with the NGO AGYA
• Study tour unit to East Timor. The school also jointly convenes a regular conference in Timor Leste with UNTL.

Graduates can continue studying by undertaking honours, a Masters in International Community Development and we supervise Masters by research and PhD students.

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• College:
  College of Arts
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus
• Course code:
  ABSE
• Duration:
  3 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here for the international version of this course

How to apply

If applying via direct entry or submitting supplementary information with an Internal Course Application, please complete the supplementary information for Bachelor of Arts (Community Development)

Graduates work as:

• community advocates
• managers in civil society organisations
• researchers
• advisers to local or central government
• Service providers in a broad range of fields including work with children, women, youth, aged, indigenous and ethnic communities.
• overseas aid workers 

Graduates are able to find employment in many government and non-government organisations in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Timor-Leste, New Caledonia, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Graduates of this course will be able to:

• Evaluate community development approaches in a variety of contexts;
• Design relevant development interventions;
• Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge of the theory and practice of community development;
• Develop a scholarly approach to researching and reporting in community development studies;
• Demonstrate effective communication and community organising skills.

Students undertake streams in either Community Development International, Community Development Australasia or Community Development Sport.

• Community Development From the Local to the Global

  Unit code

  ASA1023

  Credits

  12

• Critical Literacy in the Social Sciences

  Unit code

  ASX1002

  Credits

  12

• Applied Human Rights

  Unit code

  ASA1024

  Credits

  12

• Fieldwork 1: Working With Organisations

  Unit code

  ASC1012

  Credits

  12

• Sociology 1b

  Unit code

  ASS1052

  Credits

  12

• Fieldwork Placement 2

  Unit code

  ASC2010

  Credits

  12

• Regional and International Organisations and Policy

  Unit code

  ASA2030

  Credits

  12

• Management in Non-Government Organisations

  Unit code

  ASA2033

  Credits

  12

• Social Movements, Social Actions

  Unit code

  ASA2024

  Credits

  12

• Research and Fieldwork 2

  Unit code

  ASC2004

  Credits

  12

• Research and Fieldwork 3

  Unit code

  ASC3005

  Credits

  12

• Migration, Mobility and Globalisation

  Unit code

  ASS3050

  Credits

  12

• Regional and International Organisations and Policy

  Unit code

  ASA2030

  Credits

  12

• Management in Non-Government Organisations

  Unit code

  ASA2033

  Credits

  12

• Project Design and Implementation

  Unit code

  ASA3024

  Credits

  12

• Communication for Sustainable Development

  Unit code

  ASC2023

  Credits

  12

• Research and Fieldwork 4

  Unit code

  ASC3006

  Credits

  12

• TAFE: VET applicants will be considered and pathways are available from a range of VET courses.
• Year 12: VCE with minimum study score of 20 in English units 3 and 4 (any) or equivalent.
• International: Completion of a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australia’s year 12 or VCE qualification. IELTS minimum 6.0 (no band less than 6) or equivalent.
• Mature: Applicants with relevant work, education and/or community experience may be considered on the basis of equivalence.