Overview
Follow your passions and drive your career forward, gaining essential workplace skills and knowledge in your Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Victoria University.
An arts degree is the ideal preparation for today's fast-changing world. You'll develop specific skills for your chosen career, along with research, writing and communication expertise, which are essential in a broad range of work environments.
Turn your passion into your career by selecting units of personal interest. Bachelor of Arts students complete one or two majors, which will be listed on your qualification. VU specialises in these areas, with expert lecturers and current course content:
- Communication Studies
- Digital Media
- History
- Literary Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Visual Art
- Writing.
This course offers maximum flexibility if you are undecided about career choice. It lets you combine units from different areas to create a base of knowledge that you can to draw on when applying for work in various fields.
Our Bachelor of Arts is distinctive for its focus on academic disciplines that are engaged with the workplace and community. You'll benefit from our strong network of community and industry partners, and practical and workplace learning.
We have a dedicated discipline minor Aboriginal Yulendj (Knowledge) and Community that will give you knowledge needed for working with Aboriginal communities.
Opportunities for applied learning include:
- digital media labs
- psychology labs
- studio spaces (music, TV and radio).
Practical learning opportunities
We offer on-the-job learning for students through a wide range of industry partners that have included Malthouse Theatre, Penguin Books, Beat Media, ABC, Channel 10, SBS, St Vincent de Paul, local councils and the Parliament of Victoria.
In your third year of the Bachelor of Arts, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in real-world projects with our industry and community partners. You can make valuable industry connections before you even graduate.
You’ll develop skills in organisation, teamwork and project management.
Past examples include:
- Big West Festival
- Doutta Gala Aged Care Services mural
- Melbourne Fringe Festival
- Parliamentary internship
- Footscray Centenary
- Offset creative arts journal.
Study overseas while earning course credits
At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.
Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.
Creative arts facilities
VU has industry-standard facilities and state-of-the-art creative learning spaces.
- Kindred Studios – a professional music industry facility that includes rehearsal, performance and recording spaces and equipment.
- Our media production precinct at Footscray Park Campus includes:
- TV studio and radio studio (including HD cameras, green screen)
- post production labs
- hair, makeup and costume facilities and a green room
- professional audio recording equipment and editing software.
Develop core employment skills
An Arts degree is ideal preparation for today's changing world. It develops the highly sought-after skills of communication, problem-solving, teamwork and analytical thinking.
You'll learn to research and write well – skills that are essential in large areas of employment for producing reports, speeches, newsletters, digital communications, websites, print publications, and video and radio scripts.
Being successful in a modern society requires a broader understanding of humanity and people. Studying the arts, humanities, or social sciences will help you meet that need.
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
Our BA provides 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.
VU Bachelor of Arts graduates often go on to work in the following areas:
- journalism, writing or strategic communications
- teaching (a popular choice following completion of a Masters of Teaching)
- creative arts administration
- public service and policy work
- community sector
- creative arts
- software development
- corporate management.
Salaries
See salary information for an Arts graduate in Australia (via PayScale).
Career options with this qualification are varied. For example, these are the average annual salaries (via Labour Market Insights) in Australia for:
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 1
And select either:
- 96 credit points of Major 2
- 2 x 48 credit points Minor studies
Note: Students intending to select 'Psychology' as their Major undertake 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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
- 19 February 2024
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 direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 11 February 2024 for our next intake which starts on 19 February 2024.
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.