Course overview

If you have an innate curiosity about the world around you and a desire to create meaningful change, then a Bachelor of Arts is the perfect place to begin your journey towards realising your purpose.

Feel empowered to explore a diverse range of majors and minors in a way that suits you – from Indigenous studies to web design, and animation to criminology – you can personalise your degree to topics that you care about. Graduate with the critical thinking, communication and leadership skills required to address current and emerging global challenges in a rapidly changing world.

Want to find your purpose and develop the critical skills to make the world better?

Deakin’s Bachelor of Arts allows you to explore meaningful ideas that matter to you, preparing you to make a positive impact on the world around you. Through exceptional learning experiences, you’ll develop nuanced perspectives about current social justice issues and learn the critical skills to imagine a better future for all people.

You'll respond to critical issues you care about, from the climate crisis to the scourge of fake news, as well as new and emerging challenges of the future. Sharpen your critical thinking and leadership skills so that you can address current and emerging global issues with the knowledge, passion and empathy required to truly drive meaningful change.

By studying humanities, social sciences and languages, you’ll better understand yourself, what you stand for and the world around you. Design your own learning and future career by combining specific majors and minors – from international relations and journalism to design thinking and performing arts, strategic advertising and history to sport journalism and web design. 

As you nurture your passion, you’ll dive deep into your practice and be fully supported on your journey towards your future career. You’ll engage with the community and industry through individually tailored work placement and networking opportunities, allowing you to develop leadership skills and the entrepreneurial mindset to make your mark in a career you love. 

From day one you’ll have the flexibility to study your way. Feel encouraged to fit your learning in with your busy life, whether you want to slow down or speed up your studies, combine courses or study on-campus or via our leading online learning platform. 

Learn from leading academics and passionate practitioners who are engaged in industry and actively collaborating on key social issues. Our academics support your personal growth and will inspire you to push boundaries with your bold ideas. When you study at Deakin, you’ll join a vibrant community of curious and creative minds who are passionate about delving into ideas that matter.

You won’t just talk about ideas; you'll learn by doing and discover how to put them into action. Our hands-on experiential learning gives you the critical skills to make an impact and curate a future career you love.

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Arts, students must complete 24 credit point including:

• Global Challenges sequence (3 credit points)
• Employability sequence (3 credit points)

Plus either:

• 2 major sequences of at least 8 credit points

OR

• 1 major sequence of at least 8 credit points plus 1 minor sequence of at least 4 credit points

Remaining credit points may be used to undertake an additional minor sequence or to take elective units.

Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts:

• a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
• a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

We offer 2 units that are specifically designed to help students with the transition to university study:

• Introduction to University Study AIX160
• Professional Writing for Work AIX117

New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.

Your selection of Major/s, Minor/s, and electives will enable you to design a unique Bachelor of Arts which best suits your needs.

• Major: Your choice of major/s will develop your expertise in particular area/s of study. Each of our majors are carefully scaffolded to give you a comprehensive understanding of your chosen area of study. Within each major sequence, you will also have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills that will prepare you for your future careers.

• Minor: If you choose to undertake a minor you will develop additional knowledge in another area of study. Students will often choose minors that complement their major/s, or use them to discover and pursue their interests.

• Electives: These are units that you may select which interest you or support your career development. By giving you up to 6 electives to choose from, over the three levels, the Bachelor of Arts is all about you and your developing interests.

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Additional course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.