Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Arts develops critical thinking, communication, cultural competency, digital literacy, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• The Indigenous Studies major explores Indigenous cultures and experiences, with particular attention to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Students study Indigenous ways of being and doing and examine concepts such as respect, relationships, connection to Country and kinship.
• The major examines the historical and continuing effects of imperialism and colonialism and develops understanding of Indigenous experiences in contemporary Australian society.
• Students also explore Indigenous knowledges, Indigenous representations and Indigenous enterprise and entrepreneurship.
• The course provides Work Integrated Learning through a placement, internship or industry-linked project.
• Students can work with community, civil-society and industry partners through the Skills and Strategies for Social Change unit.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Indigenous Studies major consists of eight major units, each normally worth 12.5 credit points.

The current published major units are:

1. Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences — INS10001
2. Unlearning the Past: Indigenous Australian History — INS10002
3. First Nations Resistance, Activism and Empowerment — INS20004
4. International Indigenous Perspectives — INS20002
5. Indigenous Enterprise and Entrepreneurship — INS30001
6. Indigenous Knowledges — INS30002
7. Indigenous Representations — INS30004

Indicative 2026 sequence currently published by Swinburne:

Year 1:

• Technology and Society — ART10002
• Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences — INS10001
• Unlearning the Past: Indigenous Australian History — INS10002
• Elective units.

Year 2:

• Skills and Strategies for Social Change — ART20003
• First Nations Resistance, Activism and Empowerment — INS20004
• International Indigenous Perspectives — INS20002
• Elective units.

Year 3:

• Changemakers in Action — ART30004
• Indigenous Enterprise and Entrepreneurship — INS30001
• Indigenous Knowledges — INS30002
• BA Professional Practice — ART30005
• Indigenous Representations — INS30004
• Elective units.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected major is:

• Indigenous Studies

Key disciplinary themes include:

• Indigenous Australian experiences
• Indigenous history
• First Nations resistance and activism
• International Indigenous perspectives
• Indigenous knowledge
• Indigenous representations
• Indigenous enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Culture, identity and community
• Colonialism and post-colonial society.

The Bachelor of Arts also has other majors, including:

• Climate and Social Justice
• Criminology and Social Change
• Ethics and Technology
• Literature and Creative Writing
• Perspectives on Globalisation
• Politics, Power and Technology
• Screen Studies and Popular Culture.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year Bachelor of Arts.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary Arts major.
• Focuses particularly on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while also examining Indigenous cultures and perspectives internationally.
• Covers Indigenous history, knowledge, resistance, activism, representation and entrepreneurship.
• Includes practical and community-oriented learning opportunities.
• Work Integrated Learning can provide industry experience.
• The broader Bachelor of Arts develops transferable skills in critical and creative reasoning, communication, collaboration, problem-solving and self-management.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities for the Indigenous Studies major including:

• Community engagement and/or development officer
• Public relations executive
• Policy analyst
• Cultural liaison officer
• Advocacy worker
• Client services officer.

Swinburne's broader Arts materials also identify career areas such as:

• Community development
• Cultural services
• Government
• Indigenous engagement
• Human rights
• NGO/aid work
• Media and communication
• Public relations
• Advocacy
• Policy
• Diversity and inclusion.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The most important current update is the major discontinuation notice.

Swinburne's current course page states:

• Indigenous Studies will be discontinued after Semester 1, 2027.
• The information currently displayed is intended for current students.

This means the programme should be treated as a closing major rather than a long-term intake option.

Other current details:

• Course code: BA-ARTS3
• CRICOS: 088388C
• Current 2027 Semester 1 start: 1 March 2027
• Semester 1 application deadline: 24 February 2027
• Current 2027 Semester 2 Bachelor of Arts start: 2 August 2027
• Semester 2 application deadline: 28 July 2027.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying this course in Australia, the relevant visa is generally the Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

The course is CRICOS registered under 088388C.

General requirements can include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• Genuine Student requirement
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Evidence of financial capacity where required
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• A valid passport and other identity documentation
• Compliance with Student visa conditions.

Study mode is particularly relevant:

• Swinburne states that international students in Australia who hold Student visas are required to study full-time and on campus.
• This course is delivered at Hawthorn, so it is compatible with the on-campus study requirement.

Student visa work rights generally permit:

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session.
• Unlimited work when the course is not in session, subject to the applicable visa conditions.