Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science combines humanities and social-science perspectives with scientific study. Swinburne describes the degree as providing research and analytical skills, preparation for professional scientific environments and a broader understanding of the social forces driving contemporary change.

Key benefits include:

• Combine two bachelor's degrees into one four-year programme.
• Develop both scientific and analytical/humanities perspectives.
• Build critical and creative reasoning, communication, problem-solving, teamwork and research skills.
• Study a specialist Science major while also developing an Arts specialisation.
• Gain practical industry experience through Work Integrated Learning.
• Undertake placements, internships or industry-linked projects.
• Address major global and societal challenges through interdisciplinary study.
• Develop career flexibility across science, policy, government, research and social-impact environments.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The double degree requires 400 credit points and combines Arts and Science study. The current indicative sequence is specifically identified by Swinburne as the Semester 1, 2026 sequence; the university warns that unit sequencing can change and students should use their course planner and study plan.

Arts core units currently shown include:

• Technology and Society — ART10002
• Skills and Strategies for Social Change — ART20003
• Changemakers in Action — ART30004
• BA Professional Practice — ART30005.

Science core units currently shown include:

• Concepts of Biology — BIO10001
• Chemistry 1 — CHE10001
• Introduction to Chemistry — CHE10004
• Societal Challenges in Science — NPS20011
• Grand Challenges in Science — NPS30004.

For example, an Environmental Science Science major includes subjects such as:

• Consumer Chemistry and Environmental Impact
• Built and Sustainable Communities
• The Microbial World
• Environmental Management
• Food Science
• Water Science
• Environmental Biology
• Microbes in the Environment.

A Physics major includes subjects such as:

• Electronics and Electromagnetism
• Discovering the Universe
• Optics, Relativity and Subatomic Physics
• Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics
• Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism
• Physics Research Laboratories
• Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
• Quantum, Atomic and Optical Physics.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Bachelor of Arts side currently offers majors including:

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

The Bachelor of Science side provides Science majors including:

• Applied Mathematics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Space Technology.

Programme Highlights

Important programme-specific highlights include:

• Four-year double degree.
• 400 total credit points.
• Combination of Arts and Science.
• 12 core units.
• 16 major units.
• 4 elective units.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes.
• Work Integrated Learning.
• Industry-linked learning opportunities.
• Optional professional work placement.
• Broad choice of Arts and Science specialisations.
• Australian Institute of Physics accreditation for students completing the Physics major in conjunction with the Higher Mathematics minor.
• Royal Australian Chemical Institute professional accreditation is also listed by Swinburne for the relevant chemistry pathway.

Swinburne currently highlights:

• Top 400 globally for Arts and Humanities, according to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023.
• Top 5 in Australia for Physics, according to the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025.
• Top 50 in the world for Space Science, according to the US News Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–2026.
• 5 stars for overall experience.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists potential career opportunities including:

• Data analyst
• Science policy officer
• Public administrator
• Pathologist
• Government relations officer
• Research and development officer.

The combined Arts and Science structure can also support careers involving:

• Scientific research
• Environmental and sustainability work
• Science communication
• Government and public policy
• Data and analytical roles
• Research and development
• Community and social policy
• Government relations
• Scientific or technical organisations.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current course information confirms:

• Course code: BB-ARTSC
• CRICOS code: 080214A
• Duration: 4 years full-time
• Campus: Hawthorn
• Total: 400 credit points
• 2027 Semester 1 start: 1 March 2027
• 2027 Semester 2 start: 2 August 2027.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this CRICOS-registered double degree in Australia normally require the Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Swinburne states that international students in Australia holding a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

The Department of Home Affairs currently requires Student visa applicants to:

• Apply online in or outside Australia.
• Be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet applicable health and character requirements.
• Meet the Genuine Student requirement and any other applicable visa criteria.

The practical sequence for an international applicant is therefore:

1. Meet Swinburne's academic and English requirements.
2. Apply to Swinburne.
3. Receive the Letter of Offer.
4. Accept the offer and satisfy the required payment conditions.
5. Obtain the Confirmation of Enrolment.
6. Arrange OSHC.
7. Apply for Student visa subclass 500.
8. Provide any financial, English, Genuine Student, health or character evidence requested by Home Affairs.
9. Commence full-time study at Hawthorn.