Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Fine Arts
Discover your own path.
Discover your own path.
Delve into the world of scientific discovery and creative practice. Collaboration between the arts and sciences has the potential to create new ways of seeing, experiencing and interpreting the world around us.
Join the forefront of scientific innovation and artistic practice. This double degree offers a broad and flexible education, which you can tailor to your interests and career goals.
From earth science to psychology, mathematics to biotech, our advanced-level science degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers. No matter which specialisation you choose, you’ll gain in-demand transferable skills that can be applied to almost any industry.
In your fine arts degree, you can explore your chosen specialisation in animation and moving image, art theory, music and or visual arts. You’ll learn from experts in practical and theoretical classes as you develop your artistic practice.
With expertise across two disciplines, this double degree will broaden your skillset and expand your career possibilities.
Flexibility and variety
This double degree provides you with the flexibility to explore a range of study areas to find that’s right for you. In the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), we offer 26 majors across the physical, natural and human sciences. In the Bachelor of Fine Arts, you can choose from seven specialisations to focus deeply on the creative field that matters to you.
Practical experience, here and overseas
We offer a range of internship opportunities (including the SCIF3199 Science Work Placement course) and international exchange opportunities with our industry partners. This degree also incorporates industry experiences such as exhibitions, screenings, studio internships, performances and ensembles.
Supervised research project
Your honours year is an integral part of the degree. It involves a supervised research project and, in some cases, advanced coursework. You’ll conduct original scientific investigations and analysis while developing your critical and integrative thinking.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study) plus one or more of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics.
Please note that acceptance into the Music specialisation requires you to audition. For more information, visit UNSW Music auditions.
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
Entry into the Honours program in Science is subject to academic performance and progression requirements. Students may exit the Advanced Science (Honours) program with a B Science award if they are unsuccessful in applying for entry into Honours.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Please note that acceptance into the Music specialisation requires you to audition. For more information, visit UNSW Music auditions.
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
Entry into the Honours program in Science is subject to academic performance and progression requirements. Students may exit the Advanced Science (Honours) program with a B Science award if they are unsuccessful in applying for entry into Honours.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
You must complete 240 Units of Credit (UOC), including 144 UOC for the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) and 96 UOC for the Bachelor of Fine Arts. Students undertaking a double degree do not take general education or free elective courses.
Your double degree includes the following components:
*If SCIF1131 plus your choice of science major requires less than 144 UOC, you’re required to complete additional science elective courses to meet the 144 UOC requirement for the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours).
Study the physical conditions and physical processes within the ocean such as waves, currents and tides, its interaction with the atmosphere and its role in climate. You’ll gain an understanding of the mathematical equations that describe fluid flow and how these are used in the context of the ocean. This major also explores ocean measurement and the numerical modelling of processes at various scales.
This major explores the laws of nature that govern the behaviour of the universe, from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the universe itself. It applies these laws to the solution of practical and theoretical problems and to the development of new technologies.
Study the structures of the human body. This major covers:
Develop technologies for analysing and interpreting genetic information. You’ll learn how to design and implement software for activities such as identifying cancer genes. This major covers the foundational disciplines of bioinformatics: biology, computing algorithms and mathematics and statistics.
Study the science of life. Biologists explore how living organisms function, grow, evolve and relate to one another and the environment in which they live. Your study will cover:
Explore the various biological processes used to make products and perform services. Biotechnology is used for:
Study the world from the ground up - from the sub-atomic, atomic and molecular to the spectacular. This major is designed for students who wish to specialise in the chemical sciences.
Explore the science of the Earth's climate. This major has an emphasis on understanding the dynamic processes within the atmosphere and oceans. This understanding has applications in climate and weather research, forecasting and environmental and resource management.
Gain a broad introduction to the science of the Earth's climate system. You’ll gain an understanding of the fundamentals of atmospheric science, oceanography and chemistry. You’ll also have the option of focusing your studies in areas such as climate and vegetation, hydrology, biology, biogeochemistry or environmental and resource management.
Explore the science of nature and the evolution of our planet. This major covers everything from the structure of natural crystals and formation of fossils to the powerful forces that drive earthquakes and volcanoes.
Explore how various organisms including mammals, invertebrates, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, plants and microbes interact with one another and with their environment.
In humans and all other species, genes influence every characteristic, from appearance to behaviour to disease. This major offers a general introduction to the discipline before delving into more specialised areas including molecular genetics, human genetics, plant and microbial molecular biology and conservation biology.
Study the Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. This major explores how natural and built environments function and change over time. Discover how these environments enhance or constrain human activity.
This major provides in-depth study of immunology, pathology and microbiology. It’ll prepare you to unlock better treatments and prevention strategies for immune-related illnesses. This major is particularly beneficial for students who want to pursue a career in the health sciences.
Explore all aspects of the marine environment, from biology to geology and the many sciences in between. This major can be studied with an emphasis on biology, earth sciences, climatology or oceanography.
Everything we use is made of materials, yet only a handful of these materials occur naturally. The rest have been microscopically engineered originally by nature, but increasingly by materials scientists and engineers. This major is the foundation for creating high-performance components and devices from metals, ceramics, polymers and composites for use in society.
Mathematics underpins all corners of science and technology and is a vibrant and fascinating field of study. Mathematics specialisations can be broadly categorised into the following:
Statistics can also be studied within a mathematics major or as a stand-alone major.
Study the smallest forms of life: bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. These fascinating organisms cause disease in humans, animals and plants and spoil our food. On the positive side, they also turn the biological wheels on Earth and are responsible for the sustainability of life.
Explore molecular structures, the processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction and development of living organisms. Cell biology studies the basic unit of life, the cell, including:
Molecular biology is a marriage of biochemistry, microbiology and cell biology.
Study the biological and behavioural aspects of the nervous system. The nervous system includes the:
This major is based on the neuroscience courses offered by the School of Psychology and UNSW’s Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology Departments.
Examine how and why diseases develop, what happens to our bodies when we’re ill and the effects of diseases. Pathology involves the study of diseases, such as infections and cancers, at the genetic, molecular, cellular and organ levels.
Explore the effect that drugs have on living tissues and the normal body functions of humans and animals. This major looks at the efficacy of drugs, the ability of the body to metabolise them and the toxicology/side effects of drugs.
This major is all about what makes human bodies work. Explore how the organs function, how humans grow and develop, how humans sustain bodily functions and what happens to these processes during disease and ageing.
Study human behaviour and mental processes. Psychology is a broad field that includes:
This major is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and satisfies the minimum requirement for provisional registration. It acts as the first step in the six-year pathway to becoming a registered psychologist.
This major provides comprehensive training in:
Third year electives allow you to further develop your statistical capabilities according to your own interests.
Study the sensory processes that underlie vision and vision-related technologies. This major covers:
This ground-breaking specialisation meets industry demand for content developers and creative practitioners. With work experience and intensive skills training in the latest technologies, you’ll graduate with crucial assets for the creative media industry.
Discover what's possible when your imagination comes alive in our custom studios. Innovative and industry-aligned, this specialisation empowers you to thrive as an artist. Learning from accomplished, industry-active media artists, producers, and theorists, you'll work with the latest creative ideas and production methods.
You'll choose to focus your skills on at least two of the following: animation, visual effects, moving image, sound, and 3D visualisation.
Build your skillset as you focus your studies on at least two of the following studio areas: animation, visual effects, moving image, sound, and 3D visualisation.
Starting with the essential elements of animated movement, you'll incorporate real-world physics into your animated sequences and experiment with 3D as you develop your animation portfolio and showreel.
Learn how to work with video to produce art, installations, experimental films, and cinema. Starting with digital video cameras, sound recording and editing software, you’ll develop shooting and editing skills as you explore different genres and studio production techniques.
Integrate computer-generated elements with live-action footage as you explore the creative possibilities of visual effects. Working hands-on with digital cameras, greenscreens, and the latest compositing software, you'll learn how to create and sequence content to capture audience attention.
Get hands-on in our sound studios and acoustic environments to create media artworks using sound-based techniques and processes. Develop skills and knowledge to create compelling soundscapes for screen-based projects as well as sound art for galleries and virtual and public spaces.
Delve into virtual worlds in our 3D studio and explore how to create virtual environments. Develop the skills and practices required to join a growing digital industry. Through hands-on experience, you'll gain 3D modelling and texturing skills, leading to virtual reality applications and real-time immersive platforms.
If you see yourself teaching graphics, multimedia technologies and visual arts to high school students, choose this specialisation in the Bachelor of Fine Arts / Education (Secondary) double degree.
Develop a deep understanding of the power of art to shape, influence, and reflect society. Dive into the histories and theories that inform contemporary art and culture – in Australia and internationally. Learn alongside artists, designers, curators, and writers and critically engage with the key debates of our times.
With a wide variety of topics available, you can choose courses and pathways to suits your interests. Develop your knowledge working with teachers who are recognised worldwide for their contribution to art and culture. Situated on our creative campus, you'll also take practical art classes and use creative facilities to gain hands-on experience in the studio, making and analysing art alongside the artists and designers of the future.
Explore career pathways by curating exhibitions, writing about art, working with artists, and learning from industry professionals. You’ll graduate with connections and essential skills that will help you thrive in your chosen career in the arts and creative industries.
In this specialisation, you’ll study a combination of compulsory and optional courses focused on the following themes:
Explore how artists have represented the body and how the social, cultural, and political dimensions of embodied experience can be understood through a diverse range of perspectives and practices.
Delve deep into questions about the roles and responsibilities of museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, gaining insights into histories and theories of exhibition practice – setting you up for your own future curatorial projects.
Like art, science and technology are fundamental forces shaping society. In this theme, you'll explore how artists and theorists engage with scientific data and new technologies to create social change.
Explore art's role in shaping society, culture, and politics in Australian and international contexts. By examining critical questions about how art gives voice to diverse perspectives, you’ll engage with the most important ideas and debates in Australian and international art.
Take your love of music to the next level as you reach professional musical standards and create with confidence. Our intellectually and artistically comprehensive classes will prepare you for a long career in music and a lifetime of music-making.
Please note that acceptance into this specialisation requires you to audition. For more information, visit UNSW Music auditions.
Develop your interests across a diverse range of musical genres under guidance from world-class performers and scholars. The music specialisation allows you to explore and perform classical, experimental, and modern music, music technology, electronic music, and studio recording. No matter what genre draws you in, you'll join a community of supportive and inspiring musicians who value creative, ethical, and cosmopolitan musical practices.
This specialisation includes one-to-one lessons and an array of ensemble classes. Learn professional and technical skills for performance along with theoretical musicology knowledge. Rehearse and perform in custom-built spaces with extensive support to hone your skills. After your first year, your skills will continue to develop through a flexible pathway, or with a focus on creative practice, music pedagogy or sonic arts.
Put your skills into practice and connect with industry professionals through our ensembles such as:
You can also choose to build connections and experiences through an industry internship and overseas study.
Devote more of your studies to performance, composition, and creation. Challenge your musical skills to develop and perform a specialised music style that demonstrates your technical and interpretive abilities. Develop your craft by collaborating with others in ensembles and one-to-one lessons. With support from mentors, lecturers, and teachers, you'll produce original performances, compositions, and recordings to showcase at public events.
Shape your individual style of teaching music to beginners, advanced students, children, and adults. You'll understand how to bring out the best in others by developing an objective approach to your own learning and performance skills. You'll make formal observations of expert teachers at work, get practical experience presenting specialist instrumental and vocal skills, and understand how teaching and learning fit within broader approaches to music education.
Blend ideas with practical skills to explore new sonic technologies and develop your future career in electronic arts. While exploring experimental compositions and recent music production trends, you'll work on projects that build your sound design, sequencing, mixing, editing and post-production skills. You'll combine audio with video and create immersive environments for multi-speaker and surround sound projects. Your learning will take place in our industry-standard recording studios and mixing spaces, and you will learn how to use specialist sonic arts software.
Immerse yourself in a creative, inclusive, and collaborative community of artists in this studio-based specialisation. Gain artistic skills for your practice through hands-on learning in our specialist studios, facilities, workshops, and galleries, ensuring you graduate with professional expertise that help you stand out.
Develop and combine practical skills across multiple studio areas as you acquire the creative, conceptual, and professional skills for your independent artistic practice. In your first year, experimentation is key as you expand your skills and knowledge in contemporary art practice. In the second year, you will focus your studies through at least two studio disciplines, choosing from drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and moving image. Hone your skills, refine your practice, create artworks for exhibitions, and build artistic networks as you explore industry pathways in your third year.
Throughout your studies, you’ll also learn about the histories and theories that inform contemporary art practice, gaining important analytical, communication and research skills, while critically examining key ideas and debates shaping today’s art and cultural fields.
Develop fundamental and exploratory skills in drawing to kick start your contemporary art practice. You’ll work from the human figure, experiment with a range of traditional and contemporary materials and extend your individual practice through rigorous creative approaches.
Challenge conventions as you explore diverse painting techniques and processes to test ideas and approaches in a critically informed studio environment. Engage with painting as a formal, material, and conceptual practice as you develop your individual artistic voice.
From analogue darkroom processes to studio lighting and the latest digital image techniques, you’ll develop diverse and transferable skills in the photography studio. Think critically and creatively as you work practically in the studio to explore the material and conceptual possibilities of contemporary photography.
Acquire technical skills in traditional and contemporary print methods across etching, relief printing, screen-printing, and digital processes in the printmaking studio. In this highly collaborative studio, you’ll engage with the latest ideas and debates to generate your own artworks in a contemporary printmaking environment.
Work sculpturally and spatially to create artworks at scale ready for exhibition contexts. In the sculpture studio, you’ll explore diverse materials and processes from assemblage to mould-making and casting as you consider the tactile, social, and embodied potentials of your practice.
Learn how to work with video to produce art, installations, experimental films, and cinema. Starting with digital video cameras, sound recording and editing software, you’ll develop shooting and editing skills as you explore different genres and studio production techniques.
Once you complete a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for further study at a postgraduate level. If you’d like further information about this degree and its learning outcomes have a look at our student handbook.
Our education provides the optimal balance of theoretical and hands-on learning to prepare you for tomorrow’s workforce. You’ll develop transferable skills that can be applied to almost any industry. You’ll gain a strong foundation in logical, analytical and critical thinking, and develop the professional and creative skills you’ll need to thrive throughout your career.
A double degree expands your career possibilities as you’ll have expertise across two (or more) fields. Both degrees offer a wide variety of majors and specialisations, which allow you to tailor your education to your career goals.
Psychologist
Pilot
Environmental scientist
Data scientist
Materials scientist
Clinical coder
Biotechnologist
Teacher
Neuroscientist
Genetic counsellor
Mathematician
Medical technician
Biologist
Food scientist
Laboratory technician
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.
Commonwealth Supported Place multiple Student Contribution Bands may apply for this double degree. See single degrees for the applicable fee bands.*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2024.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.