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Bachelor of Arts

UNSW Canberra
Educating leaders in Defence, government & industry
This degree is for domestic students only
Discover the past, learn a new language or study a different culture. Bring your ideas to life when you pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in a range of disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to international studies and history subjects.
Commencing Terms
Semester 1
Duration
3 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Canberra
Codes
UAC code 450001
Program code 4400
CRICOS code -
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2023 lowest selection rank
75 + Defence Selection
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$15,000*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$46,000*

Overview

The flexibility of a Bachelor of Arts degree allows you to pursue your interests and career aspirations across a range of disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, including languages, arts, history, philosophy and business. In whichever area you choose to study, you will develop transferable skills and in-depth knowledge, and gain the tools to think critically, communicate effectively and conduct independent research.

Why study at UNSW Canberra?

The UNSW Canberra School of Humanities and Social Sciences is recognised for its academic excellence in both research and teaching. We offer an outstanding higher education experience for our unique and diverse student population, with the best university teacher-to-student ratio in Australia. Our researchers and teaching staff are experts in their fields and are dedicated to developing future global leaders in defence and industry.  

UNSW Canberra at ADFA is home to several unique state-of-the-art facilities. When you study with us, you’ll have exclusive access to the UNSW Canberra Academy Library Special Collections. Items of national significance include more than 300 manuscript collections, 13,000 rare items and papers of the former Prime Minister John Howard. 

 

Program Code
4400
Campus
Canberra
UAC Code
450001
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
144
Indicative Enrolments
828.0

Want to see more from UNSW Canberra at ADFA?

Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank
75 + Defence Selection
2023 A levels
12 + Defence Selection
2023 IB Diploma
26 + Defence Selection
2023 Lowest ATAR
71.8
    1. The 2023 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023.
    2. The 2023 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2023 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2023 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • 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.

Additional Selection Criteria

Undergraduate entry to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is open to Australian residents who are members of the Australian Defence Force and selected members of overseas Armed Forces. Trainee Officers are selected by one of the three services (Navy, Army or Airforce) in the Australian Defence Force and must also meet academic entry requirements for UNSW Canberra at ADFA. Applying for ADFA is a dual application process. As selection for the Australian Defence Force is a competitive process, which can take up to 12 months, it is preferable that you apply to Defence Force Recruiting in Year 11. Visit this site for more information on both application processes.

Adjustment Factors


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.

Admission pathways


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. 

English language requirements

 

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.

Program structure

Arts degrees are flexible, allowing you to choose from a variety of study areas and keep your options open. The skills you develop in critical thinking, leadership, and management are transferable and will equip you for an exciting and fulfilling career in the Australian Defence Force within the Navy, Army or Air Force.

Study areas

  • The study of business broadly covers economics, accounting, management, and human resources, setting you up with fundamental skills to propel you into a successful career. By studying business, you’ll explore various key management skills and develop practical knowledge of strategy, leadership, effective decision-making, and other fundamental managerial concepts.

  • English and Media Studies sets you up with sophisticated knowledge of the world’s literary heritage and contemporary culture, spanning across classical heroic epics to contemporary social media. Throughout this major, you’ll ask yourself questions such as ‘how does language persuade and move us?’ and ‘how does culture respond to or imagine war?’.  

  • Geography is the study of both the physical and human environments that we live in, encompassing the interactions we experience day-to-day with nature and other people. Through the use of techniques like Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, geography enables us to analyse our environment and society, bridging the gap between social and natural sciences.

  • History seeks to understand individual and group behaviour and explain the forces that have shaped human civilisation through social change, wars, revolutions, and popular movements. Historical analysis examines the relationships between past events and the present, providing you with fundamental skills in how to assimilate and weight evidence, analyse problems, and balance different points of view.

  • Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important neighbouring countries. Indonesian studies will help you develop the ability to read, write, speak, and understand the standard Indonesian language, while also exposing you to a broad overview of Indonesian society and culture. No prior Indonesian knowledge is required.

  • International & Political Studies (IPS) involves the study of power and norms in a dynamic and rapidly changing global environment. IPS aims to cover the major factors, ideas and key issues of domestic, regional, and global politics, international relations, and ethical thought, all of which have a profound impact on Australia’s national security and place in the world. 

Full program structure

Potential careers

  • Maritime aviation warfare officer
  • Helicopter pilot
  • Intelligence officer
  • Logistics officer
  • Air combat officer (mission aircrew)
  • Human resource manager

How to apply

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.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$15,000*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$46,000*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4

*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.


  • Top 20
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2024.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

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