Diploma in Arts/Bachelor of ArtsApproved Abbreviation: DipArts/BA
Western Sydney University Course Code: 6005.2
AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 096969D
Course Status: CONTINUING
This version of the course is available only to continuing or completing students.
Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is Term 2, 2018 or later.
For Commencement Year Term 2 2017 to Term 1 2018, please refer to 6005.1 - Diploma in Arts/Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts offers students an opportunity to develop a depth of disciplinary expertise together with the breadth of vision afforded by cross-disciplinary approaches to the humanities. Study in the Bachelor of Arts is designed to develop communication and personal skills, creativity and a capacity for independent thought, adaptability to new situations and problem-solving skills, attributes increasingly demanded by employers. Bachelor of Arts graduates find employment in diverse areas including: communication and media industries; education; psychology and counselling; cultural, political and social policy analysis; writing and publishing. The Bachelor of Arts is a three-year degree designed to provide knowledge and generic skills that form the basis for lifelong learning.
The first year of this course is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Arts exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the course.
For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.
Western Sydney University, The College
For course advice during your first year of study, please use the contact below under ‘Course Advice’. For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Arts.
Bachelor of Arts
Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.
Course Advice
Admission
For more information on applying please see link to The College admission pages below.
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thecollege/how_to_apply
Domestic students are required to have
- Completed an English unit in the NSW Higher School Certificate, Or
- Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker) Or
- Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or
- Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher.
Met other entry requirements such as
- An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, Or
- Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.
International students must satisfy one of the following language requirements
- IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each sub band Or
- Completed the College EAP 4 course with a 50% pass Or
- Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or
- Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher for which advanced standing can be applied for.
Academic Entry Requirements vary according to country of origin. However, in general
- Completion of Year 12 or its equivalent is the minimum entry requirement Or
- Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.
Course Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 270 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.
Western Sydney University The College Units
Nirimba, Bankstown, Parramatta City (George Street) and Penrith Campus
Please note that all campuses may not have intakes each year.
Year 1
Preparatory Units
Students must pass the following three preparatory level units
| 700056 | Academic English (WSTC Prep) |
| 700211 | Academic Skills for Arts (WSTC Prep) |
| 700192 | Texts and Communication (WSTC Prep) |
University Level Units
Students must pass the following University level units
| 700131 | Analytical Reading and Writing (WSTC) |
| 700130 | Australia and the World (WSTC) |
| 700132 | Contemporary Society (WSTC) |
| 700288 | Introduction to Literary Studies (WSTC) |
| 700133 | Texts and Traditions (WSTC) |
Choose one of
| 700268 | Introduction to International Relations (WSTC) |
| 700137 | Mathematical Patterns and Relationships (WSTC) |
Students may exit at this point and graduate with the Diploma in Arts following a passing grade in all of the above units. Students who progress onto Year Two may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the above units.
- Students must pass all College Preparatory units before progressing to the Year Two units.
- Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level units in Year One before progressing to the Year Two units.
In order to ensure that Bachelor of Arts student meet the course requirements, all students must seek advice from their Academic Course Advisor when transitioning to the second year of their course.
Western Sydney University Units
For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Arts.
Bachelor of Arts
Bankstown, Parramatta (Victoria Road) and Penrith Campus
First Specialisation
Students must successfully complete an 80 credit point major from the list below (see First Specialisations)
Second Specialisation and Electives
Students must complete 80 credit points, by completing
Either
- a 40 credit point Arts sub-major in a different specialisation to their major from the list of Second Specialisations below, and
- 40 credit points of elective units
Or
- a second 80 credit point Arts major in a different specialisation to their first major from the list of Second Specialisations below
First Specialisation
Note: Not all majors are available on all campuses.
Note: The following majors and sub-majors have inherent requirements; Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, and Japanese. Please see the link below to the Inherent Requirements page:
Inherent Requirements
| M1069 | Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| M1052 | Cultural and Social Analysis |
| M1071 | Geography and Urban Studies |
| M1077 | Heritage and Tourism |
| M1054 | History and Political Thought |
| M1041 | Indigenous Australian Studies |
| M2514 | Innovation and Change |
| M1108 | International English |
Please note: M1108 International English has been replaced by M1129 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in M1108 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.
| M1129 | International English |
| M1055 | International Relations and Asian Studies |
| M2512 | Organisations and Work |
| M1083 | Peace and Development Studies |
| M1110 | Psychological Studies |
Second Specialisations
All students must complete a second specialisation from the list below.
Note: Not all Arts majors and sub-majors are available on all campuses
Majors
| M1052 | Cultural and Social Analysis |
| M1054 | History and Political Thought |
| M1041 | Indigenous Australian Studies |
| M1108 | International English |
Please note: M1108 International English has been replaced by M1129 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in M1108 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.
| M1129 | International English |
| M1055 | International Relations and Asian Studies |
| M1110 | Psychological Studies |
Sub-majors
| SM1070 | Cultural and Social Analysis |
| SM1072 | History and Political Thought |
| SM1049 | Indigenous Australian Studies |
Please note: SM1120 International English has been replaced by SM1132 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1120 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.
| SM1073 | International Relations and Asian Studies |
| SM1047 | Music Performance Studies |
Recommended Full-time Sequence
Year 2
Autumn session
First Specialisation unit
First Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Spring session
First Specialisation unit
First Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Year 3
Autumn session
First Specialisation unit
First Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Spring session
First Specialisation unit
First Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Elective or Second Specialisation unit
Sub-major Elective Spaces
Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).
Search for sub-majors
Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major
Students can apply for an elective sub-major via MySR.
MyStudentRecords (MySR)