Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor Laws

The final intake of students into the Bachelor of Art/ Bachelor of Laws program took place in 2007. From 2008 no further intake of first year students into this degree program will occur.

See the handbook of the year you commenced your BA for the requirements of the major - https://psc.unimelb.edu.au/

Students interested in studying Arts or Law may find information on the Future Students Website.

The Bachelor of Arts has as its objectives that graduates:

• can demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of selected fields of studies in the humanities, languages and social and behavioural sciences;
• can access and appreciate national and international debates in their areas of study;
• can demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
• can apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within a changing social context;
• can act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force;
• can communicate effectively an,in the case of those students undertaking a language major, are able to read, write and speak another language with fluency and appreciate its cultural context;
• qualify for employment in a wide range of occupations;
• have a continuing committment to learning;
• are proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies, such as the computer and other IT systems, for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of data.

Students completing the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws degrees you must complete subjects from both degrees to a minimum of 500 points or five full time years of study. Each degree component requires the completion of both an minimum and maximum number of points from each faculty within the total of 500 points. No subject can be counted towards both degrees.

A combined degree involves completing fewer subjects or points than is both degrees were completed separately.

You cannot be awarded one component of your combined degree upon completion of the minimum requirements for that component. In other words, you must complete all the requirements for both components before you are eligiable to graduate from either. If you discontinue either component of your combined course, you must complete the full requirements of the remaining degree (ie. the full amount of points required for the remaining single degree, for example 300 points for the BA).

You are expected to be familiar with the course requirements of both of the components of your degree, for course regulations see the handbook of the year you commenced your BA for the requirements of the major - https://psc.unimelb.edu.au/

All students are required to complete 200 points of Arts subjects of which;

• 50 points must be taken at first year level;
• 75 points must be taken at second year level and;
• 75 points must be taken at third year level.

As well as the completion of 200 points of BA study, four further basic rules apply;

• breadth of study requirements:

No more than 150 points may taken in any one area of study. This consists of a maximum of 25 points at first year level and 125 points at second/third year level.

• subject year level entry requirements:
  

Level one subjects: Most level one subjects do not have prerequisites apart from admission to a degree or diploma course. However, some language streams require the completion of VCE or IB language study and/or completion of a placement test. This must be done before you enrol. Level one subjects are not available to students enrolled in fourth-year honours, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, or masters programs. Level one subjects cannot be credited to level two or three of the BA or BA combined degrees.

Level two subjects Students should complete the level one requirements of their degree before enrolling in a level two subject. Students must complete at least 50 points of level one (four subjects) in order to enrol in a level two or two/three subject. Level two subjects are not available to students enrolled in fourth-year honours, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, or masters programs. Level two subjects cannot be credited to level one or three of the BA or BA combined degrees.

Level three subjects Students should complete the level two requirements of their degree before enrolling in a level three subject. Students must complete at least 25 points of level two (usually two subjects) in order to enrol in a level three subject. Level three subjects are not available to students enrolled in fourth-year honours, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, or masters programs. Level three subjects cannot be credited to level one or two of the BA or BA combined degrees.

Level four subjects are not available to students enrolled in undergraduate degrees, concurrent certificates, concurrent diplomas, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas or one-year masters programs. Level five subjects are not available to students enrolled in undergraduate degrees, concurrent certificates, concurrent diplomas, graduate certificates, or graduate diplomas.

Subject level rules apply to students in combined Arts degrees.

• language study restrictions:

The study of languages is encouraged in BA combined degrees, and language learning can be one outcome of the arts component, which allows for study of one language. As the BA also seeks to provide a broad base of learning in the humanities and social sciences, therefore a second language is not permitted for credit within the arts component of BA combined degrees.

• arts-approved subject requirements:

All arts subjects undertaken in the BA must be from the following arts-approved study areas. Non-arts approved subjects cannot be completed in a combined degree, even if they are included as part of a major.

American studies
Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Anthropology
Art History
Asian Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Australian Indigenous Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Australian Studies
Cinema Studies
Classical studies and Archaeology
Creative Writing
Criminology
Cultural Studies
Development Studies (some non-art approved subjects included)
English Literary Studies
English as a Second Language
English Language Studies
Environmental Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
European Studies
Gender Studies
Geography
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
History
History and Philosophy of Science
International Studies
Islamic Studies
Linguisitics and Applied Linguistics
Philosophy
Planning and Design
Political Science
Psychology
Social Theory
Socio-legal Studies
Sociology
Theatre Studies

All students are responsible for planning a course that satisfies course requirements.

There is no further entry into this combined course.

The Bachelor of Arts requires a standard level of ability across all disciplines. It will be assumed students are able to access and attend classes on a regular basis, are capable of learning in a University environment and will be able to take responsibility for their own learning. Any ability beyond this threshold will be robustly supported through the curriculum. There are no pre-requisites for first year subjects, and any intensive use of IT or technologies will be adequately supported. Certain subjects have more specific requirements and demands, such as fieldwork or travelling, which are clearly outlined in the subject description.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. The Faculty Disability Contact Officer works with students, the University Disability Liaison Unit and teaching staff to assist students with their special requirements, with a particular focus on accommodations for in-class and examination assessment tasks. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

Honours

Depending on your major area of study, you have the option of applying for an Honours program after you complete the BA, which will include a research project. For more information on entry to Honours, see the Arts webpage.

Coursework Masters

For more information on entry into a coursework masters degree, see the Arts coursework programs webpage, or the University graduate programs webpage.

Research Higher Degrees

If you wish to undertake advanced research and explore particular study areas in more depth, there will be opportunities to proceed to a range of Research Higher Degrees at masters and doctoral level. For more information about research higher degree study in Arts, see the Arts webpage.

The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares well-rounded graduates who are academically outstanding, practically grounded and socially responsible. Melbourne's graduates are distinguished by their broad outlook and openness to different perspectives.

Melbourne's degrees develop research and reasoning skills that equip graduates to be influential citizens with high leadership potential. The University's graduates engage with national and global issues and are attuned to social and cultural diversity. They have high levels of self-awareness and value their personal integrity and well-being.

Academic distinction

A Melbourne degree provides graduates with in-depth knowledge of their specialist disciplines and skills in examining issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives. Melbourne graduates are critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills. They can apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems in a range of contexts and are effective oral and written communicators.

The Melbourne educational experience prepares graduates to be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders. Melbourne graduates bring research and inquiry skills to challenges in their workplaces and communities. They are adept lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints.

Active citizenship

Melbourne graduates have engaged with contemporary local, national and global issues and developed an appreciation of the Asian region. They have a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment. Melbourne graduates are aware of the social and cultural diversity in communities and can work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In particular, they have an understanding of and deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values.

The Melbourne experience supports a commitment to civic service in graduates' lives and careers, equipping them to be active, well-informed citizens who make substantial contributions to society. Graduates have the potential to be leaders in their professions and communities, with the capacity to work effectively across disciplines and cultures. Through advocacy and innovation they are able to lead change for a sustainable future.

Integrity and self-awareness

Melbourne graduates are motivated, self-directed and well-organised, with the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities. They are able to work effectively both independently and in groups. They are also highly self-aware and reflective, with skills in self-assessment, and place great importance on their personal and professional integrity.

The opportunities offered by the Melbourne experience help prepare graduates who are enthusiastic, self-assured and confident of their knowledge, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their limitations. Melbourne's graduates are willing to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes. They have empathy and concern for the welfare of others and can manage their own well-being