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Search : Index : Faculty of Arts
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5. Bachelor of Arts
5.1. BA course objectives
5.2. BA course requirements
5.2.1. The basic rules
5.2.2. What are points?
5.2.3. Language study points
5.2.4. What are year levels?
5.2.5. Third-year subjects and postgraduate scholarships
5.2.6. Year-level entry requirements
5.2.7. What are prerequisites and corequisites?
5.2.7.1. Area of study prerequisites
5.2.7.2. Corequisites
5.2.8. Breadth of study requirements
5.2.9. Arts-approved subject requirement
5.2.9.1. Which subjects are arts-approved?
5.2.10. Subjects offered from outside the Faculty of Arts
5.2.11. Studying subjects at other universities
5.2.12. Exchange agreement with Melbourne College of Divinity (MCD)
5.3. Planning your BA course
5.3.1. What is an area of study?
5.3.2. Choosing areas of study and subjects
5.3.3. What is the relationship between areas of study and departments?
5.3.4. What is a major?
5.3.5. Language majors
5.3.6. Do I have to complete a major?
5.3.7. What can I major in?
5.3.8. Majoring in two areas of study
5.3.9. BA study with two majors
5.3.10. Subject choices after first year
5.3.10.1. Completing additional first-year level study
5.3.11. What is an interdepartmental program?
5.3.12. Linked subjects
5.3.13. Special entry and quota subjects
5.3.14. Skills-based subjects
5.3.14.1. Skills subjects limitations
5.3.15. Workplace skills
5.3.16. Summer Semester
5.3.17. Winter intensive subjects
5.3.18. Language study
5.3.18.1. The School of Languages
5.3.18.2. Language streams
5.3.18.3. Language corequisite subjects
5.3.18.4. Language majors
5.3.18.5. Example of a BA with a language major
5.3.18.6. Studying languages at other universities
5.3.18.7. Studying languages overseas
5.3.18.8. Summer intensive beginners subjects
5.3.18.9. Horwood Language Centre
5.3.18.10. Diploma in Modern Languages
5.3.19. Further requirements for the BA
5.3.19.1. Can I study part time?
5.3.19.2. How long can I take to complete my degree?
5.3.19.3. Studying overseas for credit
5.3.19.4. Taking more than 50 points in a semester (overloading)
5.3.19.5. Taking extra subjects (over-enrolment)
5.3.19.6. Taking leave of absence
5.3.19.7. Can I repeat a subject if I fail?
5.3.19.8. What if I fail a significant part of my studies?
5.3.20. Subject changes, course planning and re-enrolment
5.3.20.1. Resumption of course
5.3.21. Credit
5.3.21.1. Credit for previous tertiary studies toward the BA
5.3.21.2. Credit towards BA combined degrees
5.3.21.3. Programs for high-achieving students
The Bachelor of Arts course has as its objectives that graduates:
can demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study 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 and, 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 commitment 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.
An ordinary BA degree requires the completion of:
300 points of study with (usually) eight subjects per year (four subject or 50 points per semester) at each year level
Students should ensure that they complete 100 points at each of first, second and third year levels. However, students who, at the end of their first year, wish to commence study in a new area may choose to enrol in a maximum of 25 additional points of first-year level subjects (and fewer second-year level subjects), see Completing additional first-year level study.
As well as the completion of 300 points of BA study, three further basic rules apply:
year-level entry requirements (see Year-level entry requirements)
breadth of study requirements (see Breadth of study requirements)
arts-approved subject requirement (see Arts-approved subject requirement)
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that s/he enrols in the correct number of subjects at the appropriate year level and within the rules outlined above to meet the requirements of her/his degree.
The points value of a subject depends on its year level, length and the workload involved. A standard single semester subject is worth 12.5 points. Students usually complete four subjects (50 points) in each semester of study.
Some single semester subjects are worth 25 points. Preparation and assessment for these subjects involves twice the workload of a 12.5 point subject.
Some language study requires the completion of a 12.5 point subject and an additional 6.25 point corequisite subject, amounting to 18.75 points of study in each semester. In such cases, two semesters of language study are equivalent to three semesters of non-language study (ie. 2 x 12.5 points + 2 x 6.25 points = 3 x 12.5 points). See Language study for more details about language study.
Each subject entry in this Handbook indicates the year level to which the subject can be credited. Subjects are usually offered at the following year levels:
first year only
second/third year
third year only
third/fourth year
fourth year only
Some language subjects are also offered at:
first and second year
first, second and third year
second, third and fourth year1
You should ensure that you complete 100 points at first year level, 100 points at second year level and 100 points at third year level.
Students who intend to study beyond fourth year to the MA or PhD should keep in mind that results achieved in their third-year level subjects will be taken into account if they apply for a postgraduate scholarship.
Many arts subjects are available at both second- and third-year level. However, a maximum of 100 points may be undertaken at third-year level. Students who plan to continue to higher degree study after the completion of an honours year, or after a postgraduate diploma, should ensure appropriate year-level allocation of their second/third-year level subjects.
The year level allocated to a second/third year subject cannot be changed once the HECS census date for that subject has passed. See HECS census date.
The following rules apply for entry into second/third-year subjects, third-year subjects, third/fourth-year subjects, and fourth-year subjects.
Students must complete at least 50 points of first year (four subjects) in order to enrol in a second/third year subject.
Students must complete at least 25 points of second/third year (two subjects) in order to enrol in a third year subject.
Students must complete at least 37.5 points of second/third-year (usually three subjects) in order to enrol in a third/fourth-year subject at third-year level. Students must meet the conditions for entry to a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in order to enrol in a third/fourth-year subject at fourth-year level.
Students must meet the conditions for entry to a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in order to enrol in a fourth-year subject.
Entry into some first-year subjects and most second- and third-year subjects requires the successful completion of specified prior (prerequisite) study in the relevant area. For example, some streams of language require the completion of VCE language study.
Because subjects offered at second- and third-year are designed to build on study completed at first year, they generally have prerequisite requirements. The prerequisite for entry to second/third year in any given area of study is usually 25 points of first-year study in that area, although there are many exceptions to this rule.
Students will find detailed information about prerequisites in the introductory section of each area of study in this Handbook. Each separate subject entry also provides prerequisite details which either repeat the area of study's prerequisite information as it applies to that subject or specifies the particular prior study requirements for enrolment in that subject.
Some subjects (usually languages) require concurrent enrolment in another subject with related content (a corequisite subject). These subjects cannot be taken without an appropriate corequisite enrolment.
When choosing your subjects, you should be aware that in order to encourage you to study widely, there are limitations to the number of points you can complete in any single area of study over each year level. They are:
A maximum of 50 points (usually four subjects) in any one area of study
A maximum of 175 points (usually 14 subjects) in any one area of study
These maximums are proportionally reduced for BA combined degrees where students are required to complete fewer subjects towards the Arts component of the combined degree. For more details, see How do combined arts degrees work?.
The BA degree requires that you complete a minimum number of points in arts-approved subjects.
All of the subjects offered by departments and schools within the Faculty of Arts are arts-approved. Some areas of study which may be taken in the BA, however, are offered by other faculties within the University or other institutions. In these cases only some of the subjects on offer are arts-approved.
Subjects taught by the School of Creative Arts are not usually available for credit towards the BA or other arts courses outside the SCA. However, a limited subjects in art history, cinema studies, visual arts, theatre studies and creative writing have been approved for cross-listing for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Creative Arts, see Theatre Studies and Creative writing subjects in the BA. Only subjects that have already been approved for cross-listing are permitted.
Students who are currently enrolled in the BA who wish to complete subjects for which they will not receive credit in their course should enrol in such subjects through CAP. For further details see Community Access Program (CAP).
Of the 300 points required for the BA degree, at least 150 points must be in arts-approved subjects. They must be distributed as follows:
At least 50 points of arts-approved subjects
At least 100 points of arts-approved subjects
All language subjects are arts-approved. All subjects offered within the following areas of study are arts-approved (unless indicated otherwise). See the area of study entry for details:
Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Asian Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Development Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Environmental Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Theatre Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Provided they meet the arts-approved subject requirement, and any specific subject prerequisites, BA students (but not BA combined degree students) are able to complete selected subjects offered by other faculties within the University. Apart from individual non-Arts approved subjects included in the areas above, subjects are also available from:
Students should note that a restricted selection of subjects within these areas of study is available for credit towards the BA. In some cases a three-year sequence or even a major and honours program of study is available, while others are limited to first-year study only.
Students enrolled in combined arts degrees (eg. arts/law, arts/engineering) are not permitted to enrol in subjects offered within these areas of study.
For details of the particular subjects that are available to arts students, refer to the relevant area of study entries in the arts section of this Handbook.
On rare occasions, permission is granted for study from non-arts areas of study other than those listed above. Students requesting such permission must have an excellent academic record and strong academic reasons to take subjects from outside the standard arts program.
Enrolment in individual subjects at other Australian universities is available to high-achieving students−those with at least an H2B average grade across their course−who wish to take a subject from an area of study not offered at the University of Melbourne towards their degree. This is called complementary course study. It requires the approval of the Faculty of Arts as well as permission from the relevant university.
The Faculty of Arts has formal complementary course arrangements with other universities that offer languages not taught at the University of Melbourne. These include La Trobe University and Monash University. In some cases classes may be held at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus.
Arrangement for complementary course enrolment must be made at the beginning of the year in which you wish to enrol in the subject/s concerned. Application forms are available from the Faculty of Arts office and further enquiries should be directed to the faculty course adviser for complementary course studies. See also Studying languages at other universities.
The University of Melbourne has established a student exchange agreement with the Melbourne College of Divinity (MCD). Arts students may be enrolled in subjects offered by the MCD and MCD students may be enrolled in subjects offered by the Faculty of Arts.
The minimum academic requirement for an Arts student to study on exchange is an average grade of at least H2B (70%) across all subjects attempted as part of her/his course. In addition, applicants must ensure that they have sufficient space in their degree to accommodate credit for studies completed on exchange. Applicants must also comply with other normal course requirements set out by her/his home institution.
Before undertaking an exchange program, Arts students must arrange a credit contract with the Faculty of Arts. The Associate Dean determines how many points the MCD subjects are worth in terms of credit and at what year level the credit will be granted. You must sign the credit contract before you go on exchange for guaranteed credit. MCD students should contact the exchange program coordinator (details below) for advice on credit arrangements.
All enquiries and applications for Arts students wishing to study at the MCD as an exchange student should be directed to Stephanie Morgan, Faculty of Arts Secretariat, Room 105, Ground Floor, Old Arts Building, telephone +61 3 8344 8032. MCD students wishing to study in the Faculty of Arts as an exchange student should contact Dr Matthew Martin, Director of Studies, Melbourne College of Divinity, 21 Highbury Grove, Kew 3101, telephone +61 3 9853 3177.
The BA is an extremely flexible degree allowing you to select subjects from a wide variety of areas of study. In particular, the first year of the degree provides an opportunity to complete subjects from a broad selection of areas. You are encouraged to choose at least four different areas of study in your first year (two semester subjects per area of study) in order to have a wider range of options at second and third year. Students in combined arts degrees would normally enrol in two different areas of study at first year level. In the later years of the degree, you can choose to continue to enrol in a wide range of subjects or to begin to specialise (or major) in an area of study of particular interest.
An area of study is a grouping of subjects belonging to a particular discipline or interdisciplinary field. Within the BA degree you can choose from more than 70 different areas of study offered by departments, schools, and centres within the Faculty of Arts, and by some other faculties within the University.
It is important to plan your BA degree from the first year. All students are responsible for planning a course that satisfies course requirements. See What are my responsibilities as a student?.
You need to be aware, for instance, that most areas of study offer majors. Some, such as Astronomy, offer subjects at first year only that can supplement your main program of study. Some areas include subjects that involve overseas study. While most areas of study offer a sequence of study beginning at first year, you need to know that some interdepartmental programs are available from second year only (see What is an interdepartmental program?).
A variety of different departments, schools and centers within the Faculty of Arts teach and administer various areas of study (see Arts departments, schools and centres). Sometimes the relationship between an area of study and a department is very straightforward; for instance, the Department of Philosophy offers philosophy subjects only. Increasingly, however, departments, schools and centres within the Faculty of Arts are responsible for more than one area of study. The Department of English, for instance, teaches English (ie. literary studies), Creative Writing, and Cultural Studies.
You should also refer to the For more information section of any given area of study in this Handbook. There you will find the full contact and address details of the administering department or school.
A major is a specialisation in an area of study, requiring the completion of a specified number of subjects at each year level.
A major requires the completion of 112.5 points of study. It usually comprises:
25 points (usually two subjects) at first-year level;
37.5 points (usually three subjects) at second-year level;
50 points (usually four subjects) at third-year level.
Some areas of study simply require 25 points (two subjects) at first year level and 87.5 points (seven subjects) at second and/or third year level.
Some areas of study have compulsory subjects that you must complete in order to fulfil the requirements for that major. You should check major requirements in each area of study entry in this Handbook to ensure that you are aware of what is required.
A language major requires the completion of 125 points of study from first year to third year, not the regular 112.5 points required for other majors, see Language majors.
You do not have to complete a major in an arts degree, but you are advised to consider both the career and further study advantages of completing one or more formal areas of specialisation within your degree. When you finish your studies, the formal transcript of your results will include acknowledgement of the major/s you have completed. If you wish to continue with fourth-year honours study you are required to have completed a major within the relevant area/s of study.
The completion of more than two majors is not possible or permitted.
Most areas of study offer a major. Detailed information on majors can be found at the beginning of each area's entry in this Handbook. There you will also find information on areas of studies offering honours programs, which build upon major study.
If you plan to complete two majors within your degree, it pays to choose areas of study that complement each other, allowing you to bring different kinds of expertise to bear upon each field of interest.
In particular, language study is recommended as an area of specialisation in itself, or as a means of enhancing your expertise in a particular field of interest. For instance, a major in Italian would enhance studies in Renaissance art history, just as Ancient Greek or Latin complements the study of classics and archaeology. See Language study.
Subjects may not be counted towards more than one major. Students wishing to complete two majors should note that they need to complete two separate majors with no overlap in subjects.
The following table charts the progress of a BA degree with majors in history and cinema studies, where geography and English subjects have also been completed.
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This table shows how a standard BA might comprise four areas of study at first year, three areas of study at second year, and specialisations in two areas of study at third year.
At second- and third-year level many additional areas of study become available. In most cases, these areas of study form part of interdepartmental programs that their own requirements for entry, see What is an interdepartmental program?.
Students should also note that some languages can be studied at beginners level in either first or second year.
This option is not available to students enrolled in BA combined degrees.
Students who have already completed 100 points of first-year study in the regular 300-point BA and find that they want to take extra first-year subjects in order to broaden their second/third-year study options may do so. In such cases, students may complete a maximum of two additional first-year subjects (25 points) from a new area of study, thereby completing a total of 125 points of first-year subjects within the overall total of 300 points for their degree. In other words, students choosing this option will enrol in 125 points of first-year subjects, a maximum of 75 points of second-year subjects, and 100 points of third-year subjects. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they enrol in the correct number of subjects at the appropriate year level to meet the requirements of the degree. See also Taking extra subjects (over-enrolment) and Third-year subjects and postgraduate scholarships.
Interdepartmental or ID programs (IDPs) are specialised interdisciplinary areas of study which represent some of the newest developments in the social sciences and humanities. These include environmental studies, cultural studies, Islamic studies, social theory and gender studies.
The Faculty of Arts offers 17 IDPs to BA students. Each program is housed in a parent department or school within the faculty. IDPs enable you to incorporate subjects from a range of other areas of study into a focused program of major study. For instance, the Asian studies program includes Asia-focused subjects from history, anthropology, economics, geography, Indonesian studies, Chinese studies, etc.
In this way IDPs offer particularly flexible and exciting paths for major study. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with IDPs that touch upon their academic interests, and to plan well in advance for entry. Some IDPs, such as development studies, begin in first year and have no prerequisites. Some, like European studies or social theory, are available from second year, or in the case of cultural studies are formally available from second year but include subjects that are recommended for study at first year. Similarly, major requirements vary from program to program. Some include compulsory subjects, while others, such as Asian studies and medieval studies, require or recommend concurrent language study.
For full details on each IDP consult the relevant entries in this Handbook.
Some first-year and second/third-year subjects are offered as linked semester subjects. Usually a student will enrol in both the Semester 1 and Semester 2 parts of linked subjects. While it is possible to enrol in the first semester subject only, students require special permission to take a second semester linked subject without completing its first semester counterpart.
Some subjects (eg. creative writing subjects) have special entry requirements which you must fulfil in order to enrol.
Quota subjects (such as Summer Semester intensive languages) have a limited number of places available and students are selected according to academic merit.
Each subject entry will detail any special requirements and the Faculty of Arts office can advise you on how to apply for special entry and quota subjects.
Several arts areas of study offer skills subjects designed to develop study and career skills. Skills-based subjects involve study skills in areas such as computer applications, communications skills, English as a second language, or through subjects designed to aid in the transition from tertiary study to the workplace such as work placements or internships.
Students may take a maximum of three skills subjects for credit towards their arts degree and no more than two of these may be taken at second/third year.
The following subjects are designed to be taken in conjunction with core academic content subjects offered as part of an arts degree. The limits described above are imposed on the number of these subjects that students can take as part of the BA and other arts degrees.
| Subjects that focus on specific skills development | |
|---|---|
| First year | |
| 103-100 Computer Applications | |
| First, second or third year | |
| 175-120 Advanced ESL 1* | |
| 175-121 Advanced ESL 2* | |
| 175-122 Exploring Style and Meaning in Language* | |
| 175-124 Spoken Interaction* | |
| 175-134 Project Based Communication Skills | |
| Second and/or third year | |
| 103-002 Internet Applications | |
| 103-006 Multimedia Authoring | |
| 175-210 Business and Management Writing | |
| 175-211 Technical Writing | |
* Students undertaking two of these 12.5-point ESL subjects within the BA are permitted to enrol in one 25-point internship program, a total of 50 points.
The Faculty offers several subjects designed to help students to bridge the gap between study and the workplace. Along with the subjects above, the subjects listed below are included in the limitation of skills subjects. BA students who have not completed a skills subject at first year level may be permitted to enrol in a maximum of two (25-point) internship programs at second and/or third year. See Skills-based subjects for more information.
| Subjects that focus on workplace skills development | |
|---|---|
| Second and/or third year | |
| 100-310 Media & Communications Internship (25 points) | |
| 166-013 Parliamentary Internship (25 points) | |
| 166-043 Public Affairs Internship (25 points) | |
| 166-089 Sociology Internship (25 points) | |
| 166-453 Executive Internship (25 points) | |
| 175-210 Business and Management Writing | |
| 175-211 Technical Writing | |
| 175-300 Managing Work and Projects | |
Several arts subjects are available during the Summer Semester which runs from early January to late February. Please note that many of the following subjects that commence in Summer Semester have strict prerequisites that you must meet in order to be eligible to enrol.
Subjects offered in the Summer Semester have strict enrolment deadlines. Any enrolment in, or withdrawal from, a Summer Semester subject must be made in line with HECS census dates for the Summer Semester. For more information HECS census dates for summer subjects see, HECS census date.
Excluding those students who enrol in a 37.5-point intensive beginners language subject, arts students may not enrol in more than 25 points (usually two subjects) in the Summer Semester.
Some arts departments teach subjects in intensive mode during the Winter Recess in June and/or July. Please note that several of these subjects have strict prerequisites that you must meet in order to be eligible to enrol.
| Subjects taught during the Winter Recess | |
|---|---|
| Second/third year | |
| 131-018 Searching for the American Dream (25 points) | |
| 131-044 Medieval and Renaissance Nuremberg (25 points) (not available 2004) | |
| 131-057 Twentieth-Century Britain (not available 2004) | |
| 131-212 Screening the Holocaust | |
| 175-044 Conflict, Culture and Language | |
| 760-224 Media Production: Video | |
| Third/fourth year | |
| 107-444 Art Museums in Melbourne | |
| 191-417 Corporate and White Collar Crime | |
| 191-428 Crime and Culture | |
| 191-434 Victims | |
| 191-520 Compliance, Regulation & Crime | |
It is recommended that students consider taking a language other than English as part of their BA degree.
The study of languages is encouraged in the BA degree, and language learning can be one outcome of the BA, which allows for extended study of two languages. Because the degree also seeks to provide a broad base of learning in humanities and social sciences, a third language is not normally permitted for credit within the BA degree.2 The concurrent Diploma in Modern Languages provides further opportunities for additional language study.
The School of Languages was founded in 1993 and has established a world-wide reputation for the teaching, research and promotion of language study. The school has a strong commitment to innovation and excellence in teaching with an emphasis on communicative competence and the use of state-of-the-art language learning technology. The social and cultural context of communication is an important aspect of the courses. The school also encompasses linguistics and applied linguistics, providing useful analytical skills for language learning. Language courses at the University of Melbourne aim to serve the student body across all disciplines including the scientific, technological and professional faculties.
Most languages are offered in a variety of streams, from beginners to more advanced levels. Your stream enrolment depends on your previous language experience and is determined by the relevant department.
Refer to the individual language entries in this Handbook for detailed information about available streams of study and procedures for stream enrolment.
Some language study requires the completion of a 12.5 point subject and an additional 6.25 point corequisite subject, amounting to 18.75 points of study in each semester. In such cases, two semesters of language study is equivalent to three semesters of non-language study (ie. 2 x 12.5 points + 2 x 6.25 points = 3 x 12.5 points). See Arts degree with majors in Arabic and political science for an example of how this might affect the distribution of subjects across first and second year.
A language major usually requires the completion of 125 points of study comprising:
37.5 points of first year subjects;
37.5 points of second year subjects;
50 points of third year subjects.
Most language majors require the completion of a specified level of the language. See the relevant language entries in this Handbook for details.
The following table demonstrates how a major in Arabic might be completed alongside a major in political science. Note that each semester of first- and second-year Arabic study involves the completion of two Arabic subjects (a subject and corequisite totalling 18.75 points per semester). In each of first, second and third year, this is equivalent to three regular 12.5 point subjects per year.
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This example demonstrates that in each of first and second year, a student taking a language with corequisite subjects will complete one 'heavier' semester of 56.25 points and one 'lighter' semester of 43.75 points, totalling 100 points across the year.
For details on complementary course study see Studying subjects at other universities.
Students are encouraged to consider taking some of their language study overseas. For further details see Studying overseas for credit.
In the cases of French, German, Italian and Spanish, summer intensive beginners subjects may be available from the Horwood Language Centre, and may be undertaken as part of an arts degree. Each intensive subject is the equivalent of a full year of language study (37.5 points) at first year level only and candidates may continue directly to second year language study, subject to academic performance. Students should see Intensive Languages for subject details.
The Horwood Language Centre provides technical support for language learning within the University. Its resources include computer-assisted and audio-visual language laboratories, a broadcast-quality recording studio, live satellite reception of eight international television stations, audio and video dubbing, video conversion, off-air recording facilities, and an extensive video and audio library of foreign language material.
Telephone enquiries can be made on +61 3 8344 5144 or visit the web site at http://www.hlc.unimelb.edu.au.
The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. See Diploma in Modern Languages for further information.
You do not require special permission from the Faculty of Arts to study on a part-time basis. The minimum enrolment allowable for arts students is one subject in each semester.
Students intending to study part time should note that most classes are held during working hours. A small percentage of subjects are offered in the evening, but choices are limited and timetabling is subject to change on a yearly basis. For these reasons students with full-time work commitments may find it very difficult to complete a degree without attending some day-time classes. See also Time commitment to study.
All arts courses―the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, arts combined degrees, concurrent diplomas, the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Letters―must be completed within 10 years from the date of commencement of study. Exemption from this requirement is rare. Students in a HECS-based place who are permitted to extend their studies beyond 10 years are not eligible to continue in a HECS based place and may only re-enrol on a fee-based basis.
The Faculty of Arts encourages students who are strong academic performers to consider studying overseas for credit towards their degree. You can study as part of an official exchange program or take other studies, particularly intensive in-country language courses, at recognised tertiary institutions overseas. The University and the Faculty offer a range of Melbourne Abroad Scholarships to assist very high achieving students to study overseas; these are awarded on a competitive basis.
The minimum academic requirement to study overseas is an average grade of H2B across all subjects attempted as part of your course. If you want to study in a language other than English you will also need an H2B in your language at Melbourne, and you must have studied beyond beginners level.
You must also ensure that you have sufficient space in your degree to accommodate credit for studies taken overseas (ie. usually 50 points for one semester's work or 100 points for two semesters' work).
Usually you are only eligible to apply to study overseas at second-, third- and fourth-year levels, although special conditions apply to Honours students studying overseas. You can receive a maximum of 100 points towards your degree (37.5 points towards honours or the DML) for study taken overseas.
You must arrange a credit contract with the Faculty of Arts if you wish to study overseas for credit towards the BA or the arts component of a BA combined degree. This involves asking academic staff in Faculty of Arts department/s to agree that the subjects you want to take overseas are equivalent to subjects taught in this Faculty. The Faculty of Arts office then determines how many points credit you will be granted for these subjects and at what year level. You must sign the credit contract before you leave the country and take approved subjects in exchange for guaranteed credit.
Please note that arranging overseas study is a lengthy process that requires planning at least a year in advance of when you intend to leave.
All enquiries about studying overseas as part of an exchange or other program should be directed to the Faculty of Arts, telephone +61 3 8344 8032.
In addition, several departments of the Faculty of Arts teach subjects in Europe and the United States as one-month intensive fieldwork programs in the Summer Semester or Winter Recess. See individual subject entries for details:
The standard workload for arts students is a maximum of 100 points per year (eight subjects), or 50 points per semester (four subjects). Language students should note that 56.25 points in a semester is not considered an overload.
Students who attempt more than this workload usually withdraw from subjects and reduce their enrolment back to 100 points, or actually fail one or more subjects. Nevertheless, if you have a strong academic record and good reasons to overload your enrolment, consult a faculty course adviser for permission to overload.
Students are not usually permitted to enrol in more than the 300 points required for the BA. However, if you have an excellent academic record and good reasons to over-enrol, you may consult a course adviser for permission to take up to a maximum of 25 points of extra subjects. All extra study is liable for additional course fees. Overenrolment through HECS is not possible.
However, if you are enrolled in a HECS place in arts/engineering, arts/geomatic engineering, arts/law, arts/social work, arts/teaching or arts/medicine and you have an excellent academic record (Honours entry standard or higher) and you need to overenrol in order to complete two majors for the purpose of entering a Bachelor of Arts combined honours program, you may be permitted to overenrol up to 25 points if you are completing two regular arts majors or up to 37.5 points if one of the majors is in a language area.
For a range of reasons many students find that they need to take a semester or an entire year break from study.
Over the course of your degree you may take up to a maximum of two semesters (12 months) leave of absence. A further maximum of six months leave will only be approved in very exceptional circumstances. Students who require more than 12 months away from their studies must discontinue their course and re-apply once they are able to continue.
Application forms are available from the Faculty of Arts Office, see The Faculty of Arts Office.
If you fail a subject, at some later stage in your course you will be required either to repeat the failed subject, or to complete another subject worth the same number of points and available at the same year level (or higher) in order to complete your degree. However, you cannot enrol in a subject if you have attempted it twice before.
Students who fail one or more subjects may be invited to discuss their situation with a course adviser.
If you fail 50 per cent or more of your course in a semester, your situation will be examined by the Faculty of Arts' Unsatisfactory Progress Committee.
Each student's case is considered individually, and each student is asked to explain the reasons for their poor performance, in writing as well as in an interview. If you have failed two out of the last three semesters, despite repeated warnings of the consequences, you will be required to see the full Unsatisfactory Progress Committee. The committee is first and foremost concerned with understanding the problems you have faced during the year and what you propose to do about these problems to ensure they do not recur.
The outcome of the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee's review will depend very much on the nature and degree of your unsatisfactory progress, the nature of your problems, the submission that you make, and the extent to which you can demonstrate that you can overcome the problems that have affected your study.
In most cases the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee will allow you to continue with your enrolment, but will require you to discuss your enrolment with a course adviser. If appropriate, the committee may enforce a number of restrictions on your enrolment, including limiting your enrolment to part time, recommending some leave of absence or in some cases may recommend to the University's Academic Board that you be suspended from your course.
If you are suspended from your course, you will not be re-admitted until you can demonstrate academic rehabilitation by successfully completing a specified amount of tertiary studies elsewhere, or studies through the Community Access Program.
BA and BA combined course students change their subjects online using the Student Information System (SIS) <http://sis.unimelb.edu.au>. Students attempting a change that cannot be made online (eg. overloading) must meet with a Faculty of Arts course adviser to have the change approved. If approved the change will be made immediately. BA combined course students can only make changes to the BA component of their degree at the Faculty of Arts. Changes to the other component must be made by the Faculty administering that component of the course. The dates relating to subject changes are published at the Faculty of Arts website prior to the commencement of each semester.
Before the end of each academic year, continuing students are required to select subjects (course plan) via the SIS for the following year. Students will be provided with full details of the course planning and re-enrolment process in September/October. Before course planning, you are encouraged to seek the advice of departments in choosing your subjects.
It is important to carefully plan your BA degree each year. All students are responsible for planning a course that satisfies course requirements. See What are my responsibilities as a student?.
Students who do not course plan or re-enrol by the required date will incur a late fee and/or have their enrolment terminated.
Applications to resume studies after discontinuation, suspension or lapsed enrolment from your course must be submitted within five years of your last successful enrolment.
Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts, BA combined degrees and the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences will be awarded such credit for previous study as the faculty considers appropriate at the time of first enrolment in the degree.
Credit will only be awarded for study deemed to be the equivalent of studies normally undertaken within the relevant award course;
Credit will only be granted for approved completed subjects, not for credit granted by another faculty or institution;
Credit will not be granted for any complete or incomplete tertiary studies undertaken 10 or more years prior to admission to the degree;
Subjects may not be double counted for both specified and unspecified credit;
No student may complete a degree or diploma with credit.3
Currently enrolled students who wish to undertake additional studies for credit (ie. overseas language studies, or Community Access Program subjects) must obtain approval for such an enrolment before it is undertaken, or credit may not be awarded.
No student is obliged to accept the credit that is awarded, but must notify the faculty in writing of their intention to decline such credit within the year (full-time or part-time) of credit being granted.
Students transferring from other faculties or institutions may be offered unspecified credit for undergraduate subjects, which are not available as subjects for the Bachelor of Arts degree at Melbourne, up to a maximum of 50 points of first-year level and 37.5 points of second-year level.
Students who have completed subjects elsewhere that are considered to be equivalent to those available to students in the Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne, may be granted specified credit for those subjects. It may be necessary for the relevant department to recommend such credit. Specified credit may be granted up to a maximum of 100 points of first year level and up to a maximum of 100 points of second year level. The maximum total amount of specified and unspecified credit granted to a transferring student will be 200 points.
For more information on credit, refer to credit guidelines available from the Faculty of Arts office. See also Credit for Community Access Program subjects.
BA combined degree students are not eligible for unspecified credit.
Students who have completed subjects elsewhere that are considered to be equivalent to those available to students in combined arts degrees at Melbourne may be granted specified credit for those subjects. Specified credit is usually approved on the recommendation of the relevant department. Specified credit may be granted up to a maximum of 50 points of first-year level and up to a maximum of 75 points of second-year level. The maximum amount of specified arts credit granted to a transferring combined degree student will be 125 points.
Students who have undertaken accelerated university programs concurrently with their VCE may be granted credit up to a maximum of 50 points of first year.
| 1. | Intermediate and advanced level ancient Greek and Latin are the only languages in this category. |
| 2. | Students who wish to enrol in Ancient Greek and Latin as well as another language are exempt from this restriction. |
| 3. | Except via previously approved exchange study through the University of Melbourne. |
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