The Bachelor of Arts requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time); the honours program requires an additional year (or the equivalent part-time). Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to appropriate resources and staff being available to supervise the program of study.
An Enhanced Program for High Achievers is also available in the Bachelor of Arts. Refer to the link below for the Course Aims, Learning Outcomes and Program of Study for this Program:
Students who wish to exit the award after completion of 36 units or 72 units may be awarded a Diploma of Arts or an Associate Degree of Arts respectively, subject to specific requirements. Refer to the links below for the requirements for these Programs:
The BA undergraduate and BA honours degrees are administered by the BA Management Committee. Major sequences and individual topics are offered in a range of schools and departments and fields of study drawn from across the University.
Students are required to complete at least one major sequence and one minor sequence for the BA degree. It is possible to arrange a program in order to complete two major sequences.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Course aims
The Bachelor of Arts provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a strong focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. Majors, extended majors and minors can be taken within the Colleges of: Education, Psychology and Social Work; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; and Business, Government and Law. The Bachelor of Arts can also be undertaken in conjunction with a range of other degrees in the University.
The course aims to provide students with:
- a sound basis of knowledge in their chosen areas of study
- the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
- the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways
- the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- the skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries
- an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the three year Bachelor of Arts degree students will have:
- in-depth knowledge in one or more areas of study
- a body of knowledge across a range of disciplines
- an ability to analyse, synthesise and communicate knowledge in two or more areas of study
- skills in the application of knowledge, and in collaborating across boundaries
- independent and lifelong learning skills
- an appreciation of ethical values.
Students should:
- be familiar with theories, factual content and research procedures in their major and other fields of study
- be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and solve problems
- understand the processes through which current knowledge was developed
- understand the relationships and connections between different fields of study.
Within their fields of study students will have developed:
- communication and presentation skills (oral, written, electronic and graphic)
- teamwork and interpersonal skills (including an understanding of cultural diversity)
- management and planning skills (including self-management skills)
- intellectual and creative skills.
Program of study
To qualify for The Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
The 108 units must include:
- COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units)*
one Arts major sequence selected from the list of BA major sequences comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics, 9 units of Year 2 topics, 9 units of Year 3 topics and an additional 9 units of Year 2 or 3 topics according to the requirements for the specific major sequence;
one Arts minor sequence (different from the major) selected from the list of major or minor sequences normally comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics, 9 units of Year 2 topics, and an additional 4.5 units of Year 2 or 3 topics;
at least 27 but not more than 45 units of Year 1 topics.
Provided there are suitable topics available, a student may complete an extended Arts major sequence of 45 units selected from the relevant list of BA major sequences, comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics, 9 units of Year 2 topics, 9 units of Year 3 topics and an additional 18 units of Year 2 or 3 topics according to the requirements for the specific major sequence.
An Arts major sequence or an extended Arts major sequence may also require the completion of up to two foundation topics as a co-requisite.
Students will be expected to declare their major sequence at the completion of 36 units.
Any topic offered by the University may be chosen to complete the 108 units, provided course and prerequisite requirements are met. With the permission of The BA Management Committee, up to 36 units may be taken through study at another approved institution, towards the elective component of the degree. In choosing Year 3 topics, students must pay attention to the assumed knowledge requirements specified for those topics.
The BA Examinations Board may approve substitute topics if a student is unable to undertake particular core topics while studying overseas on an approved program.
Majors or Minors Sequences (all except those marked # can be taken at honours level)
University accredited languages, taken through cross-institutional studies, including those offered by the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, are also available as majors in the Flinders Bachelor of Arts.
Minor Sequences only
Students who commenced prior to 2016 need to refer to the previous years course rules for the phasing out Majors/Minors listed below :
* Under certain conditions the core topic COMS1001 may be replaced with an alternative topic. See COMS1001 for further details.
** Creative Writing can be taken at Honours level under the English program
Students are not required to enrol in COMS1001 when undertaking this degree in combination with any of the following:
Honours
Refer to Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Combined degrees
The Bachelor of Arts may also be studied in a combined degrees program with a:
