Bachelor of Arts

Hone your analytical skills. Become an independent thinker. Form and articulate judgements based on argument and evidence. Lead the way.

With arts and humanities at the University of Sydney consistently recognised as among the top 30 faculties globally in university rankings, our Bachelor of Arts degree is both highly regarded by academic leaders and highly sought after by industry employers.

Offering access to more than 45 subject areas in the humanities and social sciences, no two arts degrees are the same at Sydney, which means you’ll graduate with a unique skillset and career options as varied as the degree itself.

Whether you want to learn a new language or study a new culture, explore great books, ideas or minds, discover the past, analyse the present or consider the shape of the world's future, the Bachelor of Arts will expand your horizons and challenge you to think outside the box.

Our majors

You will study a major and a minor choosing both from the humanities and social sciences, or selecting your minor from the University's shared pool.

Unsure about what the difference is between a major and a minor? Or how HSC subjects align with Arts and Social Sciences subjects? Check out this handy major/minors page as a guide in deciding what to study.

Bachelor of Advanced Studies

You can also choose to combine your Bachelor of Arts degree with the Bachelor of Advanced Studies . In the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, you can complete a second major, combine studies from a range of disciplines, undertake advanced coursework, and get involved in cross-disciplinary community, professional, research or entrepreneurial project work.

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies can also be taken with streams in:

• Languages 
• International and Global Studies
• Media and Communications
• Politics and International Relations

Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:

• a secondary education qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), or approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses.
• English language requirements where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English.

Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.

Credit for previous study

If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.