Bachelor of Arts (Geography)
Undergraduate | CUR-GPH-DEG | 2024
Articulate, trained geographers are in demand
Investigate the relationship between people, place and the environment. Examine food security, population, energy, and the impacts of climate and political change. Geographers find work in planning, resource management, policy making and development.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 19 May 2024,
- 11 Aug 2024,
- 10 Nov 2024
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Price from
- $28,578
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts (Geography)
About this degree
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- apply interdisciplinary concepts and methods to understanding the environmental, social and economic aspects of development and change; extend the boundaries of knowledge about climate change
- think creatively to generate innovative solutions to economic, social and environmental challenges
- access, evaluate and synthesise information from various disciplines and integrate in order to assess human and environmental outcomes
- communicate effectively for the development of policy solutions that support sustainable development
- use of current technologies when applied to finding information and making decisions about sustainable development
- utilise lifelong learning skills and strategies for understanding the impact of change on human activities and the ecology
- describe the global context of the need for a change to sustainable development; explore best international practices for finding solutions; apply these concepts within a regional/local environment.
- recognise the importance of cultural diversity, including indigenous perspectives, in understanding and responding to environmental and social challenges
- work both independently and in teams to find effective policies and ethical solutions to environmental and social issues; show leadership as a professional practitioner or collaborator.
Climate change and environmental stress more generally pose great challenges to humanity in every corner of the globe. Making human lives sustainable in such conditions involves meeting challenges which extend from securing essential food and energy supplies to developing viable settlements and social, cultural and economic institutions, as well as finding effective systems of local, national and international governance. The Geography Major explores the varied dimensions of social, economic and political change in an environmentally stressed world. It examines the threats and opportunities to developing and maintaining local communities within the context of regional, national and international processes.
Geography explores the relationships between people, places and environments. As our worlds have become increasingly interconnected, fast-paced and more complex due to technological and social change; symptoms of this speed and complexity include disconnectivity, restrictions on mobility and competition for resources. This makes Geography more relevant than ever.
You will learn how to integrate various perspectives in social research and natural science to identify practical solutions to issues surrounding: population growth; food security; migration; natural hazards; climate change; global cities; sustainable development; health and wellbeing; power and place; and, the emerging creative economies.
Recommended study pattern
You will need to successfully complete a total of 24 subjects. To complete this as a single major, here is a what you will need to enrol in:
- Level 1 subjects: APC100, GPH100, GPH110, COM155, 2 elective subjects (suggest these are URP100 and URP110), 2 elective subjects (suggest these are chosen from Level 1 subjects across OUA)
- Level 2 subjects: GPH200, GPH210, GPH220, GPH230, 4 elective subjects (suggest these are chosen from Level 2 subjects across OUA)
- Level 3 subjects: GPH300, GPH310, GPH320, GPH330, 4 elective subjects (suggest these are chosen from Level 3 subjects across OUA)
Award requirements
Successful completion of 24 subjects.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
2024 Changes:
New subject:
- GPH330 Rural Geographies
Retired subject:
- URP300 Rural Resource Planning
New subject, GPH330 Rural Geographies is a direct replacement of URP300 Rural Resource Planning. Students may take GPH330 if they fail URP300.
Students will not be impacted by the proposed change as the new subject is a direct replacement of the retired subject.
Should students have any other questions, they can contact the teaching school at dbetso@curtin.edu.au.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
- Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required)
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Successful completion of two of the recommended eight OUA open enrolment subjects: APC100 and GPH100 OR GPH110 and separate evidence of English language proficiency; OR
- Successful completion of four OUA full degree level subjects at pass level. (This satisfies the English language proficiency requirement.)
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. Mathematics Applications ATAR. Desirable Mathematics Methods ATAR or Mathematics Specialist ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre Prerequisites
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling degree entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Career opportunities
Enrolling in the Geography major at Curtin places you in a diverse community of students from around the world, surrounded by leading researchers working in the Southeast Asian region and Australia. There is a worldwide shortage of trained geographers, couple this with the rediscovery of the discipline in the education sector and the employment market for geographers is growing.
Geography is about being in the field and taking part. There are opportunities to learn outside the classroom and opportunities to study and work abroad. This degree can help you become a Social and Environmental Planner, Natural Resource Manager or Urban and Regional Planner.
You may also find work in sustainability consultancies,community development, international development, environmental consultancies and organisations, tourism and heritage, mining, agriculture, land care, journalism, government, health and education.
Career outlook
- Environmental Managers:
- Over $120K
- Policy Analysts:
- $93K to $120K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K
Degree FAQs
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.