Bachelor of Arts (Geography)

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. 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
2. think creatively to generate innovative solutions to economic, social and environmental challenges
3. access, evaluate and synthesise information from various disciplines and integrate in order to assess human and environmental outcomes
4. communicate effectively for the development of policy solutions that support sustainable development
5. use of current technologies when applied to finding information and making decisions about sustainable development
6. utilise lifelong learning skills and strategies for understanding the impact of change on human activities and the ecology
7. 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.
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity, including indigenous perspectives, in understanding and responding to environmental and social challenges
9. 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.

• Level 1 Subjects

• Level 2 Subjects

• Level 3 Subjects

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.

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.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $28,578

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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.

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• 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.)

• 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).