Bachelor of Arts
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Pursue your passion and your profession
A flexible arts degree offering a large selection of humanities and social sciences majors. Mix it up with minors and electives in business, health, and science. Develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, and communication skills.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 16 Feb 2025,
- 13 July 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts
About this degree
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply systematic, detailed knowledge and understanding of at least one discipline or interdisciplinary area in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Develop creative, critical and analytical skills to address problems in a range of social and cultural contexts.
- Demonstrate high-level, ethical, professional and culturally aware communication skills.
- Design and conduct independent and collaborative research into complex problems relating to social issues, considering ethical implications and multiple perspectives.
- Navigate, critically assess and strategically utilise information from both physical and digital sources.
- Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness to act as critically engaged global citizens.
With our flexible Bachelor of Arts, you can choose from an incredible array of majors and minors. You'll have access to around 50 majors and minors from humanities, social sciences, business, health and science, keeping your career options open. Pursue your passion and your profession.
Shape your own future with this interdisciplinary degree. You’ll choose one arts major, then explore your interests or build an essential skill when you choose secondary majors, minors and electives from across the university. You’ll graduate with your primary major on your academic transcript, so future employers can recognise your expertise.
Create your own path. Want to major in sociology, with a second major in psychology, then take Chinese as an elective? Go for it. Or perhaps you’d like to pair economics and English. Or crime, justice and legal studies with linguistics. Build your own future – we’re here to help you achieve your dream. No matter which path you choose, you’ll learn from world-class academics and leading researchers.
In your first year, you’ll explore your interests and passions. Try a language; or get a taste for history, English, politics or creative writing. In your second and third years, you’ll delve deeper while also choosing electives and minors that broaden your skills and knowledge. You may also choose to develop professional skillsets in areas like psychology, public health, marketing, science, sport management and more.
This flexible degree also offers a range of study options. You can choose to study face-to-face at our Melbourne Campus and enjoy our on-campus facilities, or you can study online – knowing your experience will mirror on-campus students, with tutorials delivered in a synchronous manner. Unlike many other online degrees, at La Trobe you can login to live sessions and engage directly with academics and your fellow students in real time.
Gain real-world experience and build valuable connections that will shape your career. Take on an industry placement at organisations like SBS Radio, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre or the United Nations Association of Australia or travel overseas for an international sustainability experience.* Many of our exchange programs are financially supported. Your dedicated course advisor will help you to find your path and explore new opportunities.
The world is waiting for you. Step into it.
You’ll learn:
- Â Critical thinking
- Delve into complex problems. Experts say critical thinking will be a highly valued skill in the workforce of tomorrow.**
- Emotional intelligence
- Understand what drives our decisions. Learn how to connect to others with emotion and intelligence.
- Creativity
- Learn how to see new possibilities and turn them into reality.
- Communication
- Learn how to connect, communicate and collaborate with your university peers and future colleagues.
*Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.
**Forbes, 2019,The 10 Vital Skills You Will Need For The Future Of Work; PwC, 2020, 10 skills you need for future employment
- Â Critical thinking
Recommended study pattern
This degree is an Open Access pathway course, which means there is a recommended series of subjects that, once successfully completed, can be credited towards this degree. To commence the pathway for this degree, simply select subjects identified within the Entry requirements field.Â
Students who wish to enrol in a part time load are recommended to enrol in two subjects per study period. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook to review the full structure.
Students who are studying and want to take a break (minimum one study period) must submit a leave of absencecovering the relevant dates.
Students who have been accepted in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) are required to complete the following 2 modules in their first study period as a CSP student:
LTU0AIM Academic Integrity Module
ABS0WOM Wominjeka La Trobe: Indigenous Cultural Literacy for Higher Education
Award requirements
To quality for the award of Bachelor of Arts, students must complete 24 subjects (360 credit points) as follows:
- 8 major subjects
- 16 elective subjects
Students who have been accepted in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) are required to complete the following 2 modules in their first study period as a CSP student:
LTU0AIM Academic Integrity Module
ABS0WOM Wominjeka La Trobe: Indigenous Cultural Literacy for Higher Education
Choose your subjects
Majors
Students must complete a course related major sequence consisting of 8 subjects (120 credit points) from the following arts majors:
- Anthropology
- Archaeological and Heritage Studies
- Asian Studies
- Creative and Professional Writing
- Crime, Justice and Legal StudiesÂ
- Digital Media
- English
- Ethics and Social Justice
- Hindi Studies Beginners
- History
- Human Geography
- International Studies
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Psychological Science
- Sociology
- Sustainability and Development
- Visual Cultures
In addition, students may wish to complete a second major sequence consisting of 8 subjects (120 credit points) from the list above, or one of the following business majors:
- Agribusiness
- Digital Business
- Management
- Marketing
Electives
Students can complete an additional major (detailed above), minors (detailed below) or elective subjects.
Students may wish to complete a course related minor sequence consisting of 4 subjects (60 credit points) from the following arts minors:
- Anthropology
- Archaeological and Heritage Studies
- Asian Studies
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology
- Creative and Professional Writing
- Crime, Justice and Legal Studies
- Digital Media
- English
- Environmental Humanities
- Ethics and Social Justice
- Hindi Studies Beginners
- History
- Human Geography
- International Studies
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Psychological Science
- Sociology
- Sustainability and Development
- Visual Cultures
Students may wish to complete a minor sequence consisting of 4 subjects (60 credit points) from the following business minors:
- Accountancy
- Agribusiness
- Digital Business
- Digital Marketing
- Human Resources Management
- Management
Exit points
Upon completion of Level one 8 subjects (120 credit points), students have the option to exit with a Diploma of Arts (AD002O).*
*Please note that if you are a past La Trobe student who has discontinued study, or if you have been absent without leave, you are not eligible to apply for an alternative exit retrospectively.Â
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.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$14,329
Indicative total fee $42,987
The amounts shown here are 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.
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Successful completion of two of the following four Open Access Pathway subjects:
- LST1LOJ Law and (Dis) Order
- SOC1SAC Society and Culture: Introduction to Sociology
- ARC1THJ The Human Journey
- POL1SNS States, Security and International Relations
Demonstrate proficiency equivalent to Year 12 prerequisites
Satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:
- are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
- have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
- do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.
Refer to the La Trobe University STAT page page for further information.
La Trobe University will consider applications for advanced standing, or credit for prior study. Credit may be applied to a current degree if you have undertaken previous tertiary study and completed and passed subjects similar in content and standard to those offered at La Trobe, from either another recognised tertiary institution or a different La Trobe course.
Note:Â Applications for credit will not be considered until you have successfully been admitted to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in a La Trobe course offered through OUA.
Assessing whether you should apply for credit for subjects in your course:
Credit may be granted for relevant subjects. The following steps will help you to decide which subjects you wish to apply for:
- Identify subjects within your course that you think align with subjects you have already studied and have completed within 8 years of your La Trobe University course commencement year.
- Provide subject outlines with detailed information for each subject that you wish to submit for assessment for credit, identifying which subject within your course that you have identified as a match. Include subject learning outcomes/objectives and subject content for each subject.
- Provide your academic transcript for your previous studies.
*Note that a subject studied can only be used once for credit
Career opportunities
After graduation, you could pursue a variety of rewarding careers across a range of industries, including the arts, government and not-for-profit sectors. Your choice of majors and minors will guide the types of roles available to you.
Here’s a small handful of possible roles you could pursue:
- Human rights advocate
Create change through public campaigning and private lobbying.
- Policy analyst
Guide public policy by playing an important role in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of policies and regulations.
- Community development manager
Design and deliver projects and programs to improve the quality of life for communities and disadvantaged populations.
- Historian
Become an authority on the past. You’ll explore your area of historical interest from ancient societies through to the recent past of our cities and nations.
- Digital content producer
Develop written content for websites, blogs, emails, videos, and marketing campaigns.
- Communications adviser
Take a lead role in crafting an organisation’s voice and messaging. Develop media strategies, act as a spokesperson or support senior staff in promoting the organisation’s public image.
- Teacher
With further study, you could pursue a rewarding career in primary or secondary teaching.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Arts Administrators and Managers | Over $120K | N/A^ |
Historians | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Social Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 0.4% |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
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.
How can I pay for my studies?
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.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
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.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
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. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
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.
How do I enrol?
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 a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.