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Bachelor of Arts
UndergraduateMUR-ART-DEG2019
Course information for 2019 intake
Immerse yourself in issues of global importance
Develop critical thinking, evaluation and reflection skills. Major in security, terrorism and counterterrorism; international aid and development; community development; or sustainable development for careers needing inter-disciplinary understanding.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts
About this degree
KNOWLEDGE
Graduates of the Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of:
- the theoretical perspectives and methods of enquiry of a discipline
- the diversity of social, human and natural phenomena and the multiple perspectives (including inter-disciplinary perspectives) which can be brought to bear in social and creative enquiry
- global perspectives including an awareness of and respect for the historical, social, biological, cultural, and economic interdependence of global life.
SKILLS
Graduates of the Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts are effective communicators who demonstrate:
- proficiency in producing written arguments and/or creative artefacts consistent with the norms and standards of a discipline
- capacity for persuasive oral communication appropriate to a range of audiences.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts gather, synthesise and critically evaluate ideas and information from a range of sources demonstrating:
- analytical, creative and conceptual thinking
- a variety of methods for research and practice appropriate to the discipline.
APPLICATION
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts demonstrate confidence and competence in applying knowledge and skills to practice through:
- a capacity for self-directed independent enquiry
- critical self-reflection
- creative problem solving
- a global perspective incorporating an appreciation of cultural and disciplinary differences.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts have well developed interpersonal and collaborative skills including the demonstrated capacity to:
- give and receive critical feedback
- work effectively within team environments
- respect the thoughts and opinions of others.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts demonstrate ethical thinking and practice through social and creative enquiry which recognises diversity and the rights and perspectives of others.
The Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts is an undergraduate award which normally requires 3 years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. In your first year of study you will develop the essential skills of critical thinking, research, evaluation and reflection. You will continue to apply and develop these skills throughout your degree. You will gain in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialisation in your Major subjects.
Your first year (Part I) consists of a combination of Major subjects (Core), a Transition subject (Core), a Breadth subject (Core), specified electives and your choice of general elective subjects. Years two and three (Part II) of your degree comprise the balance of your degree and consists of the Major subjects (which give you the in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialisation), Research Skills subjects (Core), Breadth Subjects (Core) and your own choice of general elective subjects.
The four Majors that Murdoch University offers through OUA enable you to develop expertise in in Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism; International Aid and Development; Community Development; and Sustainable Development. You can choose to study a single major or combine two for a double major.
Recommended study pattern
Recommended Study Pattern for this degree is dependent on the selected major.
Please see the links below.
Bachelor of Arts major in Sustainable Development Recommended Study Pattern (PDF, 114 Kb)
Bachelor of Arts major in Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism Recommended Study Pattern (PDF, 115 Kb)
Bachelor of Arts major in International Aid and Development Recommended Study Pattern (PDF, 115, Kb)
Bachelor of Arts major in Community Development Recommended Study Pattern (PDF, 115 Kb)
Award requirements
To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts at Murdoch University, students must complete 72 credit points (24 subjects).
The Murdoch Degree Framework
(72 Points of Credit: 24 points at Part I, 48 points at Part II)
A Murdoch University degree is structured around four key elements:- transition to university,
- research skills,
- breadth of knowledge, and
- depth of knowledge (the chosen Major).
Degree Structures
Murdoch’s degree structures combine all the required elements to make a student knowledgeable, experienced, confident and successful within a chosen career:
Each level of an undergraduate degree requires 24 credit points, the equivalent of a year of full-time study. Taking a combined degree introduces additional credit point requirements to your qualification.
Transition to University
Each degree includes a transition subject, helping students develop the key academic skills to succeed in a chosen field. Students entering Murdoch with advanced standing will still be required to complete this subject or demonstrate achievement of the subject’s learning outcomes.
Research Skills
Second and third year subjects focus on the research skills relevant to the chosen degree. Research, communication and problem solving abilities are highly valued by employers, so we aim to ‘future proof’ your education with skills for undertaking life-long learning.
These skills involve:- Identifying research
- Using appropriate methodology to find, record and organise research data;
- Critically evaluating and interpreting available information;
- Managing the research process and organising information;
- Communicating research findings with the appropriate language and context.
Breadth of Knowledge
Often, the best solutions appear when people apply knowledge in new ways or work with a team to bring different skills together. Breadth studies introduces students to knowledge outside a chosen discipline, teaching students to understand how others think and solve problems.For detailed information go to this website: http://our.murdoch.edu.au/OUA/
Choose your subjects
Majors
Students can choose to study from these four Bachelor of Arts Majors:
- Sustainable Development
- Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism
- International Aid and Development
- Community Development
Please Note: Units which appear in a major and the breadth unit list may only be counted towards the requirements of the major.
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.
Students are recommended to Register with Murdoch University before starting their Part 2 subjects to receive enrolment advice.
A fee of $250 is payable on registration.
To obtain an Application for Registration Form, please download the form from this website:
http://our.murdoch.edu.au/OUA/Forms/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.
Changes to Bachelor of Arts degrees at Murdoch University in 2017
The Bachelor of Arts (Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism major) has undergone a major change in 2017. The following units have been retired and replaced by new units.
- POL224 International Relations Theory and Practice is replaced by POL232 Military Force and Counterterrorism
- POL344 Australian Foreign & Security Policy is replaced by POL335 Policing, Intelligence and Counterterrorism
- POL312 Regional Rivals: China and its Neighbours is replaced by POL334 Middle East Politics and Security
The discontinued units will still be credited as before, or students can take the new units that have replaced them.
If you have any queries about any of these changes, you can ask a question in Murdoch’s ‘MyAnswers’, providing your student number and identifying your degree (or intended degree).
You may also directly contact the Academic Chair of the degree in which you wish to graduate.Academic Chair for Community Development major: Dr David Palmer - D.Palmer@Murdoch.edu.au/ Tel: +61 8 93602288
Academic Chair for International Aid and Development, and Sustainable Development majors: Alan Johnstone - A.Johnstone@Murdoch.edu.au/ Tel: +61 8 93606278
Academic Chair for Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism major: Dr Ian Wilson - I.Wilson@murdoch.edu.au / Tel: +61 8 93602500
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $19,680
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.
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
Learn more about Murdoch University.
Explore Murdoch courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 27
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 26
Entry requirements
Transferring from another degree or university
If you have successfully completed university studies equivalent to at least 2 subjects (6 Murdoch credit points) you can apply to transfer to Murdoch University using your previous studies.
For all other minimum entry requirements and pathways, please refer to the course you are interested in on https://search.murdoch.edu.au/s/search.html?collection=mu-course-search.
Successful completion of 2 subjects at Open Universities Australia (OUA), or an Australian University.
School leavers gain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) from four degree subjects completed during Year 12, or OP (Overall Positions) in Queensland.
To apply to Murdoch University after Year 12, you must achieve English competency and have achieved your WA Certificate of Education (WACE) or its interstate equivalent along with the ATAR (or OP) relevant for your chosen degree.
An ATAR of 70.00 or higher (or a Queensland Overall Position of 14 or less) is required for admission to a Commonwealth Support Place in this degree.
If you have successfully completed a Certificate IV or higher you can apply for admission into a Commonwealth Support Place.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- STAT is a national test for mature age people designed to assess aptitude for learning in a tertiary environment. It is not a test of your knowledge on specific academic subjects. It is recognised in all Australian states. You must achieve a minimum of 140 in the Written English and 135 in the Qualitative or Multiple Choice sections of the STAT to gain entry to Murdoch.
- Completed secondary education more than two years ago
- Enabling Programs
- Murdoch Institute of Technology - http://www.murdochinstitute.wa.edu.au/
- STAT preparation degree - Applicant needs to sit the STAT after the degree is completed.
- Murdoch University OnTrack / OnTrack Sprint / FlexiTrack - If you have successfully completed Murdoch University's OnTrack or Flexitrack program you can apply for admission into a Commonwealth Support Place. Details are available at http://www.murdoch.edu.au/OnTrack/ and https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/flexitrack-murdoch-university-mur-ftk-deg
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre - http://www.murdoch.edu.au/Kulbardi/
- International Students - http://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/how-to-apply
- For further admission information about this degree, please refer to Murdoch Admission Information - Arts
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
To demonstrate English language competency you will need a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR English, Literature or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD).
Find out if you are eligible and apply at https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/recognition-of-prior-learning.
Career opportunities
With a Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts degree, your choices of career are almost limitless. With highly developed skills in research, critical thinking, synthesis and evaluation, and expertise in your chosen specialisation (Major), you will be very desirable to a wide range of employers. Murdoch University has been given a five star graduate employment rating by students in the popular Good Universities Guide 2015. Murdoch's emphasis on high quality teaching and leading edge research, as well as links with industry ensure it can provide students with a well-rounded and relevant education which gives you the edge as you embark on your chosen career paths.
As a graduate of the BA Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism studies, you may choose to pursue employment in a range of Government agencies, such as Australian Federal Police, ASIO and ASIS, AUSAid, Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Attorney-General's Office and so on. There is also a demand for knowledgeable graduates across the private sector, with companies whose interests focus globally, particularly in areas where security and terrorism has been a recent and volatile issue.
Graduates of the BA International Aid and Development graduate with skills in economic and social policy are likely to be employed in a range of organisations such as AUSAID or development related non-governmental organisations.
Sustainability and Sustainable Development is an emerging growth industry and profession. Graduates progress to successful careers in the State and Commonwealth public sectors; local councils and non-government organisations (NGOs); research institutes; national and international aid organisations; as well as in industry, tourism, media, education and resource sectors of the economy.
The BA in Community Development degree aims to develop your skills and abilities in communication, critical thinking, ethics and social justice as well as developing more specific knowledge related to Community Development. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Community Development will be suitable candidates for a wide range of careers in community services and welfare groups, government departments, and not-for-profit organisations.
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.