• American Studies
• Ancient History
• Anthropology
• Arab World, Islam and the Middle East
• Arabic Language and Literature
• Archaeology
• Art History
• Asian Studies
• Biblical Studies
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Biology
• Celtic Studies
• Chemistry
• Chinese Studies
• Computer Science
• Cultural Studies
• Digital Cultures
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Environmental Studies
• European Studies
• Film Studies
• French Studies
• Gender Studies
• Geography
• Geology and Geophysics
• Germanic Studies
• Government and International Relations
• Greek (Ancient)
• Hebrew (Classical)
• Hebrew (Modern)
• History
• History and Philosophy of Science
• Indigenous Australian Studies
• Indonesian Studies
• Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
• Information Systems
• International and Comparative Literary Studies
• Italian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture
• Korean Studies
• Latin
• Linguistics
• Management
• Mathematics
• Medieval Studies
• Microbiology
• Modern Greek Studies
• Music
• Performance Studies
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Plant Science
• Political Economy
• Psychology
• Sanskrit (Indian Sub-Continental Studies)
• Social Policy
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish and Latin American Studies
• Statistics
• Studies in Religion

Study plan

The Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) may be undertaken full-time over three years or part-time over six years. Full-time students enrol in senior units of study with a maximum 48 credit points (cp) during first year and a further 48cp in second year. A typical unit of study has a value of 6cp. All students complete at least one major (i.e. study in one subject area), comprising 36cp of senior units of study, over first and second year, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The degree structure provides for the completion of two majors, which can be an asset in a competitive job market while also providing a flexible basis for further postgraduate coursework or research study. The honours year (third year) is both a preparation for postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate degree. Honours extends your intellectual range, hones your research abilities and analytical techniques, and helps you to develop the personal and professional skills needed to see a research project though to completion. The Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) third year comprises seminar classes and work toward a short thesis on an independent research project under the supervision of an academic staff member who is an expert in the field of your research.

Progression rules

A major in the Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) comprises the satisfactory completion of a minimum 36 credit points (cp) of senior units of study in the chosen subject area, including any units of study specified in the table of undergraduate units of study as compulsory for that major. All students complete a major and must meet additional pre-requisites for honours admission, normally a minimum 48cp of senior units of study in the subject area with a Credit average. In addition, students in this course must maintain a credit average across all units of study. Students who do not meet these progression requirements, will be allowed to enrol as a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree with full credit for all units of study successfully completed in the Bachelor of Arts (Advanced)(Honours).
Units of study completed at the University of Sydney Summer School which correspond to units of study permitted to count to this degree may be credited towards the course requirements. A standard full-time enrolment is 24cp per semester; less than 18cp per semester is considered to be part-time. A student may not enrol in more than 30cp in any one semester without permission. Prerequisites and corequisites may apply for that unit of study. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.

What is a major?

A major is usually a two year defined sequence of study, generally comprising specified units of study in a particular subject area. Majors are included on students' testamurs. The Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) requires that students complete at least one major from the subject areas taught by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. In most cases, a major consists of at least 36 credit points (cp) in senior (2000/3000-level) units of study (6cp each) from a single subject area of study. Senior units of study can only be used to meet the requirements for one major. Units cannot be 'double counted' or 'counted twice'. For example, FRNC2622 may be counted to either a major in French studies or a major in European studies major, but cannot be counted towards both. The exact requirements for majors may differ between subject areas. Many majors require the completion of at least two junior (1000-level) prerequisite units of study (6cp each), so students in this accelerated course will discuss their study plans with a senior academic staff member prior to enrolment.

What is an elective?

An elective is a unit of study within a degree, usually an option within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject. Electives can be selected from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or from other faculties within the university (subject to permission from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences).

Course opportunities

Most subject areas within the Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) allow for students to take part in an international exchange program. The program enables students to enhance their skills in a language other than English and their knowledge of other societies and cultures.

Graduate opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) offers a range of subject areas that prepare graduates for careers in administration, education, business research, marketing, media, management consultancy, public relations, gallery and museum curatorship, hospitality and tourism, community and welfare. Our graduates are proficient in research and inquiry, and demonstrate personal and intellectual autonomy, and ethical, social and professional understanding, qualities sought after by leading employers all over the world.

Course accreditation

Sydney Arts students are encouraged to become members of professional associations concerned with their areas of study. Association membership for students is often heavily discounted and may provide: opportunities for networking; conferences on topical issues providing local and international perspectives; research on areas of practice, quality and innovation; interest groups in specific areas of industry; regular journals and other publications; access to current salary information based on surveys conducted by the association; advice on workplace agreements; events offering professional development and ongoing learning; scholarships, awards and prizes; further study (including short courses, professional accreditation programs, or postgraduate qualifications).

Further study

Eligible candidates apply for admission to a rich postgraduate program in the humanities and social sciences, comprising advanced learning and professional courses. Master degrees include capstone projects ranging from internships with government and non-government organisations in Australia and overseas, the gallery and museum sector, and leading media organisations, to opportunities for independent research projects. Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) graduates are eligible for accelerated admission to a higher degree by research in their area of study. Our research extends across a diverse range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, embracing traditional, emerging and cross-disciplinary subjects. Staff in the Faculty enjoy international reputations in their chosen fields, reflected in the high level of academic publications published each year. For more details, see our research degrees [hyperlinks]: Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy; Master of Arts (Research); Doctor of Arts; and Doctor of Social Sciences.

About honours

After completing their Bachelor of Arts (Pass) degree, as many as one third of our students undertake a year of specialised research training to gain the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. While the honours year is usually taken in one area, you can combine two related honours programs into a joint honours year, or undertake a double honours over two years.

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking.

Assumed knowledge

It is recommended that students choose units of study from a subject area with which they have some familiarity, however most subject areas assume no previous knowledge. Some specialist areas (eg languages) require specific prerequisites that include additional junior units of study, so only those students with prior knowledge (eg to 2 unit HSC level for languages) will be admitted to this accelerated course as no junior units of study are included.

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of September. On-time applications for the July Semester close in May. Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students not available for Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours).

Annual review

Annual review not available for Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours).

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

Additional incidental fees and health insurance not available for Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours).

Potential for inaccuracy

Potential for inaccuracy not available for Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours).