Bachelor of Arts

American Studies is a unique field that examines the history, culture, society, laws, foreign policy and politics of the US. Units examine the US's evolution and why it is a dominant cultural and political force in the 21st century.

About this major

American Studies is a unique field that examines the history, culture, society, laws, foreign policy and politics of the US. Units examine the US's evolution and why it is a dominant cultural and political force in the 21st century. From the study of America's government to its popular culture, you will be challenged to think creatively about the construction and meaning of American identity and power, while developing analytic and research skills that span the humanities and social sciences.

An American Studies major will give you broad, multi-faceted knowledge of this complex, diverse and dynamic nation and its relationship with the broader world. You will analyse the US using a variety of different approaches. In addition to core American Studies units, you can take cross-listed units of study from the Disciplines of English, History, Gender and Cultural Studies, and Government and International Relations. With such diversity of perspectives, an American Studies major is a unique opportunity to learn a variety of disciplinary approaches and methodologies.

Undertaking a major in American Studies will give you access to the widest range of US-focused units of study and to the largest concentration of academics working on the US, of any university in Australia.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

An Ancient Greek major allows you to read, in the original, works of immense cultural and literary significance by the great writers of the ancient Mediterranean world. The study of philosophy, history, drama, lyric, epic, the novel, and oratory begins in Greece, and Greek contributions to world literature are undisputed models of perfection in every later age. Reading the actual words of Homer, Euripides, Plato or the New Testament is an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.

About this major

You will study a wide variety of important texts from key periods and genres in the development of this hugely influential literature, gaining an understanding of its themes, preoccupations and complex reflection of Greek (particularly Classical Athenian) culture. You will develop your linguistic ability as you progress through a series of units that introduce, practise and then analyse in context Greek morphology and syntax. You may begin either at introductory level, if you have no prior knowledge of Greek, or at intermediate level if you have studied Greek to HSC-level (or equivalent).

The culmination of this major is in-depth study and nuanced appreciation of works of celebrated Greek authors. It will also help you to develop key skills including the ability to carefully analyse language and to construct clear and persuasive arguments both orally and with the written word.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Classics and Ancient History.

View the Ancient Greek Unit timetable. 
Please note this timetable is indicative only.

Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human. It’s a field that values direct engagement with individuals to understand their lives and perspectives. Anthropologists are curious about how people interpret their own worlds.
 

About this major

Anthropologists are curious about how people interpret their own worlds. We take a global, comparativist, and relativist perspective that assumes there is no single 'right' way for people to live. This means we bring unique insights to many current debates about human futures. In a time when our collective existence is under threat, anthropologists are exploring alternative ways to be human and to heal our world

Students in anthropology delve into human experiences through ethnographic interpretations, and participate in debates about our global future in which they seek new possibilities. They will explore pressing questions about our relationship with the environment; the impact of global inequality on health and development; the legacies of colonialism and racism; and emerging struggles for justice.

Graduates in anthropology are creative thinkers who can effectively express ideas, ask challenging questions, and find new solutions to complex problems. They are prepared for a variety of careers in media, research, technology, social justice, and social policy, and for professional and postgraduate programs.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Anthropology.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency.

About this major

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. Political and economic developments in the Arab world and parts of the Middle East, like the internationalisation of businesses and professions around the world, have made understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic an increasingly valuable skill. Arabic is also a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage that deserves to be studied in its own right.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language. To complement your language study, you can choose from a wide range of Arabic literature, culture, art, and film classes.

Our teaching is strongly focused on student participation, communication, and cultural immersion, which will help you develop both communicative Arabic language skills and cultural competency. You will gain the background knowledge necessary to understand the diversity of Arab societies today and over time, and be equipped to conduct cross-regional projects and to interrogate geo-cultural boundaries.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Arabic Languages and Cultures.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Arabic Language and Cultures (Advanced) pathway is suitable for students who are post-HSC Continuers or Extension.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language.

About this major

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. Political and economic developments in the Arab world and parts of the Middle East, like the internationalisation of businesses and professions around the world, have made understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic an increasingly valuable skill. Arabic is also a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage that deserves to be studied in its own right.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language. To complement your language study, you can choose from a wide range of Arabic literature, culture, art, and film classes.

Our teaching is strongly focused on student participation, communication, and cultural immersion, which will help you develop both communicative Arabic language skills and cultural competency. You will gain the background knowledge necessary to understand the diversity of Arab societies today and over time, and be equipped to conduct cross-regional projects and to interrogate geo-cultural boundaries.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Arabic Languages and Cultures.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Arabic Language and Cultures (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for students who have completed HSC Beginners.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures (Introductory) equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language.

About this major

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. Political and economic developments in the Arab world and parts of the Middle East, like the internationalisation of businesses and professions around the world, have made understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic an increasingly valuable skill. Arabic is also a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage that deserves to be studied in its own right.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language. To complement your language study, you can choose from a wide range of Arabic literature, culture, art, and film classes.

Our teaching is strongly focused on student participation, communication, and cultural immersion, which will help you develop both communicative Arabic language skills and cultural competency. You will gain the background knowledge necessary to understand the diversity of Arab societies today and over time, and be equipped to conduct cross-regional projects and to interrogate geo-cultural boundaries.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Arabic Languages and Cultures.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Arabic Language and Cultures (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

Archaeologists employ material evidence to study our human past. For students this is often an unfamiliar and exciting method of exploring bygone societies. The physical  evidence of the past is able to tell us much that written evidence cannot. Most people were never able to document their own histories, and much of our human past unfolded before writing came in to use. 

The archaeology major will provide you with an understanding of the past of humans in a variety of times and places to give you an insight into long-term trends in human life. This major will also equip you with the intellectual and practical skills to gather, analyse and interpret primary archaeological evidence in order to answer questions about prehistoric and historic societies.

The archaeology major contains broad coverage of the breadth of archaeological work, which allows you to undertake specialist training in one of three regional areas: Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East/central Asia. Practical field and laboratory methods are taught, and there are opportunities to participate in fieldwork units locally and around the world, as well as in one of our intensive Summer Schools program in Athens or Rome.

Archaeology is a dynamic discipline that has revolutionised our understanding of the human past. Evidence is continuously unearthed and reveals unexpected and exciting glimpses of past societies. This major allows you to explore these vistas of human existence and to learn how archaeologists bring life to past societies.

A degree in Archaeology can lead to employment, especially in the expanding heritage consultancy business

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Archaeology discipline. 

Art History explores the history of making, viewing and experiencing works of art and architecture. You will gain the historical knowledge and analytical skills to make sense of such works across time and space, to relate them to each other and to the specific historical and cultural contexts for which they were created.

About this major

Art is a profound and persistent human impulse. Art History explores the history of making, viewing and experiencing works of art and architecture. It asks key questions such as 'what is art for?', 'what does art mean?' and 'how does art function in broader culture?' These questions will be part of a dynamic encounter with complex and compelling works of art.

You will gain the historical knowledge and analytical skills to make sense of such works across time and space, to relate them to each other and to the specific historical and cultural contexts for which they were created. You will be trained in the skills of visual and spatial analysis that are fundamental to our discipline including the ability to critically interpret the visual appearance of a given object. As well as the canonical forms of painting, sculpture and architecture, you will encounter a wide spectrum of media and art practice, from body art to video installation, from fresco to pop, from processional ritual to performance art, from early prints to land art.

Studying the history of art fosters insight and skills in understanding and interpreting visual communication, expression and innovation that are highly relevant in today's image-saturated world. As a graduate you may go on to a career in the visual arts industry, as a curator, critic, art adviser, collection manager, registrar or educator. Work in art museums, commercial galleries, auction houses, state and local government or community arts programs, as well as across art journalism and criticism.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Art History.

In the Asian Century, the task of understanding the region is vital to the future. Understanding Asia relies on gaining a foundation in its major civilisational traditions, as well as in the issues of contemporary culture and society.

About this major

In the Asian Century, the task of understanding the region is vital to the future. Understanding Asia relies on gaining a foundation in its major civilisational traditions, as well as in the issues of contemporary culture and society.

This major will introduce and identify major cultural, historical, social and political trends and issues, including ethnicity and mobility (or diaspora); the major religions and belief systems (particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam); other trans-regional trends, including economic and political relationships between Asia and other parts of the world (for example forms of imperialism); major political and social developments and movements of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and their effects (e.g. nationalism, revolution, military rule, democracy); and mass or popular culture (including topics such as manga and K-Pop). These trends and issues are particularly taught in relation to China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Asian Studies is taught in English and draws on the cutting-edge research being carried out by the academic staff of the program. Language units of study cannot be counted towards the Asian Studies major, however you are strongly encouraged to study an Asian language in conjunction with Asian Studies units.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Asian Studies.

Criminology is a rich discipline that draws on sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, culture studies and history to draw attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assess the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures. You will gain an advanced understanding of crime, criminal justice practices, deviance, causes of crime, victimisation, social control, juvenile justice, indigenous justice, crime prevention, prison and other alternatives to punishment, as well as medico-legal forensic practices.

About this major

Criminology is a rich discipline that draws on sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, culture studies and history to draw attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assess the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures. You will gain an advanced understanding of crime, criminal justice practices, deviance, causes of crime, victimisation, social control, juvenile justice, indigenous justice, crime prevention, prison and other alternatives to punishment, as well as medico-legal forensic practices.

The first-year units lay the foundation to the study of crime, social harm and the criminal justice system. Second year units will deepen your understanding of criminology theories and concepts, as well as the criminal justice institutions and practices. You will analyse key debates around crime in relation to topics such as youth, race, gender, ethnicity and Indigeneity. In addition, you will critically examine how society responds to crime through social control and the criminal justice institutions and practices.

A key focus is on features of policing, sentencing, punishment, prisons and alternatives to punishment, such as restorative justice. In third-year units you will consolidate your critical analytical skills in criminology as you delve into complex relationship between crime, law, medicine and science. In addition, you will critically analyse the development and nature of criminal justice in relation to the complex interface of “law and order politics’, the media, culture, crime and society. Finally, you will be able to apply your advanced knowledge to a piece of criminological research of your choice.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology.

The Cultural Studies major introduces you to critical approaches used in the study of a wide variety of cultural forms and practices. Cultural Studies is a field of study in which culture is understood not just as textual or artistic products like books, music or films, but in the broader sense of a dynamic and complexly patterned way of life.

About this major

The Cultural Studies major introduces you to critical approaches used in the study of a wide variety of cultural forms and practices. Cultural Studies is a field of study in which culture is understood not just as textual or artistic products like books, music or films, but in the broader sense of a dynamic and complexly patterned way of life.

The Cultural Studies major helps you understand the complexity of everyday life and the way that habits, texts, objects and beliefs are socially patterned and laden with values and meaning. It will provide you with a range of tools to analyse how cultural practices and meanings are produced, circulated and exchanged. It complements all forms of study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as Media and Communications, Education, and Law.

You will be equipped to become an informed and engaged critical thinker in relation to important contemporary cultural issues and everyday experiences.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies.

The Digital Cultures major critically investigates the internet, digital media and emerging technologies and the roles they play in contemporary society, culture, business, politics, the arts and everyday life. You will explore the interface between emerging new media technologies and cultural practices involving information, communication, knowledge, identities and power and build a rich understanding of how new technologies are generated, circulated and consumed.

About this major

Topics covered in the Digital Cultures major include the web; social media; online identities; mobile media; social networks; computer games; virtual communities; digital media production techniques, theories of technology and culture; digital research; and media arts.

This major places intelligent, interactive, mobile and networked technologies in context, taking a critical approach that draws on sociology, history, philosophy, digital media studies, cultural studies and science and technology studies to understand the dramatic changes emerging as digital media proliferate. Our teaching combines face-to-face coursework with online exercises and practical work in computer labs.

As a graduate, you will be a skilled communicator and critical analyst of new technologies and the latest developments in digital media across Australian and global contexts. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this major will position you to take up strategic leadership roles in digital media teams.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Media and Communications. 

Econometrics focuses on the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to the analysis of social, financial, business and economic data, which is available in ever-increasing quantity and complexity. This major will develop your understanding of the statistical analysis of data and give you an economic framework within which to interpret results.

About this major

Econometrics focuses on the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to the analysis of social, financial, business and economic data, which is available in ever-increasing quantity and complexity. It blends the essentials of economics with a balanced and rigorous training in modern econometric theory and associated empirical methods. This major will develop your understanding of the statistical analysis of data and give you an economic framework within which to interpret results.

The Econometrics major provides training for areas of high demand, with employers increasingly looking for graduates with highly sophisticated quantitative skills. Outstanding employment prospects are available to graduates across a wide range of industries, both in the private and public sectors.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics.

The Economic Policy Analysis major focuses on developing the theoretical economic and statistical skills to be able to effectively understand and implement economic policy. A focus of the major will include an assessment of the limitation of various economic policies, including their distributional consequences.

About this major

The Economic Policy Analysis major focuses on developing the theoretical economic and statistical skills to be able to effectively understand and implement economic policy. This will provide a framework for the systematic analysis of policy, an understanding of the rationales for government activity in the economy, and a method for comparing the effectiveness of proposed policies using economic tools of analysis.

A focus of the major will include an assessment of the limitation of various economic policies, including their distributional consequences. An emphasis will also be placed on the effective communication of policy analysis.

As a graduate you could pursue a career as a policy analyst, economic commentator or journalist, or advisor in the government or NGO sectors.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics.

This major conveys a valuable understanding of the context of business and government and the technical skills required to analyse economic and social data and events. Develop key capabilities for business fields such as financial markets, marketing, transport and logistics, international trade and consulting or the media.

About this major

Offered by one of Australia’s highly ranked centres in economics, this major conveys a valuable understanding of the context of business and government and the technical skills required to analyse economic and social data and events. Develop key capabilities for business fields such as financial markets, marketing, transport and logistics, international trade and consulting or the media. 

The objective of the major in Economics is to prepare you for the diverse range of careers which value the key skills of the discipline. These include understanding economic and social phenomena, analysing economic data, and exploring alternative choices in addressing key challenges. The major builds your training in economics incrementally. It begins by addressing the essentials of the discipline early in the degree, which opens a wide range of study areas at senior level. This allows you to shape concentrations in areas of interest such as macroeconomics, or in areas of applied economic policy.

Our graduates are leaders in their fields, holding positions at the Reserve Bank, Treasury and other government departments, in global financial institutions, and with international agencies and NGOs. They also go on to further study at some of the finest institutions in the world.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics.

View the Economics Unit timetable.
Please note this timetable is indicative only.

The Education Studies Major is taken by all students enrolled in undergraduate education degrees offered by Sydney School of Education and Social Work but is also available as an area of study to students who do not wish to become teachers but are interested in knowing more about education. 

About this major

The Education Studies Major is taken by all students enrolled in undergraduate education degrees offered by Sydney School of Education and Social Work but is also available as an area of study to students who do not wish to become teachers but are interested in knowing more about education. Providing foundational study in education, the Education Studies Major will introduce you to the study of education, with specialist units on sociological perspectives on education, psychological perspectives on education, Aboriginal Education and Special and Inclusive Education.

In their third year, students can choose a specialist unit from areas such as psychology of education, creativity and education, global and international education, the contexts of education in Australia – Aboriginal Community and Country. Offered on a rotating basis, selective units include: child development and educational neuroscience; Mentoring in Educational Contexts; Creative Ecologies – Pedagogies and Praxis; Aboriginal Community-led Education; and Sex, gender and sexuality in education.

In their final year of study, students will complete the FASS Interdisciplinary Impact unit and the Education Capstone Unit.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

An English major will introduce you to a wide range of literary and cultural works including poems, plays, novels and films that extend from medieval times to the present day. You will encounter the richness, breadth and depth of the discipline's research and teaching culture, allowing you to customise your study according to your interests.

About this major

Areas of specialisation include Old and Middle English (800-1500); Early Modern (1500-1750); Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century; Modern and Contemporary; Australian, American, British and World literatures; literary theory; cultural, gender, postcolonial and transnational studies; film, multimedia, linguistics and language studies; and creative writing

Whatever pathway you choose, you will explore questions about genre, period and place across a wide spectrum of works in English. You will learn to analyse and explain the formal and linguistic features of texts, aspects of their genre and history, and their dynamic role in local and global cultures. You will formulate and pursue meaningful theories of critical analysis, reading communities and literary value.

We offer a broad and dynamic discipline that will prepare you for a career in teaching, the media, public and community service, and academia, and in any vocation or area that demands intellectual flexibility and versatility, critical thinking and the ability to communicate. The cultural knowledge and analytical skills provided by an English major are not only marketable for this variety of vocations but will enrich you, and carry you through your life.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by English discipline.

The European Studies major focuses on the societies, politics and cultures of Europe. Our units study present-day Europe, its problems and successes, its diversity, its conflicts and its achievements, and its relationship to the world, as well as some of the historical background to present-day issues. 

About this major

The European Studies major focuses on the societies, politics and cultures of Europe. Our units study present-day Europe, its problems and successes, its diversity, its conflicts and its achievements, and its relationship to the world, as well as some of the historical background to present-day issues. We look at both the European Union'the world's most advanced supranational federation of states and its most progressive superpower'and the wider European continent of which it is part. The major draws on the expertise of specialists in French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies and Political Economy.

You can take European Studies as a major or minor, or you can simply enrol in one of our elective or Open Learning Environment units. You do not need to speak a European language to enrol in European Studies as all classes are conducted in English and use English language texts. However, we encourage you to complement your European Studies by gaining competence in a European language through completing a second major or minor in a European language.

You can also complete a period of exchange study at one of the many University of Sydney partner universities in Europe. In addition, through our senior project-based units, including our Internships for Credit program, you will develop professional and problem-solving skills relating to contemporary issues in Europe.

For further specialisation, you can complete a fourth year in European Studies, either as an honours student, working on an individual research project, or specialising in project-based fourth year units that will further enhance your professional skills.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the European Studies.

The Film Studies major is a vibrant program that develops this critical visual literacy. It equips you with a range of skills for understanding and analysing cinema as a vital and yet everyday part of modern life. Through close familiarity with a range of case studies, you will come to understand the social, cultural, aesthetic and political dimensions of cinema in different contexts and at different times.

About this major

Studying film draws on both our intellect and our imagination. As an accessible and even ubiquitous transnational cultural form, film opens us to other worlds, other lives, and other ways of seeing.

People have been making, watching and writing about movies for just over a century. In a culture that increasingly relies on visual information, an understanding of the moving image is essential to understanding society. The Film Studies major is a vibrant program that develops this critical visual literacy. It equips you with a range of skills for understanding and analysing cinema as a vital and yet everyday part of modern life. Through close familiarity with a range of case studies, you will come to understand the social, cultural, aesthetic and political dimensions of cinema in different contexts and at different times.

In Film Studies you will learn scholarly terms that will enable you to describe what you see on screen in relation to, for instance, camera movements and editing techniques or traditions of screen performance. You will develop rich understandings of concepts such as national cinema, genre and spectatorship through a diverse range of case studies. You will also study the historical development of film as a cultural and technological form and analyse its transformations across the 20th century to the present day.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook. 

About this major

Financial Economics is focused on the economic models used in finance, and the econometric skills needed to apply these models to financial markets and other economic data. Through this major you will gain high-level training to understand both how financial markets work and how to analyse financial data.

This is an area of high employer demand which spans a range of diverse fields. As a graduate you will have excellent employment prospects in the financial sector or in a financial regulatory agency like the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics. 

About this major

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

Whatever your prior knowledge of French, the department provides pathways to a French major. You can enrol in our introductory, intermediate or advanced stream, and there are options for `fast-tracking' to a higher level. You will study French language and the history, societies, literatures and cultures of France and la Francophonie. In addition, you can spend a semester or a year on exchange in France, Switzerland or Canada.

Most classes are in French, with content, class activities and assessment all adapted to your language level in each year of study. Our teaching is strongly focused on participation and interaction, so that you develop autonomy as learners of French and as independent thinkers.

As a graduate you can work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and a range of international organisations.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in French and Francophone Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The French and Francophone Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for French Continuers 80% or more or French Continuers + Extension or IB Standard or Higher Level.

About this major

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

Whatever your prior knowledge of French, the department provides pathways to a French major. You can enrol in our introductory, intermediate or advanced stream, and there are options for `fast-tracking' to a higher level. You will study French language and the history, societies, literatures and cultures of France and la Francophonie. In addition, you can spend a semester or a year on exchange in France, Switzerland or Canada.

Most classes are in French, with content, class activities and assessment all adapted to your language level in each year of study. Our teaching is strongly focused on participation and interaction, so that you develop autonomy as learners of French and as independent thinkers.

As a graduate you can work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and a range of international organisations.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in French and Francophone Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The French and Francophone Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners or HSC French Continuers below 80% or IB Ab Initio Grade 4-6.

About this major

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

Whatever your prior knowledge of French, the department provides pathways to a French major. You can enrol in our introductory, intermediate or advanced stream, and there are options for `fast-tracking' to a higher level. You will study French language and the history, societies, literatures and cultures of France and la Francophonie. In addition, you can spend a semester or a year on exchange in France, Switzerland or Canada.

Most classes are in French, with content, class activities and assessment all adapted to your language level in each year of study. Our teaching is strongly focused on participation and interaction, so that you develop autonomy as learners of French and as independent thinkers.

As a graduate you can work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and a range of international organisations.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in French and Francophone Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The French and Francophone Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

The Gender Studies major offers you a unique interdisciplinary perspective on how gender shapes both formal knowledge and everyday experience. It encourages you to think beyond common-sense ideas about what it means to be male or female, and to recognise instead the many different ways that people embody and experience gender. The study of gender is one of the most intellectually challenging and socially important areas of enquiry in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

A major in Gender Studies will enrich your knowledge and understandings of masculinity, femininity, sexuality and identity and will provide an important framework for considering social issues, ranging from debates about marriage equality and new forms of intimacy to gendered forms of labour, violence and representational practices.

This major equips you with critical and conceptual skills, as well as research and writing skills that provide an important complement to degrees in Arts and Social Sciences, Law, Psychology, Nursing and Medicine and will assist in enhancing career prospects in these disciplines and fields.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies.

About this major

The Germanic Studies major focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a major in Germanic Studies.

You can begin German language studies at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR: A1 - C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills.

German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, applied linguistics, film, history and society from the 17th century to the present. Through these seminars, you will gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich, and Vienna as part of your major.

The Germanic Studies major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German as a Minor or German units as electives. If you have already completed your undergraduate study, you can still study German by taking the Diploma in Language Studies.

Our graduates have a good understanding of German culture and society and can take advantage of career opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to Honours and Postgraduate Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Germanic Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Germanic Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for those who have completed HSC German Extension course or the HSC German Continuers course (with a mark above 70).

About this major

The Germanic Studies major focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a major in Germanic Studies.

You can begin German language studies at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR: A1 - C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills.

German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, applied linguistics, film, history and society from the 17th century to the present. Through these seminars, you will gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich, and Vienna as part of your major.

The Germanic Studies major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German as a Minor or German units as electives. If you have already completed your undergraduate study, you can still study German by taking the Diploma in Language Studies.

Our graduates have a good understanding of German culture and society and can take advantage of career opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to Honours and Postgraduate Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Germanic Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Discipline of Germanic Studies for advice.

This pathway is suitable for those that have completed HSC Beginners course (with a mark above 70) or the German Continuers (with a mark below 70), or equivalent.

About this major

The Germanic Studies major focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a major in Germanic Studies.

You can begin German language studies at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR: A1 - C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills.

German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, applied linguistics, film, history and society from the 17th century to the present. Through these seminars, you will gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich, and Vienna as part of your major.

The Germanic Studies major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German as a Minor or German units as electives. If you have already completed your undergraduate study, you can still study German by taking the Diploma in Language Studies.

Our graduates have a good understanding of German culture and society and can take advantage of career opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to Honours and Postgraduate Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Germanic Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact Discipline of Germanic Studies for advice.

The Germanic Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew major is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry. By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew major offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you will be directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.

Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew major and those offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will also have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Hebrew (Modern).

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Hebrew (Modern) (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers or Extension.

About this major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew major is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry. By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew major offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you will be directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.

Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew major and those offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will also have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Hebrew (Modern).

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Hebrew (Modern) (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners who receive a mark higher than 70.

About this major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew major is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry. By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew major offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you will be directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.

Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew major and those offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will also have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Hebrew (Modern).

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Hebrew (Modern) (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

The History major equips you to understand change, to look at things from different perspectives, and to assess diverse kinds of information.

At the heart of your first year is The History Workshop. You will join a small-group class that takes a particular time and place as the starting point for the examination of social, cultural, political, or economic change. This class introduces you to historical thinking and teaches you disciplinary skills in an intensive but informal learning environment. The History Workshop is complemented by units on world history over the past 1000 years that will provide you with a broad framework for understanding change and making comparisons.

In your second and third years, you will explore a variety of subjects - from sexuality and war to politics and culture, from the history of ideas to the history of food - in a range of times and places - spanning from the Middle Ages to the present, from Australia and China to the United States and Europe. You will have the freedom to choose which times and places you wish to focus on. As the largest history major in Australia, the University of Sydney offers a wide range of options.

The major culminates in a capstone unit that, depending on your interests, explores the theory of history, gives you the opportunity to do extensive research on a topic you choose yourself, or enables you to work with community groups and other organisations to apply your history skills beyond the classroom.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of History. 

About this major

Develop a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and knowledge systems, drawing upon the ideas and methods of disciplines including history, anthropology, sociology, literature, linguistics, film and health studies. Indigenous Studies involves these disciplines in a critical dialogue with traditional and contemporary Indigenous people and cultures, and with social and political histories of colonisation and decolonisation.

The units offered reflect national and international trends in the discipline of Indigenous Studies, and articulate the many voices, perspectives and priorities of Indigenous peoples and communities. You will be given the opportunity to engage in analysis, discussion and debate around key issues that are of significance to Australian and international Indigenous peoples, such as language revitalisation, world-leading Indigenous film and literature, the ongoing efforts to improve Indigenous health outcomes and the broader pursuit of Indigenous self-determination and social justice.

Taught by Indigenous and non-Indigenous academic staff from across the University, and experts from the wider community, Indigenous Studies units are offered through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and are available to all students.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by Indigenous studies. 

About this major

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

As a graduate you will have strong language abilities, transferable academic skills, and substantive country knowledge. The Indonesian Studies major will provide you with the linguistic and academic skills required to use Indonesian in a variety of settings, and to conduct research using Indonesian language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Indonesian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Indonesian Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC Indonesian Continuers or HSC Indonesian Extension with a mark of 80% or above.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate student, you will learn about the impact of Indonesia's complex archipelagic geography on its peoples and cultures in a context where colonisation and modernity are merely the most recent of many waves of foreign influence. If you are an advanced learner or a background speaker, you will have the opportunity to study key aspects of modern Indonesian society through thematic seminars taught in the Indonesian language.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Indonesian Studies.

About this major

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

As a graduate you will have strong language abilities, transferable academic skills, and substantive country knowledge. The Indonesian Studies major will provide you with the linguistic and academic skills required to use Indonesian in a variety of settings, and to conduct research using Indonesian language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Indonesian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Indonesian Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Indonesian Continuers or HSC Indonesian Extension or HSC Indonesian Beginners with a mark of 75% or above.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate student, you will learn about the impact of Indonesia's complex archipelagic geography on its peoples and cultures in a context where colonisation and modernity are merely the most recent of many waves of foreign influence. If you are an advanced learner or a background speaker, you will have the opportunity to study key aspects of modern Indonesian society through thematic seminars taught in the Indonesian language.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Indonesian Studies.

About this major

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

As a graduate you will have strong language abilities, transferable academic skills, and substantive country knowledge. The Indonesian Studies major will provide you with the linguistic and academic skills required to use Indonesian in a variety of settings, and to conduct research using Indonesian language.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate student, you will learn about the impact of Indonesia's complex archipelagic geography on its peoples and cultures in a context where colonisation and modernity are merely the most recent of many waves of foreign influence. If you are an advanced learner or a background speaker, you will have the opportunity to study key aspects of modern Indonesian society through thematic seminars taught in the Indonesian language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Indonesian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Indonesian Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Indonesian Studies.

About this major

International Relations is the study of the international political, social, cultural and economic system. You will explore the historical development of that system and gain a comprehensive understanding of the actors, institutions, and processes of international relations.

The major focuses on territorial states that acknowledge no superior authority over issues vital to national interest. You will analyse the nature of this system—the rules and forces governing the behaviour of states, the factors that lead to military conflict or peaceful co-operation, and the current trends towards both a more globally integrated, and a more fragmented world.

In your first year you will be introduced to the core theories, concepts and institutions in international relations, and the history of international system. The second and third year units progressively build upon these foundations, further developing your understanding of central issues, including international security, international organisations, international political economy, and international law. You will also explore the role that international institutions play in shaping policy decisions at the global level.

This major covers key research and teaching areas including:

• the study of the politics of countries around the world, and the way these nations interact in the international arena (foreign affairs, strategic behaviour and diplomacy)
• policy-making processes at the international level
• war and peace, security, terrorism, the international political economy, global cultures, international environmental politics, human rights and security. 

As a graduate you will have developed critical analytical skills and knowledge desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, both domestically and internationally.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

This vibrant and innovative major is taught by lecturers from the School of Languages and Cultures and the School of Literature, Art and Media. You will learn from lecturers whose disciplinary backgrounds are in literature, film studies, theatre studies, cultural studies, translation studies, and social sciences, and with expertise in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditional and modern cultures.

Built upon comparative literary theories, the major is personally rewarding and helps to prepare you for a range of possible career paths in publishing, advertising, media industries, government and non-government organisations, and academic research.

Through a range of comparative units focusing on themes such as cities of the world, relations between textual and visual arts, or on genres such as science fiction, you will look at how questions of society, history, culture and politics have been framed within literature from different traditions at different periods of time.

There are no foreign language requirements as lectures are delivered in English and tutorial discussions are based on texts in English translation. However, reading knowledge of at least one language other than English is required for Honours and Postgraduate study.

This major is offered by International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies.

About this major

The discipline of Italian Studies is one of the best resourced in Australia offering programs from absolute language beginners to PhD. At Undergraduate level, it offers a wide range of language and culture units of study. The language units cater for students at different entry points and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic skills. The culture units aim to develop in-depth understanding of some of the most representative Italian authors, thinkers, and literary and intellectual movements from the Middle Ages to the present, within their historical and socio-cultural context; and of contemporary Italy from a socio-linguistic, historical and cultural perspective.

If you wish to major in Italian Studies you are expected to engage with both language acquisition and cultural studies, in order to gain a deep understanding of the close connection between language and culture. All our units of study aim to develop your analytical and critical skills, so as to enable you to pursue your interest in all aspects of Italian language, literature and culture, and equip you with the necessary skills for Honours and postgraduate studies. We also strongly encourage you to spend a semester in Italy as part of your undergraduate studies, and to this effect we have developed agreements with several Italian Universities.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Italian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Italian Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers who receive a mark of 80 of higher, or HSC Extension, or IB Italian.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

The discipline of Italian Studies is one of the best resourced in Australia offering programs from absolute language beginners to PhD. At Undergraduate level, it offers a wide range of language and culture units of study. The language units cater for students at different entry points and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic skills. The culture units aim to develop in-depth understanding of some of the most representative Italian authors, thinkers, and literary and intellectual movements from the Middle Ages to the present, within their historical and socio-cultural context; and of contemporary Italy from a socio-linguistic, historical and cultural perspective.

If you wish to major in Italian Studies you are expected to engage with both language acquisition and cultural studies, in order to gain a deep understanding of the close connection between language and culture. All our units of study aim to develop your analytical and critical skills, so as to enable you to pursue your interest in all aspects of Italian language, literature and culture, and equip you with the necessary skills for Honours and postgraduate studies. We also strongly encourage you to spend a semester in Italy as part of your undergraduate studies, and to this effect we have developed agreements with several Italian Universities.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Italian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Italian Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners or Italian IB Ab Initio who receive a mark higher than 70 or HSC Continuers who receive less than 80.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

The Italian Studies discipline is one of the best resourced in Australia offering programs from absolute language beginners to PhD. At Undergraduate level, it offers a wide range of language and culture units of study. The language units cater for students at different entry points and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic skills. The culture units aim to develop in-depth understanding of some of the most representative Italian authors, thinkers, and literary and intellectual movements from the Middle Ages to the present, within their historical and socio-cultural context; and of contemporary Italy from a socio-linguistic, historical and cultural perspective.

If you wish to major in Italian Studies you are expected to engage with both language acquisition and cultural studies, in order to gain a deep understanding of the close connection between language and culture. All our units of study aim to develop your analytical and critical skills, so as to enable you to pursue your interest in all aspects of Italian language, literature and culture, and equip you with the necessary skills for Honours and postgraduate studies. We also strongly encourage you to spend a semester in Italy as part of your undergraduate studies, and to this effect we have developed agreements with several Italian Universities.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Italian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Italian Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC continuers 90 and above or HSC extension 75 and above.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

The Japanese Studies (introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience. With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills. 

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Junior Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Japanese Continuers with a final mark of less than 70 or HSC Japanese Beginners with a final mark of 65.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Senior Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC continuers 70 and above or HSC extension less than 75.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture covers history, philosophy, literature, religion, ethics and cultural studies. Explore two millennia of Jewish civilisation focussing on the historical evolution of Judaism, and how Jewish identity has been moulded by key Jewish thinkers and the Jewish historical experience. Trace this journey through periods of continuity as well as radical change, including the seismic shifts that the Jews experience as both sovereign and diaspora peoples.

Gain insight into the rich cultural heritage of a small minority and their significant contributions to broader world culture in both the Christian and later Muslim worlds. This major focuses on three basic periods: the Classical (Talmudic and post-Talmudic periods in Palestine, the Middle East and Asia); the Medieval, with a focus on the key centres which developed first in Spain and later in Poland; and finally the Modern (and contemporary) era, studying emancipation and the challenges of modernity, the Holocaust, Jewish nationalism and statehood.

All units of study are conducted in English and use texts in English. Study of Hebrew is encouraged in conjunction with this major, and a basic knowledge of either Hebrew Classical or Modern, or German is required for honours and postgraduate study.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This minor will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies minor will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a minor will be awarded a minor in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers who receive a mark of 80 or higher.

This major is offered by the Department of Korean Studies.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This major will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies major will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Heritage Speakers) pathway is suitable for native or heritage speakers of Korean or HSC Korean in Context.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This major will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies major will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Korean Beginners or HSC Korean Continuers with a final mark of less than 80.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This major will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies major will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Learn to read works of immense cultural and literary significance by the iconic writers of ancient Rome. Latin is the direct ancestor of nearly 50 modern languages and a major contributor to the vocabulary of many others, including English. It was also the language of European literature, history, science, medicine, diplomacy and law for nearly 2000 years. The Latin major opens up intellectual vistas vital for exploring the past or navigating the present.

A major in Latin gives you an advanced ability to read and critically analyse Latin literature. You will study a wide variety of important works from key periods in the development of this hugely influential literature, gaining an understanding of its themes, preoccupations and Roman cultural significance.

Linguistic ability is developed as you progress through a series of units that introduce, practise and then analyse in context Latin morphology and syntax. You may begin either at 1000 level, if you have no prior knowledge of Latin, or at 2000 level if you have studied Latin previously to HSC-level (or equivalent).

The culmination of the major is in-depth study and a nuanced appreciation of celebrated Roman authors. This major will open pathways to careers in journalism, law, publishing, teaching, government and research, among others.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Classics and Ancient History.

View the Latin Unit timetable. 
Please note this timetable is indicative only.

About this major

Linguistics is the study of human language. It aims to find out what language is like, and why, and to find ways to use this knowledge in understanding communication, culture, social life, and the human mind.

Each of the world's 6000 languages is a rich and textured system, with its own sounds, its own grammar, and its own identity and style. You will learn how we use language for persuading others, gathering information, organising our activities, gossiping, and ultimately structuring our societies.

Have you ever wanted to know 'In what ways are all languages the same, and in what ways they differ?', 'Are Australian English and Singapore English two separate languages?', 'How do languages change? And why?' and 'What is it about the human mind that makes language the way it is?' In linguistics, you will learn how to investigate questions like these using methods ranging from computer analysis to textual analysis and to field research expeditions on languages spoken anywhere from major cities to isolated villages.

You will become a language and communication expert. The skills you will acquire in linguistics can be used in the study of the human mind and the diversity of cultures which are relevant to a range of professional settings such as international relations, travel, community development, language teaching, general education, academic research, journalism and publishing, marketing and public relations, and computer science.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Linguistics.

About this major

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia’s largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

You can choose to enrol in either language-based units of study or units of pure cultural content, or select from these the most pertinent to achieve your own preferred major. The structure of this major offers the opportunity to complete a series of units that form a coherent and cohesive strand of learning: you can complete all units offered towards a specialisation in language teaching or enrol in units with emphasis on culture, history and civilisation.

Bridging units, dedicated to translation, sociolinguistics or related methodological issues, will also allow you to create your own specific pathway according to the units from other programs or departments. The structure of the Modern Greek major is flexible and adjustable so that you can choose the units you want to study and incorporate them within the context of what is offered in other majors.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Modern Greek Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Modern Greek Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers or Extension.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia’s largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

You can choose to enrol in either language-based units of study or units of pure cultural content, or select from these the most pertinent to achieve your own preferred major. The structure of this major offers the opportunity to complete a series of units that form a coherent and cohesive strand of learning: you can complete all units offered towards a specialisation in language teaching or enrol in units with emphasis on culture, history and civilisation.

Bridging units, dedicated to translation, sociolinguistics or related methodological issues, will also allow you to create your own specific pathway according to the units from other programs or departments. The structure of the Modern Greek major is flexible and adjustable so that you can choose the units you want to study and incorporate them within the context of what is offered in other majors.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Modern Greek Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Modern Greek Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia’s largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

You can choose to enrol in either language-based units of study or units of pure cultural content, or select from these the most pertinent to achieve your own preferred major. The structure of this major offers the opportunity to complete a series of units that form a coherent and cohesive strand of learning: you can complete all units offered towards a specialisation in language teaching or enrol in units with emphasis on culture, history and civilisation.

Bridging units, dedicated to translation, sociolinguistics or related methodological issues, will also allow you to create your own specific pathway according to the units from other programs or departments. The structure of the Modern Greek major is flexible and adjustable so that you can choose the units you want to study and incorporate them within the context of what is offered in other majors.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Modern Greek Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Modern Greek Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Offered through the renowned Sydney Conservatorium of Music, this major has a distinguished record of music scholarship, composition and teaching, producing many of Australia's leading music professionals. As a student you will have a unique multi-cultural music education, broadly based in studies of society, culture and performance. Study Composition, Musicology, Popular Music, Music and Media, and Performance in ways that are broadly integrated with one another across the curriculum as well as within individual units of study.

A wide range of units of study are offered which are designed for those who wish to pursue a professional music career, those with broad interests in the study of music in culture, and those who will pursue other careers. This means that you can pursue projects in which music practice can be integrated with the study of history or any other arts major.

As a graduate you will be prepared for a vast array of rewarding careers such as composing, arranging, and performing music for theatre, concert, film, and media, writing about music as a journalist, commentator, critic, or media professional, or arts administration, including curating, marketing, festival and venue management.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

A wide range of units of study are offered which are designed for those who wish to pursue a professional music career, those with broad interests in the study of music in culture, and those who will pursue other careers. This means that you can pursue projects in which music practice can be integrated with the study of history or any other arts major.

As a graduate you will be prepared for a vast array of rewarding careers such as composing, arranging, and performing music for theatre, concert, film, and media, writing about music as a journalist, commentator, critic, or media professional, or arts administration, including curating, marketing, festival and venue management.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Philosophy explores fundamental and important questions such as 'How am I to live?', 'What do I know?', and 'Why should I care?' Cultivate critical thinking and intellectual perspectives crucial for adapting to fast-changing social, political and academic environments. Learn to think precisely, deliberate carefully, and communicate ideas in vivid and persuasive ways.

About this major

Political Economy focuses on the links between the economy, society and political interests. You will be equipped to understand a range of competing economic theories, and will use them to analyse pressing economic issues in the contemporary world, including inequality and economic development, economic crisis and change, and the conflict between economic growth and environmental sustainability. You will also study the historical development of capitalist economies and their institutional foundations.

In first year you will be introduced to the principal schools of economic thought and the historical development of the global economy. The second and third year units progressively build upon these foundations, further developing your understanding of central issues in the study of political economy. You can specialise in particular approaches to understanding the economy and can choose from a range of contemporary political economic issues.

This major covers key research and teaching areas including economic development, the distribution of income and wealth, the political economy of human rights, finance, neoliberalism, the environment, business cycles, and global political economy and gender.

You will graduate with the skills required to analyse economic issues of important contemporary public concern, including their social and political aspects.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by Political Economy.  

About this major

Politics is the study of the nature of governments and the distribution of power at the domestic level. Gain the knowledge, theoretical understandings, and practical skills that underpin a successful career that engages with politics at the domestic level. You will focus on how individuals participate in and are affected by politics, and how governing bodies that shape peoples' lives make decisions.

Compare key elements of political systems including government institutions, political parties, interest groups, elections, patterns of political participation, and social movements. At the end of your study you will be equipped with the key concepts, theories and methods used across the discipline of political science.

Key research and teaching areas include:

• comparative politics: looking at the way politics is conducted in different nations, and the impact of different political systems and structure on the distribution of power in society
• politics at a domestic level: the study of Australian politics, including the role of political parties and elections, interest groups and social movements, and the position of Australia in its region
• the policy-making process and the way governments create and implement public policy
• key issues: elections, political protest, environmental politics, leadership, state economies, constitutions, and differing political systems.

As a graduate you will have the skills desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, domestically and in different political contexts across the world.

About this major

Socio-Legal Studies explores how legal ideas, policies, institutions, and practices operate within their broader social, cultural, and historical contexts. You examine how law is created and interpreted—by parliament, the courts, and judges—and consider deeper questions about why law exist and whether it truly maintains social order.

This Major encourages you to think critically about how law interacts with major social issues, including indigeneity, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, class, the environment, and technology. These topics are explored both within Australia and in international contexts. You also engage with human rights instruments and reflect on the broader concept of justice.

In your first year, you’re introduced to foundational socio-legal concepts and theories. You study the structure of the Australian legal system and explore how law and society shape each other through current debates. A key focus is understanding how policy is developed, how it influences legislation, and whether it achieves its intended outcomes.

You also begin developing research skills, learning methods and techniques to support your own investigations. In senior units, you build on this foundation and explore more specialised topics—such as the philosophy of law and justice, the global human rights regime, and the relationship between law and social change.

You engage with these ideas through lectures, tutorials, and real-world applications. You develop your ability to think and communicate in socio-legal terms through essays, policy reports, group discussions, posters, and debates. By graduation, you’ll be ready to critically analyse legal systems and contribute meaningfully to discussions about law and justice.

Socio-Legal Studies provides an excellent foundation for future work in legal or policy settings and complements studies in Criminology and Sociology.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology.

About this major

Sociology is the study of human behaviour, beliefs, and identity in the context of social interaction, social relationships, institutions and change.  We engage with the biggest challenges facing us today but also investigate how individuals and groups influence and are changed by the society in which they live.

When you study sociology, you will be introduced through our first-year units to key ideas and concepts such as inequality, class, gender, power, deviance, change, agency and identity.  These concepts will help you understand social life and social change. You will also be introduced to methods and techniques that will enable you to undertake your own research.  In second and third year, your knowledge is deepened and broadened through the study of specialized areas by scholars deeply engaged in those fields. 

Sociology is a dynamic and engaging field of study, and our graduates emerge well equipped with the critical thinking and research skills fundamental to future society.  It is also a discipline which complements other Majors available, including Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology.

About this major

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

With both language and culture subjects, you will explore modern and contemporary culture; discuss major/contemporary literary, film, cultural, and intellectual movements, genres, and works from a variety of media; and engage critically with a wide range of issues related to race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender, and social struggles. You participate in Spanish via group work, role-plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing.

Our exchange programs with universities in Spain and Latin America enhance your learning by offering invaluable in-country exposure to these societies and cultures. 

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Spanish and Latin American Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC Spanish Continuers minimum 70%, or at least 5/7 in IB Spanish B.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

With both language and culture subjects, you will explore modern and contemporary culture; discuss major/contemporary literary, film, cultural, and intellectual movements, genres, and works from a variety of media; and engage critically with a wide range of issues related to race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender, and social struggles. You participate in Spanish via group work, role-plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing.

Our exchange programs with universities in Spain and Latin America enhance your learning by offering invaluable in-country exposure to these societies and cultures. 

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Spanish and Latin American Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for those that have complete HSC Spanish Beginners with more than 65%.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

With both language and culture subjects, you will explore modern and contemporary culture; discuss major/contemporary literary, film, cultural, and intellectual movements, genres, and works from a variety of media; and engage critically with a wide range of issues related to race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender, and social struggles. You participate in Spanish via group work, role-plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing.

Our exchange programs with universities in Spain and Latin America enhance your learning by offering invaluable in-country exposure to these societies and cultures. 

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

This Spanish and Latin American Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Theatre and Performance Studies looks at a broad range of aesthetic, social and everyday performances: across theatre, dance or `live art' and the stage, to the performative dimensions of politics, sport, cinema and popular culture. As a student you will explore a range of different approaches to performance making, devise short works, and engage with professional artists-in-residence.

About this major

As well as developing practical skills in workshops, you will attend a wide variety of performances, learn how to document them, how to describe the way spaces and architecture are used, how bodies are moving, and how to build these observations into a detailed critical analysis. Performance, as a conceptual lens, also provides a powerful way of interpreting many non-theatrical events, using both theoretical and critical approaches from a diversity of disciplines, including theatre and movement studies, anthropology, history, philosophy and sociology

This major provides a strong theoretical basis for you to later train as a performer, director, teacher, arts administrator, or work in related areas of the arts and cultural practice.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the discipline of Theatre and Performance Studies.

About this major

The Visual Arts major taught at Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) will provide you with creative, conceptual and technical skills that can be applied across a wide range of disciplines. As the creative economy expands, skills in both digital and traditional processes, ways of thinking and communicating through image-based media have come to the fore. These are in demand across a range of industries including business, IT, design and communications.

Through experimentation and research you will learn how to contextualise and develop concepts. You will realise your projects by applying skills, techniques, and material knowledge you have developed under the guidance of highly respected and knowledgeable artists and technicians.

The range of units offered enable you to elect to focus on a particular area of studio practice, or develop an innovative combination of creative experiences. You will also be encouraged to work across disciplinary boundaries, and to make links within a broader research context, in order to realise your ideas.

SCA classes are held in well-equipped facilities that support both traditional and new media practices, providing you with the tools and environment to develop your work to a professional standard.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

This major is offered by Sydney College of the Arts. 

American Studies is a unique field that examines the history, culture, society, laws, foreign policy and politics of the US. Units examine the US's evolution and why it is a dominant cultural and political force in the 21st century. From the study of America's government to its popular culture, you will be challenged to think creatively about the construction and meaning of American identity and power, while developing analytic and research skills that span the humanities and social sciences.

An Ancient Greek minor allows you to read, in the original, works of immense cultural and literary significance by the great writers of the ancient Mediterranean world. The study of philosophy, history, drama, lyric, epic, the novel, and oratory begins in Greece, and Greek contributions to world literature are undisputed models of perfection in every later age. Reading the actual words of Homer, Euripides, Plato or the New Testament is an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.

Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human. It’s a field that values direct engagement with individuals to understand their lives and perspectives.

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. 

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. 

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. 

Archaeologists employ material culture to study our human past. For students this is often an unfamiliar but exotic and exciting method of exploring bygone societies. The physical debris of the past is able to tell us much that written evidence cannot. Most people were never able to document their own histories, and much of our human past unfolded before writing came in to use. 

Art is a profound and persistent human impulse. Art History explores the history of making, viewing and experiencing works of art and architecture. It asks key questions such as 'what is art for?', 'who is art for?', 'what does art mean?' and `how does art function in broader culture?' These questions will be part of a dynamic encounter with complex and compelling works of art.

In the Asian Century, the task of understanding the region is vital to the future. Understanding Asia relies on gaining a foundation in its minor civilisational traditions, as well as in the issues of contemporary culture and society.

Criminology is a rich discipline that draws on sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, culture studies and history to draw attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assess the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures.

The Cultural Studies minor introduces you to critical approaches used in the study of a wide variety of cultural forms and practices. Cultural Studies is a field of study in which culture is understood not just as textual or artistic products like books, music or films, but in the broader sense of a dynamic and complexly patterned way of life.

The Digital Cultures minor critically investigates the internet, digital media and emerging technologies and the roles they play in contemporary society, culture, business, politics, the arts and everyday life. You will explore the interface between emerging new media technologies and cultural practices involving information, communication, knowledge, identities and power and build a rich understanding of how new technologies are generated, circulated and consumed.

A minor in Diversity Studies provides students with an applied understanding of cultural diversity in its many forms. Those who undertake this stand-alone minor will learn about the histories and experiences of minority groups, including people of colour, women, LGBTQI+ people and those with disabilities. 

Econometrics focuses on the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to the analysis of social, financial, business and economic data, which is available in ever-increasing quantity and complexity. It blends the essentials of economics with a balanced and rigorous training in modern econometric theory and associated empirical methods. This minor will develop your understanding of the statistical analysis of data and give you an economic framework within which to interpret results.

The Economic Policy Analysis minor focuses on developing the theoretical economic and statistical skills to be able to effectively understand and implement economic policy. This will provide a framework for the systematic analysis of policy, an understanding of the rationales for government activity in the economy, and a method for comparing the effectiveness of proposed policies using economic tools of analysis.

Offered by one of Australia's highly ranked centres in economics, this minor conveys a valuable understanding of the context of business and government and the technical skills required to analyse economic and social data and events. Develop key capabilities for business fields such as financial markets, marketing, transport and logistics, international trade and consulting or the media. 

An English minor will introduce you to a wide range of literary and cultural works including poems, plays, novels and films that extend from medieval times to the present day. You will encounter the richness, breadth and depth of the discipline's research and teaching culture, allowing you to customise your study according to your interests.

The European Studies minor focuses on the societies, politics and cultures of Europe. Our units study present-day Europe, its problems and successes, its diversity, its conflicts and its achievements, and its relationship to the world, as well as some of the historical background to present-day issues.

In Film Studies you will learn scholarly terms that will enable you to describe what you see on screen in relation to, for instance, camera movements and editing techniques or traditions of screen performance. You will develop rich understandings of concepts such as national cinema, genre and spectatorship through a diverse range of case studies.

Financial Economics is focused on the economic models used in finance, and the econometric skills needed to apply these models to financial markets and other economic data. Through this minor you will gain high-level training to understand both how financial markets work and how to analyse financial data.

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many minor literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many minor literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many minor literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

The Gender Studies minor offers you a unique interdisciplinary perspective on how gender shapes both formal knowledge and everyday experience. It encourages you to think beyond common-sense ideas about what it means to be male or female, and to recognise instead the many different ways that people embody and experience gender. The study of gender is one of the most intellectually challenging and socially important areas of enquiry in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Germanic Studies minor focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a minor in Germanic Studies.

The Germanic Studies minor focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a minor in Germanic Studies.

The Germanic Studies minor focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a minor in Germanic Studies.

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew minor is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness.

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew minor is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. 

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew minor is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the minor you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The History minor equips you to understand change, to look at things from different perspectives, and to assess diverse kinds of information.

Develop a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and knowledge systems, drawing upon the ideas and methods of disciplines including history, anthropology, sociology, literature, linguistics, film and health studies. Indigenous Studies involves these disciplines in a critical dialogue with traditional and contemporary Indigenous people and cultures, and with social and political histories of colonisation and decolonisation.

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

International Relations is the study of the international political, social, cultural and economic system. You will explore the historical development of that system and gain a comprehensive understanding of the actors, institutions, and processes of international relations.

This vibrant and innovative minor is taught by lecturers from the School of Languages and Cultures and the School of Literature, Art and Media. You will learn from lecturers whose disciplinary backgrounds are in literature, film studies, theatre studies, cultural studies, translation studies, and social sciences, and with expertise in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditional and modern cultures.

The Italian Studies discipline is one of the largest and best resourced in Australia, offering a wide range of language and culture units of study. Our language units cater for those at different levels and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic aptitude. 

The Italian Studies discipline is one of the largest and best resourced in Australia, offering a wide range of language and culture units of study. Our language units cater for those at different levels and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic aptitude. 

The Italian Studies discipline is one of the largest and best resourced in Australia, offering a wide range of language and culture units of study. Our language units cater for those at different levels and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic aptitude. 

Celebrating its 100th year in 2017, the University's Department of Japanese Studies is one of the oldest of its kind in the English-speaking world. Offering training in the Japanese language, as well as in Japanese culture, this minor prepares you to be an active participant in our multicultural world.

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your minor at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a minor will be awarded a minor in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC continuers 90 and above or HSC extension 75 and above.

This minor is offered by the Department of Japanese Studies.

Celebrating its 100th year in 2017, the University's Department of Japanese Studies is one of the oldest of its kind in the English-speaking world. Offering training in the Japanese language, as well as in Japanese culture, this minor prepares you to be an active participant in our multicultural world.

Celebrating its 100th year in 2017, the University's Department of Japanese Studies is one of the oldest of its kind in the English-speaking world. Offering training in the Japanese language, as well as in Japanese culture, this minor prepares you to be an active participant in our multicultural world.

Celebrating its 100th year in 2017, the University's Department of Japanese Studies is one of the oldest of its kind in the English-speaking world. Offering training in the Japanese language, as well as in Japanese culture, this minor prepares you to be an active participant in our multicultural world.

Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture covers history, philosophy, literature, religion, ethics and cultural studies. Explore two millennia of Jewish civilisation focussing on the historical evolution of Judaism, and how Jewish identity has been moulded by key Jewish thinkers and the Jewish historical experience. 

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. 

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. 

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. 

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea.

Learn to read works of immense cultural and literary significance by the iconic writers of ancient Rome. Latin is the direct ancestor of nearly 50 modern languages and a major contributor to the vocabulary of many others, including English. It was also the language of European literature, history, science, medicine, diplomacy and law for nearly 2000 years. The Latin minor opens up intellectual vistas vital for exploring the past or navigating the present.

A minor in Latin gives you an advanced ability to read and critically analyse Latin literature. You will study a wide variety of important works from key periods in the development of this hugely influential literature, gaining an understanding of its themes, preoccupations and Roman cultural significance.

Linguistic ability is developed as you progress through a series of units that introduce, practise and then analyse in context Latin morphology and syntax. You may begin either at 1000 level, if you have no prior knowledge of Latin, or at 2000 level if you have studied Latin previously to HSC-level (or equivalent).

The culmination of the minor is in-depth study and a nuanced appreciation of celebrated Roman authors. This minor will open pathways to careers in journalism, law, publishing, teaching, government and research, among others.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This minor is offered by the Department of Classics and Ancient History.

Linguistics is the study of human language. It aims to find out what language is like, and why, and to find ways to use this knowledge in understanding communication, culture, social life, and the human mind.

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia's largest department of Modern Greek Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia's largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia's largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

Offered through the renowned Sydney Conservatorium of Music, this minor has a distinguished record of music scholarship, composition and teaching, producing many of Australia's leading music professionals. As a student you will have a unique multi-cultural music education, broadly based in studies of society, culture and performance. Study Composition, Musicology, Popular Music, Music and Media, and Performance in ways that are broadly integrated with one another across the curriculum as well as within individual units of study.

Philosophy explores fundamental and important questions such as 'How am I to live?', 'What do I know?', and 'Why should I care?' Cultivate critical thinking and intellectual perspectives crucial for adapting to fast-changing social, political and academic environments. 

Political Economy examines the links between the economy, society and political interests, drawing on a range of competing economic theories to analyse contemporary issues such as inequality, economic development, economic crises and environmental sustainability.

Politics is the study of the nature of governments and the distribution of power at the domestic level. Gain the knowledge, theoretical understandings, and practical skills that underpin a successful career that engages with politics at the domestic level. You will focus on how individuals participate in and are affected by politics, and how governing bodies that shape peoples' lives make decisions.

About this minor

The study of the Sanskrit language, the most important classical language of the Indian subcontinent, is the gateway for exploring the various intellectual, literary and artistic traditions - associated especially with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism - that have shaped South Asian civilisation, and which have played a profound role in forming Asia as a whole.

The Sanskrit minor is designed to foster a sophisticated grasp of developments in religion, literature and philosophy throughout South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan), Central Asia, South East Asia and Tibet, as well as an understanding of the broader social and historical contexts in which these developments took place. On completion of the minor, you will find yourself well placed to adopt a critical yet self-aware and balanced `big-picture' perspective upon South Asian society and culture (and more broadly, Asian society and culture). Your background in seeing South Asian civilisation as a whole by way of their exposure to formative Sanskrit texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita will enable you to see beyond stereotypes and media hype in forming sophisticated and insightful responses to critical issues in contemporary South Asia, such as human rights abuses, caste, inter-religious tension, dowry and arranged marriages.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This minor is offered by the Department of Indian Subcontinental Studies.

Socio-Legal Studies is the study of legal ideas, practices and institutions in their social and historical contexts. Examine the institutions that make and enforce laws, parliament, the courts and the police. Learn about legal practices and their impact, including arrest and imprisonment, the use of CCTV surveillance, regulating business, enforcing human rights and prosecuting international war crimes.

Sociology is the study of human behaviour, beliefs and identity in the context of social interaction, social relationships, institutions and change. Learn how society shapes us, how we shape society, how the 'modern' world came about, and how it might develop in the future.

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

Analyse the concepts that people and communities prioritise in their lives to explain their existence, including religions, philosophies, life-justifications, and popular mythologies. You will be introduced to a range of methodologies including sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, philosophy, textual studies and history. You will study the essence of what it means to be human and will examine how dramatic narratives and powerful inner experiences propel both the individual and social constructions of reality.

Theatre and Performance Studies looks at a broad range of aesthetic, social and everyday performances: across theatre, dance or `live art' and the stage, to the performative dimensions of politics, sport, cinema and popular culture. As a student you will explore a range of different approaches to performance making, devise short works, and engage with professional artists-in-residence.

The Visual Arts minor taught at Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) will provide you with creative, conceptual and technical skills that can be applied across a wide range of specialisations.

There are several ways you can study Psychology at the University of Sydney.

Download the Psychology Study information guide for details of the options available to you.

The psychology program consists of 10 psychology units of study studied over the course of three years, which are required to proceed to an honours year (which is one of the steps on the path to becoming a registered psychologist).

The Accounting, Governance and Regulation major develops the knowledge and skills needed to understand, analyse and communicate financial and non-financial information that supports effective business decision-making. 

You will develop expertise in accounting, governance, regulation, risk management and sustainability reporting, alongside strong analytical, digital and business problem-solving capabilities. The major explores how organisations create and protect value while meeting increasing expectations around accountability, compliance and social responsibility. 

American Studies is a unique field that examines the history, culture, society, laws, foreign policy and politics of the US. Units examine the US's evolution and why it is a dominant cultural and political force in the 21st century.

About this major

American Studies is a unique field that examines the history, culture, society, laws, foreign policy and politics of the US. Units examine the US's evolution and why it is a dominant cultural and political force in the 21st century. From the study of America's government to its popular culture, you will be challenged to think creatively about the construction and meaning of American identity and power, while developing analytic and research skills that span the humanities and social sciences.

An American Studies major will give you broad, multi-faceted knowledge of this complex, diverse and dynamic nation and its relationship with the broader world. You will analyse the US using a variety of different approaches. In addition to core American Studies units, you can take cross-listed units of study from the Disciplines of English, History, Gender and Cultural Studies, and Government and International Relations. With such diversity of perspectives, an American Studies major is a unique opportunity to learn a variety of disciplinary approaches and methodologies.

Undertaking a major in American Studies will give you access to the widest range of US-focused units of study and to the largest concentration of academics working on the US, of any university in Australia.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

An Ancient Greek major allows you to read, in the original, works of immense cultural and literary significance by the great writers of the ancient Mediterranean world. The study of philosophy, history, drama, lyric, epic, the novel, and oratory begins in Greece, and Greek contributions to world literature are undisputed models of perfection in every later age. Reading the actual words of Homer, Euripides, Plato or the New Testament is an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.

About this major

You will study a wide variety of important texts from key periods and genres in the development of this hugely influential literature, gaining an understanding of its themes, preoccupations and complex reflection of Greek (particularly Classical Athenian) culture. You will develop your linguistic ability as you progress through a series of units that introduce, practise and then analyse in context Greek morphology and syntax. You may begin either at introductory level, if you have no prior knowledge of Greek, or at intermediate level if you have studied Greek to HSC-level (or equivalent).

The culmination of this major is in-depth study and nuanced appreciation of works of celebrated Greek authors. It will also help you to develop key skills including the ability to carefully analyse language and to construct clear and persuasive arguments both orally and with the written word.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Classics and Ancient History.

View the Ancient Greek Unit timetable. 
Please note this timetable is indicative only.

Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human. It’s a field that values direct engagement with individuals to understand their lives and perspectives. Anthropologists are curious about how people interpret their own worlds.
 

About this major

Anthropologists are curious about how people interpret their own worlds. We take a global, comparativist, and relativist perspective that assumes there is no single 'right' way for people to live. This means we bring unique insights to many current debates about human futures. In a time when our collective existence is under threat, anthropologists are exploring alternative ways to be human and to heal our world

Students in anthropology delve into human experiences through ethnographic interpretations, and participate in debates about our global future in which they seek new possibilities. They will explore pressing questions about our relationship with the environment; the impact of global inequality on health and development; the legacies of colonialism and racism; and emerging struggles for justice.

Graduates in anthropology are creative thinkers who can effectively express ideas, ask challenging questions, and find new solutions to complex problems. They are prepared for a variety of careers in media, research, technology, social justice, and social policy, and for professional and postgraduate programs.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Anthropology.

About this major

This major is available to students outside the Medical Science stream.

This major will position you at the intersection of science and medicine, providing you with a fundamental understanding of human health and the mechanisms of diseases, their diagnosis, prevention and treatment. You will be equipped with the insights and skills to understand ongoing scientific discoveries, and apply that knowledge to clinical situations.

The ability to apply theory to practice in medical science is essential for professionals addressing major global health issues, such as mental health and neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infections, cancer and auto-inflammatory disease. In this major you will learn the strategies by which medical science theory is translated into tangible health outcomes.

Through an understanding of fundamental medical science theory, you will learn the methods used to diagnose and treat human diseases, and how approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human disease are developed and tested prior to implementation.

You will learn: the molecular basis of disease; how complex data generated in medical sciences are analysed, interpreted and communicated by the healthcare sector; how well-designed clinical trials can be used to test and verify the efficacy of new procedures and treatment options.

All this learning and application will occur in the real world in one of the most exciting and complex medical research and hospital environments: the new translational research hub at the University of Sydney Westmead campus.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency.

About this major

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. Political and economic developments in the Arab world and parts of the Middle East, like the internationalisation of businesses and professions around the world, have made understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic an increasingly valuable skill. Arabic is also a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage that deserves to be studied in its own right.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language. To complement your language study, you can choose from a wide range of Arabic literature, culture, art, and film classes.

Our teaching is strongly focused on student participation, communication, and cultural immersion, which will help you develop both communicative Arabic language skills and cultural competency. You will gain the background knowledge necessary to understand the diversity of Arab societies today and over time, and be equipped to conduct cross-regional projects and to interrogate geo-cultural boundaries.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Arabic Languages and Cultures.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Arabic Language and Cultures (Advanced) pathway is suitable for students who are post-HSC Continuers or Extension.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language.

About this major

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. Political and economic developments in the Arab world and parts of the Middle East, like the internationalisation of businesses and professions around the world, have made understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic an increasingly valuable skill. Arabic is also a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage that deserves to be studied in its own right.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language. To complement your language study, you can choose from a wide range of Arabic literature, culture, art, and film classes.

Our teaching is strongly focused on student participation, communication, and cultural immersion, which will help you develop both communicative Arabic language skills and cultural competency. You will gain the background knowledge necessary to understand the diversity of Arab societies today and over time, and be equipped to conduct cross-regional projects and to interrogate geo-cultural boundaries.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Arabic Languages and Cultures.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Arabic Language and Cultures (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for students who have completed HSC Beginners.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures (Introductory) equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language.

About this major

Understanding the Arab world is today of vital importance. Arabic is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations and the religious language of one and a half a billion Muslims, as well as millions of Christians and Jews. Political and economic developments in the Arab world and parts of the Middle East, like the internationalisation of businesses and professions around the world, have made understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Arabic an increasingly valuable skill. Arabic is also a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage that deserves to be studied in its own right.

The major in Arabic Language and Cultures equips you to understand the political, social, and cultural importance of the Arab world and its complex regional significance on the global stage. It focuses on the acquisition both of language skills and of cultural competency. You can major in Arabic with or without prior knowledge of the language. To complement your language study, you can choose from a wide range of Arabic literature, culture, art, and film classes.

Our teaching is strongly focused on student participation, communication, and cultural immersion, which will help you develop both communicative Arabic language skills and cultural competency. You will gain the background knowledge necessary to understand the diversity of Arab societies today and over time, and be equipped to conduct cross-regional projects and to interrogate geo-cultural boundaries.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Arabic Languages and Cultures.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Arabic Language and Cultures (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

Archaeologists employ material evidence to study our human past. For students this is often an unfamiliar and exciting method of exploring bygone societies. The physical  evidence of the past is able to tell us much that written evidence cannot. Most people were never able to document their own histories, and much of our human past unfolded before writing came in to use. 

The archaeology major will provide you with an understanding of the past of humans in a variety of times and places to give you an insight into long-term trends in human life. This major will also equip you with the intellectual and practical skills to gather, analyse and interpret primary archaeological evidence in order to answer questions about prehistoric and historic societies.

The archaeology major contains broad coverage of the breadth of archaeological work, which allows you to undertake specialist training in one of three regional areas: Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East/central Asia. Practical field and laboratory methods are taught, and there are opportunities to participate in fieldwork units locally and around the world, as well as in one of our intensive Summer Schools program in Athens or Rome.

Archaeology is a dynamic discipline that has revolutionised our understanding of the human past. Evidence is continuously unearthed and reveals unexpected and exciting glimpses of past societies. This major allows you to explore these vistas of human existence and to learn how archaeologists bring life to past societies.

A degree in Archaeology can lead to employment, especially in the expanding heritage consultancy business

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Archaeology discipline. 

Art History explores the history of making, viewing and experiencing works of art and architecture. You will gain the historical knowledge and analytical skills to make sense of such works across time and space, to relate them to each other and to the specific historical and cultural contexts for which they were created.

About this major

Art is a profound and persistent human impulse. Art History explores the history of making, viewing and experiencing works of art and architecture. It asks key questions such as 'what is art for?', 'what does art mean?' and 'how does art function in broader culture?' These questions will be part of a dynamic encounter with complex and compelling works of art.

You will gain the historical knowledge and analytical skills to make sense of such works across time and space, to relate them to each other and to the specific historical and cultural contexts for which they were created. You will be trained in the skills of visual and spatial analysis that are fundamental to our discipline including the ability to critically interpret the visual appearance of a given object. As well as the canonical forms of painting, sculpture and architecture, you will encounter a wide spectrum of media and art practice, from body art to video installation, from fresco to pop, from processional ritual to performance art, from early prints to land art.

Studying the history of art fosters insight and skills in understanding and interpreting visual communication, expression and innovation that are highly relevant in today's image-saturated world. As a graduate you may go on to a career in the visual arts industry, as a curator, critic, art adviser, collection manager, registrar or educator. Work in art museums, commercial galleries, auction houses, state and local government or community arts programs, as well as across art journalism and criticism.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Art History.

In the Asian Century, the task of understanding the region is vital to the future. Understanding Asia relies on gaining a foundation in its major civilisational traditions, as well as in the issues of contemporary culture and society.

About this major

In the Asian Century, the task of understanding the region is vital to the future. Understanding Asia relies on gaining a foundation in its major civilisational traditions, as well as in the issues of contemporary culture and society.

This major will introduce and identify major cultural, historical, social and political trends and issues, including ethnicity and mobility (or diaspora); the major religions and belief systems (particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam); other trans-regional trends, including economic and political relationships between Asia and other parts of the world (for example forms of imperialism); major political and social developments and movements of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and their effects (e.g. nationalism, revolution, military rule, democracy); and mass or popular culture (including topics such as manga and K-Pop). These trends and issues are particularly taught in relation to China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Asian Studies is taught in English and draws on the cutting-edge research being carried out by the academic staff of the program. Language units of study cannot be counted towards the Asian Studies major, however you are strongly encouraged to study an Asian language in conjunction with Asian Studies units.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Asian Studies.

Banks play an important role in the economy, attracting savings, granting credit, investing in industries and facilitating business through payment systems. Our banking major takes an applied approach and will allow you to gain in-depth understanding of how banks and financial intermediaries function in the world economy, as well as how they operate internally.

About this major

The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will provide you with a thorough understanding of the chemistry of life and the molecules that regulate living processes. This major emphasises how these molecules pass information and energy within and between cells, and from generation to generation, and how these processes impact form and function. This major is ideally suited for students who wish to study fundamental molecular processes that underlie normal physiology and disease in all kingdoms of life.

About this major

Biology is the study of living organisms, whether single-celled or multi-cellular, as individuals or in groups, and their interaction with their environment and with each other. It is concerned with all levels of biological complexity from the molecular level through to cells and tissues, to organisms, their populations and the ecosystems of which they form part. Biologists seek to understand the structure and function of the living world. Biologists investigate how organisms access and use energy and the processes by which they develop and replicate. Evolution provides an overarching framework for understanding changes that have occurred in groups of organisms over time. 

The major will initially cover fundamental concepts in biology, such as life, the structure and function of molecules, cells and organisms and processes including metabolism and respiration. 

As a broad and interconnecting major, it is characterised by integrating 'biology' sub-disciplines which are distinguished by:

• their subject matter
• the scale of the subject matter
• the suite of tools used for investigation.

This major has been structured in this way because biology is now moving into a phase of rapid expansion and discovery that places biologists at the forefront of current scientific research.

The Business Analytics major is designed to equip you with practical skills in data analysis, preparing you for careers in business analytics, data science, business intelligence, operations research and analytics consulting.

Business law focuses on the legal and regulatory framework within which business operates. You will acquire essential problem-solving and analytical skills, and learn how to recognise situations that require specialist legal advice.

Chemistry is the study of many different things around us, including how one substance changes into another and the relationship between the nature and structure of molecules. It plays a key role in studying things like how to obtain metals from ores, convert oil into plastics and develop cures for cancer.

About this major

A major in computer science covers the key concepts of computation. You will learn the principles and techniques needed to solve tasks efficiently with computation, and how to express those solutions in software. You will also discover how computation can be modelled and how to reason about the limits of what computation can achieve. A major in computer science will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to innovate in information technology, and create fundamentally new IT solutions to future challenges. For more information on the program structure and content, view the Science Undergraduate Handbook.

Our Computer Systems major is concerned with the design of hardware and software to create efficient computing platforms.

It is tailored to provide you with the necessary knowledge of how computer hardware works, the interface between hardware and software, and equip you with the skills needed to design bespoke computing platforms that are optimised for specific applications. 

As the quest for better solutions to computing problems transcends all disciplines of science and engineering, the knowledge gained would be applicable to any major.

Many of the advances in diverse specialisations such as high-energy physics, machine learning, drug design, linguistics and archaeology have only become possible due to improvements in computing.

Criminology is a rich discipline that draws on sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, culture studies and history to draw attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assess the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures. You will gain an advanced understanding of crime, criminal justice practices, deviance, causes of crime, victimisation, social control, juvenile justice, indigenous justice, crime prevention, prison and other alternatives to punishment, as well as medico-legal forensic practices.

About this major

Criminology is a rich discipline that draws on sociology, psychology, science, law, philosophy, culture studies and history to draw attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assess the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures. You will gain an advanced understanding of crime, criminal justice practices, deviance, causes of crime, victimisation, social control, juvenile justice, indigenous justice, crime prevention, prison and other alternatives to punishment, as well as medico-legal forensic practices.

The first-year units lay the foundation to the study of crime, social harm and the criminal justice system. Second year units will deepen your understanding of criminology theories and concepts, as well as the criminal justice institutions and practices. You will analyse key debates around crime in relation to topics such as youth, race, gender, ethnicity and Indigeneity. In addition, you will critically examine how society responds to crime through social control and the criminal justice institutions and practices.

A key focus is on features of policing, sentencing, punishment, prisons and alternatives to punishment, such as restorative justice. In third-year units you will consolidate your critical analytical skills in criminology as you delve into complex relationship between crime, law, medicine and science. In addition, you will critically analyse the development and nature of criminal justice in relation to the complex interface of “law and order politics’, the media, culture, crime and society. Finally, you will be able to apply your advanced knowledge to a piece of criminological research of your choice.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology.

The Cultural Studies major introduces you to critical approaches used in the study of a wide variety of cultural forms and practices. Cultural Studies is a field of study in which culture is understood not just as textual or artistic products like books, music or films, but in the broader sense of a dynamic and complexly patterned way of life.

About this major

The Cultural Studies major introduces you to critical approaches used in the study of a wide variety of cultural forms and practices. Cultural Studies is a field of study in which culture is understood not just as textual or artistic products like books, music or films, but in the broader sense of a dynamic and complexly patterned way of life.

The Cultural Studies major helps you understand the complexity of everyday life and the way that habits, texts, objects and beliefs are socially patterned and laden with values and meaning. It will provide you with a range of tools to analyse how cultural practices and meanings are produced, circulated and exchanged. It complements all forms of study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as Media and Communications, Education, and Law.

You will be equipped to become an informed and engaged critical thinker in relation to important contemporary cultural issues and everyday experiences.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies.

Data is an essential asset in many organisations as it enables informed decision making into many areas including market intelligence and science. In the major in Data Science, you will learn computational and analytical skill sets that stem from statistics and computer science, to manage, interpret, understand, analyse and derive key knowledge from the data.

About this major

The Major in Design will provide you with design and problem solving skills that can be applied across a wide range of disciplines. As the world becomes more complex, there is an increasing demand for graduates that are able to apply design as a way to solve problems, develop alternative points of view and disrupt existing models in responsible and ethical ways.

The Design Major will introduce you to the principles of responsible design, as well as design theory, visual communication, design innovation, situating innovations in collaboration with communities, and interface design of digital products and services. You will learn how to use design as an innovation method and how to apply design methods to a range of contexts, in social, physical, and digital environments.

The methods taught will enable you to develop different perspectives, explore multiple design solutions, understand how to tackle complex problems, clearly communicate ideas and strategies, critically assess current situations and environments, anticipate consequences, and develop strategies for ethical innovation.

Whatever path you choose your critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and research skills will be developed through interactive classes and assessment of "real-world" situations.

The Digital Business major is designed to equip you with comprehensive knowledge and practical balanced skills in both technology and organisational management, so you are prepared for an exciting career in the evolving digital economy.  

The Digital Business major emphasises the role that digital technology plays in integrated business design – from idea through to execution – as well as its impact on the design of work.  This ensures you will be ready to tackle business challenges for long term growth.

The Digital Cultures major critically investigates the internet, digital media and emerging technologies and the roles they play in contemporary society, culture, business, politics, the arts and everyday life. You will explore the interface between emerging new media technologies and cultural practices involving information, communication, knowledge, identities and power and build a rich understanding of how new technologies are generated, circulated and consumed.

About this major

Topics covered in the Digital Cultures major include the web; social media; online identities; mobile media; social networks; computer games; virtual communities; digital media production techniques, theories of technology and culture; digital research; and media arts.

This major places intelligent, interactive, mobile and networked technologies in context, taking a critical approach that draws on sociology, history, philosophy, digital media studies, cultural studies and science and technology studies to understand the dramatic changes emerging as digital media proliferate. Our teaching combines face-to-face coursework with online exercises and practical work in computer labs.

As a graduate, you will be a skilled communicator and critical analyst of new technologies and the latest developments in digital media across Australian and global contexts. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this major will position you to take up strategic leadership roles in digital media teams.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Media and Communications. 

Designed for creatives who want to write and produce music with computers and other electronic devices, the Digital Music major takes full advantage of the Conservatorium’s multifaceted art music perspectives and its unique take on the 21st-century music industry.

Develop skills in music production, digital composition, sound manipulation, synthesis and spatialisation (including surround sound and ambisonics) and recording techniques to create original soundscapes. 

Access a wide variety of industry standard and specialist software (including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, ProTools, etc), and learn how to use various state-of-the-art music technologies including Max MSP, the GRM, Izotope, and Native Instrument suite of plug-ins, modular synthesisers and more.

This information relates to the 2024 and 2025 intake.

Disability is ubiquitous in the community. No part of the political, cultural, social and economic landscape is untouched by the contribution or needs of people with disability.

The Disability and Participation major will help students across all disciplines develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that will underpin informed collaboration to reduce these inequalities and support inclusion and participation of people with disability in everyday life.

The major will also introduce concepts that underpin the perceptions and experience of disability from person-centered and citizen-community perspectives. It acknowledges and seeks to counteract outdated historical depictions of people with disability as objects for study or people with disorders to be “managed”.

The major recognises the importance of social constructs in creating disability and disability as a human rights issue that can impact health and participation in everyday life. Practical strategies that have been and could be used to facilitate participation in real-world settings will be explored, including:

- advocacy; 
- collaborative dialogue and partnership; 
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approaches to health and healing; 
- culturally safe disability practice and understanding of disability in multicultural settings; 
- use of everyday technologies; and 
- local/ international community development.

The major in Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms gives students substantial competency in computing and areas of mathematics that are most closely associated with computation.

About this major

Ecology and evolution are important concepts that underlie a broad range of the biological sciences. Ecology investigates the processes that govern the biological interactions between individuals and that operate on ecosystem scales. Evolution is a unifying theme that explains the patterns we observe in the natural world, ranging from genomes to the diversification of life through time.

The fields of Ecology and Evolution intersect at multiple levels and are critically relevant to real-world challenges, including wildlife conservation.

In this major you will learn about evolutionary and ecological processes and how these influence the population dynamics of animals, plants, and other organisms. This knowledge forms the basis for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems, and habitats.

Econometrics focuses on the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to the analysis of social, financial, business and economic data, which is available in ever-increasing quantity and complexity. This major will develop your understanding of the statistical analysis of data and give you an economic framework within which to interpret results.

About this major

Econometrics focuses on the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to the analysis of social, financial, business and economic data, which is available in ever-increasing quantity and complexity. It blends the essentials of economics with a balanced and rigorous training in modern econometric theory and associated empirical methods. This major will develop your understanding of the statistical analysis of data and give you an economic framework within which to interpret results.

The Econometrics major provides training for areas of high demand, with employers increasingly looking for graduates with highly sophisticated quantitative skills. Outstanding employment prospects are available to graduates across a wide range of industries, both in the private and public sectors.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics.

The Economic Policy Analysis major focuses on developing the theoretical economic and statistical skills to be able to effectively understand and implement economic policy. A focus of the major will include an assessment of the limitation of various economic policies, including their distributional consequences.

About this major

The Economic Policy Analysis major focuses on developing the theoretical economic and statistical skills to be able to effectively understand and implement economic policy. This will provide a framework for the systematic analysis of policy, an understanding of the rationales for government activity in the economy, and a method for comparing the effectiveness of proposed policies using economic tools of analysis.

A focus of the major will include an assessment of the limitation of various economic policies, including their distributional consequences. An emphasis will also be placed on the effective communication of policy analysis.

As a graduate you could pursue a career as a policy analyst, economic commentator or journalist, or advisor in the government or NGO sectors.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics.

This major conveys a valuable understanding of the context of business and government and the technical skills required to analyse economic and social data and events. Develop key capabilities for business fields such as financial markets, marketing, transport and logistics, international trade and consulting or the media.

About this major

Offered by one of Australia’s highly ranked centres in economics, this major conveys a valuable understanding of the context of business and government and the technical skills required to analyse economic and social data and events. Develop key capabilities for business fields such as financial markets, marketing, transport and logistics, international trade and consulting or the media. 

The objective of the major in Economics is to prepare you for the diverse range of careers which value the key skills of the discipline. These include understanding economic and social phenomena, analysing economic data, and exploring alternative choices in addressing key challenges. The major builds your training in economics incrementally. It begins by addressing the essentials of the discipline early in the degree, which opens a wide range of study areas at senior level. This allows you to shape concentrations in areas of interest such as macroeconomics, or in areas of applied economic policy.

Our graduates are leaders in their fields, holding positions at the Reserve Bank, Treasury and other government departments, in global financial institutions, and with international agencies and NGOs. They also go on to further study at some of the finest institutions in the world.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics.

View the Economics Unit timetable.
Please note this timetable is indicative only.

The Education Studies Major is taken by all students enrolled in undergraduate education degrees offered by Sydney School of Education and Social Work but is also available as an area of study to students who do not wish to become teachers but are interested in knowing more about education. 

About this major

The Education Studies Major is taken by all students enrolled in undergraduate education degrees offered by Sydney School of Education and Social Work but is also available as an area of study to students who do not wish to become teachers but are interested in knowing more about education. Providing foundational study in education, the Education Studies Major will introduce you to the study of education, with specialist units on sociological perspectives on education, psychological perspectives on education, Aboriginal Education and Special and Inclusive Education.

In their third year, students can choose a specialist unit from areas such as psychology of education, creativity and education, global and international education, the contexts of education in Australia – Aboriginal Community and Country. Offered on a rotating basis, selective units include: child development and educational neuroscience; Mentoring in Educational Contexts; Creative Ecologies – Pedagogies and Praxis; Aboriginal Community-led Education; and Sex, gender and sexuality in education.

In their final year of study, students will complete the FASS Interdisciplinary Impact unit and the Education Capstone Unit.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

An English major will introduce you to a wide range of literary and cultural works including poems, plays, novels and films that extend from medieval times to the present day. You will encounter the richness, breadth and depth of the discipline's research and teaching culture, allowing you to customise your study according to your interests.

About this major

Areas of specialisation include Old and Middle English (800-1500); Early Modern (1500-1750); Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century; Modern and Contemporary; Australian, American, British and World literatures; literary theory; cultural, gender, postcolonial and transnational studies; film, multimedia, linguistics and language studies; and creative writing

Whatever pathway you choose, you will explore questions about genre, period and place across a wide spectrum of works in English. You will learn to analyse and explain the formal and linguistic features of texts, aspects of their genre and history, and their dynamic role in local and global cultures. You will formulate and pursue meaningful theories of critical analysis, reading communities and literary value.

We offer a broad and dynamic discipline that will prepare you for a career in teaching, the media, public and community service, and academia, and in any vocation or area that demands intellectual flexibility and versatility, critical thinking and the ability to communicate. The cultural knowledge and analytical skills provided by an English major are not only marketable for this variety of vocations but will enrich you, and carry you through your life.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by English discipline.

Environmental Studies is the examination of the social, economic and regulatory contexts that surround the management and monitoring of environmental and ecosystem health. 

This major incorporates the study of both social and bio-physical phenomena within their regulatory and policy frameworks, and is therefore inherently multi-disciplinary.

The Environmental Studies major will provide you with an understanding of the governance framework in which your professional career in the environment sector will operate, including the fundamental aspects of sustainability, environmental assessment, law, ethics, development, energy use, economics and politics.

Consequently, the `ENVI' units of study in this major are complementary to studies in the physical and natural science disciplines as well as the social disciplines.

The European Studies major focuses on the societies, politics and cultures of Europe. Our units study present-day Europe, its problems and successes, its diversity, its conflicts and its achievements, and its relationship to the world, as well as some of the historical background to present-day issues. 

About this major

The European Studies major focuses on the societies, politics and cultures of Europe. Our units study present-day Europe, its problems and successes, its diversity, its conflicts and its achievements, and its relationship to the world, as well as some of the historical background to present-day issues. We look at both the European Union'the world's most advanced supranational federation of states and its most progressive superpower'and the wider European continent of which it is part. The major draws on the expertise of specialists in French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies and Political Economy.

You can take European Studies as a major or minor, or you can simply enrol in one of our elective or Open Learning Environment units. You do not need to speak a European language to enrol in European Studies as all classes are conducted in English and use English language texts. However, we encourage you to complement your European Studies by gaining competence in a European language through completing a second major or minor in a European language.

You can also complete a period of exchange study at one of the many University of Sydney partner universities in Europe. In addition, through our senior project-based units, including our Internships for Credit program, you will develop professional and problem-solving skills relating to contemporary issues in Europe.

For further specialisation, you can complete a fourth year in European Studies, either as an honours student, working on an individual research project, or specialising in project-based fourth year units that will further enhance your professional skills.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the European Studies.

The Film Studies major is a vibrant program that develops this critical visual literacy. It equips you with a range of skills for understanding and analysing cinema as a vital and yet everyday part of modern life. Through close familiarity with a range of case studies, you will come to understand the social, cultural, aesthetic and political dimensions of cinema in different contexts and at different times.

About this major

Studying film draws on both our intellect and our imagination. As an accessible and even ubiquitous transnational cultural form, film opens us to other worlds, other lives, and other ways of seeing.

People have been making, watching and writing about movies for just over a century. In a culture that increasingly relies on visual information, an understanding of the moving image is essential to understanding society. The Film Studies major is a vibrant program that develops this critical visual literacy. It equips you with a range of skills for understanding and analysing cinema as a vital and yet everyday part of modern life. Through close familiarity with a range of case studies, you will come to understand the social, cultural, aesthetic and political dimensions of cinema in different contexts and at different times.

In Film Studies you will learn scholarly terms that will enable you to describe what you see on screen in relation to, for instance, camera movements and editing techniques or traditions of screen performance. You will develop rich understandings of concepts such as national cinema, genre and spectatorship through a diverse range of case studies. You will also study the historical development of film as a cultural and technological form and analyse its transformations across the 20th century to the present day.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook. 

The Finance major is designed to equip you with comprehensive knowledge and vital practical skills in financial services and investment industry, paving the way for a successful career in banking, asset management, risk management, entrepreneurial finance and more. 

Key financial questions faced by organisations include: what are the investment assets available to the organisation; how to raise capital to purchase assets; how to evaluate potential investments; how to redistribute returns to investors; and how to balance environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals with financial goals.

About this major

Financial Economics is focused on the economic models used in finance, and the econometric skills needed to apply these models to financial markets and other economic data. Through this major you will gain high-level training to understand both how financial markets work and how to analyse financial data.

This is an area of high employer demand which spans a range of diverse fields. As a graduate you will have excellent employment prospects in the financial sector or in a financial regulatory agency like the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the School of Economics. 

The Financial Mathematics and Statistics major will give you a broad introduction to the methods and ideas of mathematical finance and will prepare you for employment in the financial sector or for honours and further study in the field.

About this major

Food is an integral part of our lives. Beyond providing essential nutrition and influencing health, food features strongly in our social and cultural systems, and is a major contributor to economic prosperity. Food and beverage manufacturing is the largest employing sector within manufacturing in Australia, and the importance of the food industry will grow as global food consumption increases with the population.

The Food Science major comprises foundational units in biology, chemistry, statistics; core intermediate units on principles of food science and biochemistry; and senior units in food processing, chemistry & biochemistry of foods, food technology & biotechnology, and product design & development.

The major provides you with fundamental knowledge and applied skills desirable for employment in the food industry. The interdisciplinary and applied nature of the major will also provide you with transferable skills that are complementary with many other fields of study in the life and environmental sciences.

About this major

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

Whatever your prior knowledge of French, the department provides pathways to a French major. You can enrol in our introductory, intermediate or advanced stream, and there are options for `fast-tracking' to a higher level. You will study French language and the history, societies, literatures and cultures of France and la Francophonie. In addition, you can spend a semester or a year on exchange in France, Switzerland or Canada.

Most classes are in French, with content, class activities and assessment all adapted to your language level in each year of study. Our teaching is strongly focused on participation and interaction, so that you develop autonomy as learners of French and as independent thinkers.

As a graduate you can work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and a range of international organisations.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in French and Francophone Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The French and Francophone Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for French Continuers 80% or more or French Continuers + Extension or IB Standard or Higher Level.

About this major

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

Whatever your prior knowledge of French, the department provides pathways to a French major. You can enrol in our introductory, intermediate or advanced stream, and there are options for `fast-tracking' to a higher level. You will study French language and the history, societies, literatures and cultures of France and la Francophonie. In addition, you can spend a semester or a year on exchange in France, Switzerland or Canada.

Most classes are in French, with content, class activities and assessment all adapted to your language level in each year of study. Our teaching is strongly focused on participation and interaction, so that you develop autonomy as learners of French and as independent thinkers.

As a graduate you can work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and a range of international organisations.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in French and Francophone Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The French and Francophone Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners or HSC French Continuers below 80% or IB Ab Initio Grade 4-6.

About this major

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. It is an official language in 29 countries and a key working language of the United Nations and the European Union. It is also the language of many major literary, philosophical and political works. French Studies provides access to this rich culture and history.

Whatever your prior knowledge of French, the department provides pathways to a French major. You can enrol in our introductory, intermediate or advanced stream, and there are options for `fast-tracking' to a higher level. You will study French language and the history, societies, literatures and cultures of France and la Francophonie. In addition, you can spend a semester or a year on exchange in France, Switzerland or Canada.

Most classes are in French, with content, class activities and assessment all adapted to your language level in each year of study. Our teaching is strongly focused on participation and interaction, so that you develop autonomy as learners of French and as independent thinkers.

As a graduate you can work in fields as diverse as international relations and trade, journalism, IT, teaching, law, medicine, the arts and a range of international organisations.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in French and Francophone Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The French and Francophone Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

The Gender Studies major offers you a unique interdisciplinary perspective on how gender shapes both formal knowledge and everyday experience. It encourages you to think beyond common-sense ideas about what it means to be male or female, and to recognise instead the many different ways that people embody and experience gender. The study of gender is one of the most intellectually challenging and socially important areas of enquiry in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

A major in Gender Studies will enrich your knowledge and understandings of masculinity, femininity, sexuality and identity and will provide an important framework for considering social issues, ranging from debates about marriage equality and new forms of intimacy to gendered forms of labour, violence and representational practices.

This major equips you with critical and conceptual skills, as well as research and writing skills that provide an important complement to degrees in Arts and Social Sciences, Law, Psychology, Nursing and Medicine and will assist in enhancing career prospects in these disciplines and fields.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies.

The Genetics and Genomics major will allow you to investigate a multitude of life forms and their biochemical, molecular and genetic interactions – from viruses, bacteria and protozoans to fungi, plants and animals, including humans.

About this major

Geography is the study of earth as the home of people. As the need to find solutions to issues of environmental degradation and sustainability, population change and globalisation have become more challenging, the skills and knowledge of geographers have come to the forefront.

Through a geography major, you will study the interactions between earth, environment and society. This involves consideration of such issues as climate change, population growth, hazards and environmental management. You will have the opportunity to go on field trips to overseas locations and to rural and urban parts of Australia, and participate in tutorial debates about such issues as global inequality and poverty. You will also engage in computer-based analysis of geographic data, and on-line discussion boards and interactive education techniques.

About this major

Geology and Geophysics will provide you with a unifying context for understanding the surface and internal planetary processes that determine how the earth functions as a system. Global climate change, an increasing population and shrinking mineral and energy resources have heightened our sense of dependence on our earth's complex natural systems and increased our need to understand the dynamic structural relationships between the continents and oceans that provide the physical habitat for the earth's various ecosystems.

This major will provide you with an understanding of change on Earth, its origin, plate tectonics, surface processes, evolution of life and geologic time. With this major you will acquire the skills necessary for employment in all areas of sustainable exploration and management of our natural, mineral and energy resources.

About this major

The Germanic Studies major focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a major in Germanic Studies.

You can begin German language studies at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR: A1 - C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills.

German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, applied linguistics, film, history and society from the 17th century to the present. Through these seminars, you will gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich, and Vienna as part of your major.

The Germanic Studies major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German as a Minor or German units as electives. If you have already completed your undergraduate study, you can still study German by taking the Diploma in Language Studies.

Our graduates have a good understanding of German culture and society and can take advantage of career opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to Honours and Postgraduate Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Germanic Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Germanic Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for those who have completed HSC German Extension course or the HSC German Continuers course (with a mark above 70).

About this major

The Germanic Studies major focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a major in Germanic Studies.

You can begin German language studies at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR: A1 - C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills.

German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, applied linguistics, film, history and society from the 17th century to the present. Through these seminars, you will gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich, and Vienna as part of your major.

The Germanic Studies major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German as a Minor or German units as electives. If you have already completed your undergraduate study, you can still study German by taking the Diploma in Language Studies.

Our graduates have a good understanding of German culture and society and can take advantage of career opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to Honours and Postgraduate Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Germanic Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Discipline of Germanic Studies for advice.

This pathway is suitable for those that have completed HSC Beginners course (with a mark above 70) or the German Continuers (with a mark below 70), or equivalent.

About this major

The Germanic Studies major focuses on the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. Whether you are a beginner in the language, or are a background speaker of German, you can complete a major in Germanic Studies.

You can begin German language studies at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR: A1 - C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills.

German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, applied linguistics, film, history and society from the 17th century to the present. Through these seminars, you will gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich, and Vienna as part of your major.

The Germanic Studies major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German as a Minor or German units as electives. If you have already completed your undergraduate study, you can still study German by taking the Diploma in Language Studies.

Our graduates have a good understanding of German culture and society and can take advantage of career opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to Honours and Postgraduate Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Germanic Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact Discipline of Germanic Studies for advice.

The Germanic Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

The Global Business major will prepare you to be a leader in fast-paced and dynamic global businesses, government agencies and international non-for-profit organisations. 

This major combines deep insights into global business strategies, environmental and cultural analysis, and regional expertise with the technical skills for managing complex, agile, and sustainable global operations and supply chains in today’s rapidly evolving world. 

Communication is central to human interactions. The Hearing, Speech and Communication major focuses on speech, language and hearing acquisition, and ways in which human communication develops and can be disrupted over the lifespan.

About this major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew major is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry. By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew major offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you will be directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.

Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew major and those offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will also have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Hebrew (Modern).

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Hebrew (Modern) (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers or Extension.

About this major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew major is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry. By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew major offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you will be directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.

Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew major and those offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will also have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Hebrew (Modern).

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Hebrew (Modern) (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners who receive a mark higher than 70.

About this major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by approximately nine million people. The Modern Hebrew major is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills.

The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry. By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew major offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you will be directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.

Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew major and those offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will also have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Hebrew (Modern).

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Hebrew (Modern) (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

About this major

The History major equips you to understand change, to look at things from different perspectives, and to assess diverse kinds of information.

At the heart of your first year is The History Workshop. You will join a small-group class that takes a particular time and place as the starting point for the examination of social, cultural, political, or economic change. This class introduces you to historical thinking and teaches you disciplinary skills in an intensive but informal learning environment. The History Workshop is complemented by units on world history over the past 1000 years that will provide you with a broad framework for understanding change and making comparisons.

In your second and third years, you will explore a variety of subjects - from sexuality and war to politics and culture, from the history of ideas to the history of food - in a range of times and places - spanning from the Middle Ages to the present, from Australia and China to the United States and Europe. You will have the freedom to choose which times and places you wish to focus on. As the largest history major in Australia, the University of Sydney offers a wide range of options.

The major culminates in a capstone unit that, depending on your interests, explores the theory of history, gives you the opportunity to do extensive research on a topic you choose yourself, or enables you to work with community groups and other organisations to apply your history skills beyond the classroom.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of History. 

About this major

History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) will allow you to enrich and deepen your knowledge of science and its place in modern society. The study of HPS also allows you to stand back from the specialised concerns of their other subjects by gaining a broader perspective on what science is, how it acquired its current form, how it fits into contemporary society, and to analyse the ramifications of scientific developments in a social, cultural, and ethical perspective.

Should your studies fall outside the Faculty of Science, HPS will allow you to gain an understanding of the nature of science, its historical development, and its place in modern society. It also acquaints you with political and ethical discussions within and around modern science.

The Human Resource Management and Employment Relations major will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to manage people, promote decent work, and enable organisations to get the best out of their workforces. 

This major covers all aspects of people management, ranging from day-to-day human resource management activities to strategy development and policy analysis. Organisations face many challenges in managing local, global and virtual workforces, including how to best attract, retain, and motivate people; how to foster productive and inclusive organisational cultures; how to support the health, safety and wellbeing of employees; and how to ensure compliance with evolving workplace laws and regulations. 

About this major

The immune system is an integrated network of cells and specialised organs that can respond to external and internal pathogens that threaten normal physiological status. It can be mobilised in a highly regulated manner to protect humans from infections and cancer while simultaneously being the underlying mechanism of major acute and chronic pathologies.

The Immunology and Pathology major examines how it is that our immune system can be both the cause and the cure of disease in humans and animals. This is important, as an understanding of immunological and pathological mechanisms allows us to think about how our immune system can be manipulated to prevent and treat disease. This major draws together studies in immunology, pathology, anatomy, histopathology (advanced imaging technologies), microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and physiology.

Studies in immunology and pathology are important because they are leading to advances in clinical medicine and clinical science, and the development of new treatments for disease including drugs, vaccines and immuno-therapies. In addition, immunopathological techniques are widely used in biology, histopathology, endocrinology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, neurobiology and genetics.

About this major

Develop a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and knowledge systems, drawing upon the ideas and methods of disciplines including history, anthropology, sociology, literature, linguistics, film and health studies. Indigenous Studies involves these disciplines in a critical dialogue with traditional and contemporary Indigenous people and cultures, and with social and political histories of colonisation and decolonisation.

The units offered reflect national and international trends in the discipline of Indigenous Studies, and articulate the many voices, perspectives and priorities of Indigenous peoples and communities. You will be given the opportunity to engage in analysis, discussion and debate around key issues that are of significance to Australian and international Indigenous peoples, such as language revitalisation, world-leading Indigenous film and literature, the ongoing efforts to improve Indigenous health outcomes and the broader pursuit of Indigenous self-determination and social justice.

Taught by Indigenous and non-Indigenous academic staff from across the University, and experts from the wider community, Indigenous Studies units are offered through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and are available to all students.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by Indigenous studies. 

About this major

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

As a graduate you will have strong language abilities, transferable academic skills, and substantive country knowledge. The Indonesian Studies major will provide you with the linguistic and academic skills required to use Indonesian in a variety of settings, and to conduct research using Indonesian language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Indonesian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Indonesian Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC Indonesian Continuers or HSC Indonesian Extension with a mark of 80% or above.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate student, you will learn about the impact of Indonesia's complex archipelagic geography on its peoples and cultures in a context where colonisation and modernity are merely the most recent of many waves of foreign influence. If you are an advanced learner or a background speaker, you will have the opportunity to study key aspects of modern Indonesian society through thematic seminars taught in the Indonesian language.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Indonesian Studies.

About this major

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

As a graduate you will have strong language abilities, transferable academic skills, and substantive country knowledge. The Indonesian Studies major will provide you with the linguistic and academic skills required to use Indonesian in a variety of settings, and to conduct research using Indonesian language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Indonesian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Indonesian Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Indonesian Continuers or HSC Indonesian Extension or HSC Indonesian Beginners with a mark of 75% or above.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate student, you will learn about the impact of Indonesia's complex archipelagic geography on its peoples and cultures in a context where colonisation and modernity are merely the most recent of many waves of foreign influence. If you are an advanced learner or a background speaker, you will have the opportunity to study key aspects of modern Indonesian society through thematic seminars taught in the Indonesian language.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Indonesian Studies.

About this major

A complex and exciting country, Indonesia is so close to Australia yet different in so many ways. Drawing on our extensive links in Indonesia and with the Indonesian community in Australia, you can experience a highly integrated and contemporary program covering history, politics, geography, anthropology, language and culture.

As a graduate you will have strong language abilities, transferable academic skills, and substantive country knowledge. The Indonesian Studies major will provide you with the linguistic and academic skills required to use Indonesian in a variety of settings, and to conduct research using Indonesian language.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate student, you will learn about the impact of Indonesia's complex archipelagic geography on its peoples and cultures in a context where colonisation and modernity are merely the most recent of many waves of foreign influence. If you are an advanced learner or a background speaker, you will have the opportunity to study key aspects of modern Indonesian society through thematic seminars taught in the Indonesian language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Indonesian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Indonesian Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Indonesian Studies.

About this major

Infectious diseases occur as a result of interactions between microbial pathogens and their hosts. The Infectious Diseases major is a multidisciplinary pathway of study that emphasises how infectious agents interact with human hosts at the molecular, cellular, individual patient and community levels to cause disease.

This major begins with developing an understanding of the relevance of infectious diseases within the concept of ‘One Health’ in which the multifactorial interrelationships between human, animal and environmental health are critical. Central is the context of microbes: bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists being beneficial for good health as well as effective causative agents of disease. The structural and functional cellular and molecular mechanisms that enable establishment and progression of infectious diseases are covered with a particular focus on pathogens: microbial virulence mechanisms; their capacity to evade the human response to injury and infection; their ability to cause tissue damage; their resistance to antimicrobial therapy and the development of new tools to control infectious agents. This progresses to explore patterns of incidence and the epidemiology of outbreaks of infectious diseases within communities.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship major is designed to equip you with comprehensive knowledge and vital practical skills in developing new ventures, innovation for large organisations and identifying and realising new opportunities in national and international markets.

About this major

International Relations is the study of the international political, social, cultural and economic system. You will explore the historical development of that system and gain a comprehensive understanding of the actors, institutions, and processes of international relations.

The major focuses on territorial states that acknowledge no superior authority over issues vital to national interest. You will analyse the nature of this system—the rules and forces governing the behaviour of states, the factors that lead to military conflict or peaceful co-operation, and the current trends towards both a more globally integrated, and a more fragmented world.

In your first year you will be introduced to the core theories, concepts and institutions in international relations, and the history of international system. The second and third year units progressively build upon these foundations, further developing your understanding of central issues, including international security, international organisations, international political economy, and international law. You will also explore the role that international institutions play in shaping policy decisions at the global level.

This major covers key research and teaching areas including:

• the study of the politics of countries around the world, and the way these nations interact in the international arena (foreign affairs, strategic behaviour and diplomacy)
• policy-making processes at the international level
• war and peace, security, terrorism, the international political economy, global cultures, international environmental politics, human rights and security. 

As a graduate you will have developed critical analytical skills and knowledge desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, both domestically and internationally.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

This vibrant and innovative major is taught by lecturers from the School of Languages and Cultures and the School of Literature, Art and Media. You will learn from lecturers whose disciplinary backgrounds are in literature, film studies, theatre studies, cultural studies, translation studies, and social sciences, and with expertise in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditional and modern cultures.

Built upon comparative literary theories, the major is personally rewarding and helps to prepare you for a range of possible career paths in publishing, advertising, media industries, government and non-government organisations, and academic research.

Through a range of comparative units focusing on themes such as cities of the world, relations between textual and visual arts, or on genres such as science fiction, you will look at how questions of society, history, culture and politics have been framed within literature from different traditions at different periods of time.

There are no foreign language requirements as lectures are delivered in English and tutorial discussions are based on texts in English translation. However, reading knowledge of at least one language other than English is required for Honours and Postgraduate study.

This major is offered by International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies.

About this major

The discipline of Italian Studies is one of the best resourced in Australia offering programs from absolute language beginners to PhD. At Undergraduate level, it offers a wide range of language and culture units of study. The language units cater for students at different entry points and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic skills. The culture units aim to develop in-depth understanding of some of the most representative Italian authors, thinkers, and literary and intellectual movements from the Middle Ages to the present, within their historical and socio-cultural context; and of contemporary Italy from a socio-linguistic, historical and cultural perspective.

If you wish to major in Italian Studies you are expected to engage with both language acquisition and cultural studies, in order to gain a deep understanding of the close connection between language and culture. All our units of study aim to develop your analytical and critical skills, so as to enable you to pursue your interest in all aspects of Italian language, literature and culture, and equip you with the necessary skills for Honours and postgraduate studies. We also strongly encourage you to spend a semester in Italy as part of your undergraduate studies, and to this effect we have developed agreements with several Italian Universities.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Italian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Italian Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers who receive a mark of 80 of higher, or HSC Extension, or IB Italian.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

The discipline of Italian Studies is one of the best resourced in Australia offering programs from absolute language beginners to PhD. At Undergraduate level, it offers a wide range of language and culture units of study. The language units cater for students at different entry points and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic skills. The culture units aim to develop in-depth understanding of some of the most representative Italian authors, thinkers, and literary and intellectual movements from the Middle Ages to the present, within their historical and socio-cultural context; and of contemporary Italy from a socio-linguistic, historical and cultural perspective.

If you wish to major in Italian Studies you are expected to engage with both language acquisition and cultural studies, in order to gain a deep understanding of the close connection between language and culture. All our units of study aim to develop your analytical and critical skills, so as to enable you to pursue your interest in all aspects of Italian language, literature and culture, and equip you with the necessary skills for Honours and postgraduate studies. We also strongly encourage you to spend a semester in Italy as part of your undergraduate studies, and to this effect we have developed agreements with several Italian Universities.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Italian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Italian Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners or Italian IB Ab Initio who receive a mark higher than 70 or HSC Continuers who receive less than 80.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

The Italian Studies discipline is one of the best resourced in Australia offering programs from absolute language beginners to PhD. At Undergraduate level, it offers a wide range of language and culture units of study. The language units cater for students at different entry points and, through innovative teaching methods, aim to develop high levels of linguistic skills. The culture units aim to develop in-depth understanding of some of the most representative Italian authors, thinkers, and literary and intellectual movements from the Middle Ages to the present, within their historical and socio-cultural context; and of contemporary Italy from a socio-linguistic, historical and cultural perspective.

If you wish to major in Italian Studies you are expected to engage with both language acquisition and cultural studies, in order to gain a deep understanding of the close connection between language and culture. All our units of study aim to develop your analytical and critical skills, so as to enable you to pursue your interest in all aspects of Italian language, literature and culture, and equip you with the necessary skills for Honours and postgraduate studies. We also strongly encourage you to spend a semester in Italy as part of your undergraduate studies, and to this effect we have developed agreements with several Italian Universities.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Italian Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact us for advice.

The Italian Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC continuers 90 and above or HSC extension 75 and above.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

The Japanese Studies (introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience. With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills. 

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Junior Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Japanese Continuers with a final mark of less than 70 or HSC Japanese Beginners with a final mark of 65.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

With a large network of partner universities in Japan, you will have the opportunity to undertake an unforgettable in-country exchange program experience, further honing your language and cultural skills.

Culture units use Japanese materials to present various aspects of ancient to contemporary Japan ranging across disciplines from history and literature to popular culture.

Even if you have no previous knowledge of the language, you will gain basic literacy in Japanese and the ability to express yourself in everyday situations. If you finish your major at the highest level, you will graduate with quite a fluent proficiency of the language.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Japanese Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Japanese Studies (Senior Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC continuers 70 and above or HSC extension less than 75.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture covers history, philosophy, literature, religion, ethics and cultural studies. Explore two millennia of Jewish civilisation focussing on the historical evolution of Judaism, and how Jewish identity has been moulded by key Jewish thinkers and the Jewish historical experience. Trace this journey through periods of continuity as well as radical change, including the seismic shifts that the Jews experience as both sovereign and diaspora peoples.

Gain insight into the rich cultural heritage of a small minority and their significant contributions to broader world culture in both the Christian and later Muslim worlds. This major focuses on three basic periods: the Classical (Talmudic and post-Talmudic periods in Palestine, the Middle East and Asia); the Medieval, with a focus on the key centres which developed first in Spain and later in Poland; and finally the Modern (and contemporary) era, studying emancipation and the challenges of modernity, the Holocaust, Jewish nationalism and statehood.

All units of study are conducted in English and use texts in English. Study of Hebrew is encouraged in conjunction with this major, and a basic knowledge of either Hebrew Classical or Modern, or German is required for honours and postgraduate study.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This minor will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies minor will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a minor will be awarded a minor in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers who receive a mark of 80 or higher.

This major is offered by the Department of Korean Studies.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This major will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies major will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Heritage Speakers) pathway is suitable for native or heritage speakers of Korean or HSC Korean in Context.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This major will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies major will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Korean Beginners or HSC Korean Continuers with a final mark of less than 80.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Korean Studies provides a broad foundation in communication skills, and offers a range of units of study that enable you to better understand the language, culture and society in Korea. This major will not only open the doors to the language but also to the history, society and culture of a dynamic country that stands at the centre of Northeast Asia.

Develop skills in related research and analytical writing, Korean language, and the in-depth understanding of linguistic, political, social and cultural issues related to traditional, modern and contemporary Korea.

Whether you are a beginner or native speaker, you have been swept along by the 'Korean wave', or you are intrigued by Korea's strategic position or long cultural accomplishments, a Korean Studies major will be a rewarding experience. You will learn to function competently in the globalising world, and will be prepared for a successful career in Korea-related fields including employment in the public service, business and academia.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Korean Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Korean Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Learn to read works of immense cultural and literary significance by the iconic writers of ancient Rome. Latin is the direct ancestor of nearly 50 modern languages and a major contributor to the vocabulary of many others, including English. It was also the language of European literature, history, science, medicine, diplomacy and law for nearly 2000 years. The Latin major opens up intellectual vistas vital for exploring the past or navigating the present.

A major in Latin gives you an advanced ability to read and critically analyse Latin literature. You will study a wide variety of important works from key periods in the development of this hugely influential literature, gaining an understanding of its themes, preoccupations and Roman cultural significance.

Linguistic ability is developed as you progress through a series of units that introduce, practise and then analyse in context Latin morphology and syntax. You may begin either at 1000 level, if you have no prior knowledge of Latin, or at 2000 level if you have studied Latin previously to HSC-level (or equivalent).

The culmination of the major is in-depth study and a nuanced appreciation of celebrated Roman authors. This major will open pathways to careers in journalism, law, publishing, teaching, government and research, among others.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Department of Classics and Ancient History.

View the Latin Unit timetable. 
Please note this timetable is indicative only.

About this major

Linguistics is the study of human language. It aims to find out what language is like, and why, and to find ways to use this knowledge in understanding communication, culture, social life, and the human mind.

Each of the world's 6000 languages is a rich and textured system, with its own sounds, its own grammar, and its own identity and style. You will learn how we use language for persuading others, gathering information, organising our activities, gossiping, and ultimately structuring our societies.

Have you ever wanted to know 'In what ways are all languages the same, and in what ways they differ?', 'Are Australian English and Singapore English two separate languages?', 'How do languages change? And why?' and 'What is it about the human mind that makes language the way it is?' In linguistics, you will learn how to investigate questions like these using methods ranging from computer analysis to textual analysis and to field research expeditions on languages spoken anywhere from major cities to isolated villages.

You will become a language and communication expert. The skills you will acquire in linguistics can be used in the study of the human mind and the diversity of cultures which are relevant to a range of professional settings such as international relations, travel, community development, language teaching, general education, academic research, journalism and publishing, marketing and public relations, and computer science.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Linguistics.

Our Management and Leadership major will equip you with the knowledge, tools and skills to help organisations achieve their objectives, and to make a positive societal contribution as a leader. The major provides you with the frameworks and concepts you need to understand how businesses and other organisations operate. It demonstrates how to navigate complex social and organisational problems, such as ongoing socio-economic uncertainties and inequalities within and outside organisations, as well as issues of business sustainability and environmental challenge.

About this major

Mitigating and managing the marine environment to withstand constant and highly variable climate change is a strategic science and research priority of the Australian government. The Marine Science major draws together relevant material to create a multi disciplinary curriculum that provides you with in-depth knowledge in a range of marine science. The major is explicitly science-based but seeks to provide you with a broader range of capabilities and an interdisciplinary mind-set to service the large and growing demand for coastal and marine experts in a range of fields.

For an indicative unit of study table showing how you can major in Marine Studies, refer to the faculty handbook.

Marketing creates value for customers, organisations and society by understanding market needs and aligning what companies offer with market and consumer insights. The Marketing major equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to generate these insights and develop successful data-driven marketing strategies. 

In this major you will learn the mathematical techniques that are essential for model development, application and assessment including computational and numerical skills. These techniques include ordinary and partial differential equations, which use ideas from calculus, and stochastic modelling, which uses ideas from probability theory.

Mathematics is powerful, beautiful and diverse. It is a language, a tool for analysis and prediction, and a way of thinking about the world. Graduates with mathematical skills are in demand in many areas, especially in business associated with financial services and information technology. 

About this major

The Medicinal Chemistry major will provide you with the knowledge, training and skills needed for employment and research opportunities in drug discovery and development. The discovery of new drugs is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing fields in science, and there is a growing need for safer, more effective pharmaceuticals against old diseases (like cancer), new ones (such as HIV/AIDS) and diseases that are becoming more widespread (such as malaria and tuberculosis). Society also faces challenges ranging from antimicrobial resistance through to cancer and dementia. Medicinal chemistry looks at how to find drugs to combat these diseases, and how to make those drugs.

Microbiology teaches us about life forms that are too small to see with the naked eye. They are vital for life on Earth but can also cause huge problems as infectious disease agents, plant pathogens, contaminants of food and water and biofoulers.

A major in Microbiology introduces you to this tremendous diversity of function and form in the microbial world. You explore the impact of microbes on other life forms, look at their role in health and disease at the level of individuals, populations and ecosystems, and in particular their place in the nexus of human, animal and environmental inter-relationships.

You will investigate ways in which microbes are used to manufacture products and remediate polluted environments and explore microbial genetics and microbial life at the molecular level, with a particular emphasis on current research in Microbiology in our 3000-level units.

By progressing through the major students will learn advanced concepts and methods including molecular microbiology, systems biology, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, advanced microscopy techniques, genetic manipulation, microbial evolution, and the use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance.

About this major

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia’s largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

You can choose to enrol in either language-based units of study or units of pure cultural content, or select from these the most pertinent to achieve your own preferred major. The structure of this major offers the opportunity to complete a series of units that form a coherent and cohesive strand of learning: you can complete all units offered towards a specialisation in language teaching or enrol in units with emphasis on culture, history and civilisation.

Bridging units, dedicated to translation, sociolinguistics or related methodological issues, will also allow you to create your own specific pathway according to the units from other programs or departments. The structure of the Modern Greek major is flexible and adjustable so that you can choose the units you want to study and incorporate them within the context of what is offered in other majors.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Modern Greek Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Modern Greek Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for post-HSC Continuers or Extension.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia’s largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

You can choose to enrol in either language-based units of study or units of pure cultural content, or select from these the most pertinent to achieve your own preferred major. The structure of this major offers the opportunity to complete a series of units that form a coherent and cohesive strand of learning: you can complete all units offered towards a specialisation in language teaching or enrol in units with emphasis on culture, history and civilisation.

Bridging units, dedicated to translation, sociolinguistics or related methodological issues, will also allow you to create your own specific pathway according to the units from other programs or departments. The structure of the Modern Greek major is flexible and adjustable so that you can choose the units you want to study and incorporate them within the context of what is offered in other majors.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Modern Greek Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Modern Greek Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for HSC Beginners.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Study one of the oldest languages and cultures at Australia’s largest department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies. Select from a range of language and culture units, benefit from an intensive in-country program and prepare for employment in education, translation and interpreting, media, government and the private sector.

You can choose to enrol in either language-based units of study or units of pure cultural content, or select from these the most pertinent to achieve your own preferred major. The structure of this major offers the opportunity to complete a series of units that form a coherent and cohesive strand of learning: you can complete all units offered towards a specialisation in language teaching or enrol in units with emphasis on culture, history and civilisation.

Bridging units, dedicated to translation, sociolinguistics or related methodological issues, will also allow you to create your own specific pathway according to the units from other programs or departments. The structure of the Modern Greek major is flexible and adjustable so that you can choose the units you want to study and incorporate them within the context of what is offered in other majors.

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Modern Greek Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Modern Greek Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Offered through the renowned Sydney Conservatorium of Music, this major has a distinguished record of music scholarship, composition and teaching, producing many of Australia's leading music professionals. As a student you will have a unique multi-cultural music education, broadly based in studies of society, culture and performance. Study Composition, Musicology, Popular Music, Music and Media, and Performance in ways that are broadly integrated with one another across the curriculum as well as within individual units of study.

A wide range of units of study are offered which are designed for those who wish to pursue a professional music career, those with broad interests in the study of music in culture, and those who will pursue other careers. This means that you can pursue projects in which music practice can be integrated with the study of history or any other arts major.

As a graduate you will be prepared for a vast array of rewarding careers such as composing, arranging, and performing music for theatre, concert, film, and media, writing about music as a journalist, commentator, critic, or media professional, or arts administration, including curating, marketing, festival and venue management.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

A wide range of units of study are offered which are designed for those who wish to pursue a professional music career, those with broad interests in the study of music in culture, and those who will pursue other careers. This means that you can pursue projects in which music practice can be integrated with the study of history or any other arts major.

As a graduate you will be prepared for a vast array of rewarding careers such as composing, arranging, and performing music for theatre, concert, film, and media, writing about music as a journalist, commentator, critic, or media professional, or arts administration, including curating, marketing, festival and venue management.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Study of the brain and nervous system is one of the largest and fastest growing endeavours of the biological sciences, and is a research strength at the University of Sydney. A major in Neuroscience will provide you with a foundation in the biology of the brain and the fundamentals of cognition.

You will have the opportunity to learn from researchers in the University's Brain and Mind Centre, and Charles Perkins Centre.

This major will equip you to join the rapidly expanding field of global research activity in neuroscience, a discipline which is seeing translation in a number of exciting areas, for example in the fields of engineering, computation, economics and business, and education.

About this major

Nutrition Science is a multidisciplinary area of study that covers the role of food and nutrients in health and disease, across the lifespan. You will explore the basics of biology and biochemistry before focusing on human nutrition. You will have opportunity to investigate nutrition and the effects of nutrients on health and disease from the molecular to the systems level. You will learn how we sense, digest, metabolise and store nutrients and a develop a wide range of laboratory and research skills, including working with big data sets, which will provide a strong foundation for a career as a nutrition scientist, a research pathway, or, with additional pre-requisites, entry to the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics program.

About this major

Pharmacology is concerned with the study of drugs and the key role they play in the treatment of most human diseases. Increasingly, doctors rely on drugs not only to cure disease, for example antibiotics and infections, but also in the prevention of diseases, such as lipid lowering drugs and heart disease. A major in pharmacology will give you a thorough knowledge of the discovery, development and testing of drugs, and its importance to the future of medical research and practice. In this major you will learn about the mechanisms of drug action, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, drug activity and chemical structure, the effect of drugs on body systems, the toxic effects of drugs and more.

Philosophy explores fundamental and important questions such as 'How am I to live?', 'What do I know?', and 'Why should I care?' Cultivate critical thinking and intellectual perspectives crucial for adapting to fast-changing social, political and academic environments. Learn to think precisely, deliberate carefully, and communicate ideas in vivid and persuasive ways.

A major in Physical Activity and Health will allow you to develop knowledge and understanding of human structure and function to allow safe and effective implementation of exercise and physical activity.

Integrating knowledge from the basic, applied and social sciences you will implement exercise and physical activity with an evidence-based practice approach. The Physical Activity and Health major will allow you to engage others from different backgrounds and at different life stages in physical activity projects and exercise programs using a variety of tools, media and strategies appropriate to that audience.

About this major

Study physics and you'll not only become a good scientist, you'll also have a degree in how to solve problems. You'll learn how to design and conduct experiments and how to analyse the results.

Physics explores the fundamental structure of the universe, starting with the smallest subatomic particles. It has provided the foundation for much modern technology, from smartphones and tablet computers to medical imaging equipment.

Our physics students learn from internationally recognised experts, contribute to original research, and become part of our community of scientists. We offer comprehensive programs that cover the basic physics concepts and key ideas in modern physics. Our courses are flexible, allowing you to study topics that interest you most.

Physiology is the study of how the various tissues and organs of the body work to support life and grow. Undertaking a major in physiology will advance your understanding of how the body works, which is often of practical relevance in clinical medicine.

Explore the fundamental biochemistry and physiology of plants

About this major

Political Economy focuses on the links between the economy, society and political interests. You will be equipped to understand a range of competing economic theories, and will use them to analyse pressing economic issues in the contemporary world, including inequality and economic development, economic crisis and change, and the conflict between economic growth and environmental sustainability. You will also study the historical development of capitalist economies and their institutional foundations.

In first year you will be introduced to the principal schools of economic thought and the historical development of the global economy. The second and third year units progressively build upon these foundations, further developing your understanding of central issues in the study of political economy. You can specialise in particular approaches to understanding the economy and can choose from a range of contemporary political economic issues.

This major covers key research and teaching areas including economic development, the distribution of income and wealth, the political economy of human rights, finance, neoliberalism, the environment, business cycles, and global political economy and gender.

You will graduate with the skills required to analyse economic issues of important contemporary public concern, including their social and political aspects.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by Political Economy.  

About this major

Politics is the study of the nature of governments and the distribution of power at the domestic level. Gain the knowledge, theoretical understandings, and practical skills that underpin a successful career that engages with politics at the domestic level. You will focus on how individuals participate in and are affected by politics, and how governing bodies that shape peoples' lives make decisions.

Compare key elements of political systems including government institutions, political parties, interest groups, elections, patterns of political participation, and social movements. At the end of your study you will be equipped with the key concepts, theories and methods used across the discipline of political science.

Key research and teaching areas include:

• comparative politics: looking at the way politics is conducted in different nations, and the impact of different political systems and structure on the distribution of power in society
• politics at a domestic level: the study of Australian politics, including the role of political parties and elections, interest groups and social movements, and the position of Australia in its region
• the policy-making process and the way governments create and implement public policy
• key issues: elections, political protest, environmental politics, leadership, state economies, constitutions, and differing political systems.

As a graduate you will have the skills desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, domestically and in different political contexts across the world.

About this major

The Project Management major will provide you with the fundamental project management skills, theories and methods required in today's complex business environment. Project managers help organisations deliver new or enhance current products, services and infrastructure. They manage and implement new systems and processes, and effect change within organisations.

Based on a complex systems approach, this major uses multidisciplinary theories and methods to investigate how to approach the management of projects where an innovative and dynamic approach is required. The project management-related technical and behavioural skills you will develop can be applied across any industry and is highly valued in professional, creative and management roles.

As a part of an intensive capstone project, you will have the opportunity to undertake a major multidisciplinary project. This requires you to integrate your project management knowledge and skills, and successfully apply them as you initiate, plan, execute, control and close a project. Working as part of a team on a simulated eight-month, mid-sized, high-priority project, you will be responsible for developing the key project management deliverables, including the project charter, project plan, change control process, status reports and post-project reviews.

About this major

There are several ways you can study Psychology at the University of Sydney.

For more information on the various ways you can study Psychology, please visit the Faculty of Science website.

If you are interested in studying psychology but do not wish to pursue professional accreditation, you can complete a Psychological Science major. This major will introduce you to the scientific study of human behaviour, psychology, and mental processes which have applications in many careers.

About this major

Socio-Legal Studies explores how legal ideas, policies, institutions, and practices operate within their broader social, cultural, and historical contexts. You examine how law is created and interpreted—by parliament, the courts, and judges—and consider deeper questions about why law exist and whether it truly maintains social order.

This Major encourages you to think critically about how law interacts with major social issues, including indigeneity, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, class, the environment, and technology. These topics are explored both within Australia and in international contexts. You also engage with human rights instruments and reflect on the broader concept of justice.

In your first year, you’re introduced to foundational socio-legal concepts and theories. You study the structure of the Australian legal system and explore how law and society shape each other through current debates. A key focus is understanding how policy is developed, how it influences legislation, and whether it achieves its intended outcomes.

You also begin developing research skills, learning methods and techniques to support your own investigations. In senior units, you build on this foundation and explore more specialised topics—such as the philosophy of law and justice, the global human rights regime, and the relationship between law and social change.

You engage with these ideas through lectures, tutorials, and real-world applications. You develop your ability to think and communicate in socio-legal terms through essays, policy reports, group discussions, posters, and debates. By graduation, you’ll be ready to critically analyse legal systems and contribute meaningfully to discussions about law and justice.

Socio-Legal Studies provides an excellent foundation for future work in legal or policy settings and complements studies in Criminology and Sociology.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology.

About this major

Sociology is the study of human behaviour, beliefs, and identity in the context of social interaction, social relationships, institutions and change.  We engage with the biggest challenges facing us today but also investigate how individuals and groups influence and are changed by the society in which they live.

When you study sociology, you will be introduced through our first-year units to key ideas and concepts such as inequality, class, gender, power, deviance, change, agency and identity.  These concepts will help you understand social life and social change. You will also be introduced to methods and techniques that will enable you to undertake your own research.  In second and third year, your knowledge is deepened and broadened through the study of specialized areas by scholars deeply engaged in those fields. 

Sociology is a dynamic and engaging field of study, and our graduates emerge well equipped with the critical thinking and research skills fundamental to future society.  It is also a discipline which complements other Majors available, including Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology.

About this major

A major in software development provides the understanding and skill that allow a team to reliably produce high-quality working software that meets client needs. From a foundation of individual programming skill, you will learn the theory and practices involved in determining requirements, designing software solutions, and delivering the outcomes.

About this major

Soil and water security are major human existential challenges to the planet and more so in Australia, being the driest continent with highly weathered soils.

The Soil Science and Hydrology major provides students with training in three key areas; soil, water and climate, and their links with functional, resilient and productive ecosystems.

Soil, water and climate define the physical constraints to ecosystems, and the interpretation of these along with their costs and benefits supports the development of policy and sustainable management strategies.

This knowledge will help secure our soil and water resources to maintain healthy, functional and productive ecosystems. We will explore the complex interaction between soil, water and climate, and the way we manage our landscapes. Ecosystems are considered across paddock to catchment scales and include all sectors from agriculture to forestry to mining to nature reserves.

This major has a strong emphasis on field-based learning through field schools and emphasis on field measurement and modelling through analysis of non-spatial and spatial data. Working with case studies and projects, you will identify and analyse real-world problems with the aim of identifying options to maintain the functionality of these interrelated systems. Students will develop generic skills in GIS, laboratory and data analysis that will enable students to contribute to water and soil security.

About this major

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

With both language and culture subjects, you will explore modern and contemporary culture; discuss major/contemporary literary, film, cultural, and intellectual movements, genres, and works from a variety of media; and engage critically with a wide range of issues related to race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender, and social struggles. You participate in Spanish via group work, role-plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing.

Our exchange programs with universities in Spain and Latin America enhance your learning by offering invaluable in-country exposure to these societies and cultures. 

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Spanish and Latin American Studies (Advanced) pathway is suitable for HSC Spanish Continuers minimum 70%, or at least 5/7 in IB Spanish B.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

With both language and culture subjects, you will explore modern and contemporary culture; discuss major/contemporary literary, film, cultural, and intellectual movements, genres, and works from a variety of media; and engage critically with a wide range of issues related to race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender, and social struggles. You participate in Spanish via group work, role-plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing.

Our exchange programs with universities in Spain and Latin America enhance your learning by offering invaluable in-country exposure to these societies and cultures. 

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

The Spanish and Latin American Studies (Intermediate) pathway is suitable for those that have complete HSC Spanish Beginners with more than 65%.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

About this major

Spanish is spoken by over 400 million people, is the third most spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Studying Spanish will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.

With both language and culture subjects, you will explore modern and contemporary culture; discuss major/contemporary literary, film, cultural, and intellectual movements, genres, and works from a variety of media; and engage critically with a wide range of issues related to race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender, and social struggles. You participate in Spanish via group work, role-plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing.

Our exchange programs with universities in Spain and Latin America enhance your learning by offering invaluable in-country exposure to these societies and cultures. 

Students will follow the appropriate pathway specified in the unit of study tables, based on their individual language level. Students completing any of the pathways for a major will be awarded a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Appropriate language units are determined either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate (as listed in the pathways linked above) or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement. If you are unsure of your language level or which pathway is appropriate for you, please contact the Department for advice.

This Spanish and Latin American Studies (Introductory) pathway is suitable for complete beginners or students with very little language experience.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

Statistics is pervasive in all areas of the sciences, the social sciences, finance and business, and is the key paradigm used to assess the strength of evidence from all kinds of data. In a Statistics major, students learn about theoretical, computational, and applied statistics, and probability theory.

Help save the planet with a career in sustainability

There has never been a more important time to be involved in sustainability. Challenges such as climate change, diminishing resources and inequality mean that it is essential to cultivate a sense of societal responsibility, and create sustainable innovations. Help build a sustainable future for everyone today.

Theatre and Performance Studies looks at a broad range of aesthetic, social and everyday performances: across theatre, dance or `live art' and the stage, to the performative dimensions of politics, sport, cinema and popular culture. As a student you will explore a range of different approaches to performance making, devise short works, and engage with professional artists-in-residence.

About this major

As well as developing practical skills in workshops, you will attend a wide variety of performances, learn how to document them, how to describe the way spaces and architecture are used, how bodies are moving, and how to build these observations into a detailed critical analysis. Performance, as a conceptual lens, also provides a powerful way of interpreting many non-theatrical events, using both theoretical and critical approaches from a diversity of disciplines, including theatre and movement studies, anthropology, history, philosophy and sociology

This major provides a strong theoretical basis for you to later train as a performer, director, teacher, arts administrator, or work in related areas of the arts and cultural practice.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This major is offered by the discipline of Theatre and Performance Studies.

The Urban Studies Major will equip you with the skills and knowledge to understand the complexity of cities and to deal with urban problems that will be the centre of a vast array of professions. It will challenge you to think about the dynamic relationship between understanding cities and city-making by exposing you to a range of critical approaches and professional practices vital to urban life.

About this major

The Visual Arts major taught at Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) will provide you with creative, conceptual and technical skills that can be applied across a wide range of disciplines. As the creative economy expands, skills in both digital and traditional processes, ways of thinking and communicating through image-based media have come to the fore. These are in demand across a range of industries including business, IT, design and communications.

Through experimentation and research you will learn how to contextualise and develop concepts. You will realise your projects by applying skills, techniques, and material knowledge you have developed under the guidance of highly respected and knowledgeable artists and technicians.

The range of units offered enable you to elect to focus on a particular area of studio practice, or develop an innovative combination of creative experiences. You will also be encouraged to work across disciplinary boundaries, and to make links within a broader research context, in order to realise your ideas.

SCA classes are held in well-equipped facilities that support both traditional and new media practices, providing you with the tools and environment to develop your work to a professional standard.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

This major is offered by Sydney College of the Arts.