Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science

Course overview

This course is designed to provide you with a background in both the humanities and the sciences, as well as communication and analytical skills through the Liberal Studies stream which are identified by potential employers as desirable in a wide range of careers. The course gives you lots of flexibility and a large breadth of subject choice.

While graduates of the course will be highly employable, it also provides a suitable background for you to enter into research via the Honours year or Masters by Research, or into a postgraduate coursework program for further specialisation. If you have a wide variety of interests and don’t want to restrict yourself to majors offered in a specialist course, or if you have specific interests in areas covered in both the arts and the sciences, you will be interested in the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science.

This course is administered by the Faculty of Science.

• Course structure
• Professional recognition
• Further study
• Faculty Contacts

Course structure

This is a three-year inter-disciplinary degree structured to provide students with a broad liberal education in arts and science.

Students will be required to undertake a major in either Science or Arts, complemented by studies from the other faculty. In addition, students will choose from a set of liberal studies units emphasising communication, analytical thinking and ethical practice. Download the guide to BLAS Degree Plans & Liberal Studies units.

Units of study are also available in Culture, Society and Global Citizenship, Scientific Enquiry and Technological Literacy. The degree allows a wide choice of subjects in Arts, Science and other faculties.

An additional Honours year is available to meritorious students.

Sample Liberal Arts and Science study plan - Science major

Professional recognition

Most Science majors in the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science are recognised by the relevant professional association. For example students with a major in chemistry are eligible for Graduate membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

For more information about Arts majors and recognition, visit the Faculty of Arts website.

Further study

After completing your first course, you have a whole range of postgraduate study opportunities. Postgraduate studies enable you to concentrate further on your major area of interest, to diversify your studies, or to study for a professional qualification such as the Master of Commerce.

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science provides ideal preparation for postgraduate study in the University of Sydney’s graduate medicine, law or commerce programs. The right subject combination will also enable you to go on to study in a professional area such as nuclear medicine, psychology, nutrition and dietetics or teaching.

Students also have the opportunity to study units from other faculties.

Faculty contacts

Faculty of Science
Phone: + 61 2 9351 3021
Fax: + 61 2 9351 4846
E-mail:
Faculty of Science website

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Phone: +61 2 9351 3129
Fax: +61 2 9351 2045
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website