The Enhanced Program for High Achievers in the Bachelor of Arts requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time); the honours program requires an additional year (or the equivalent part-time). Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who achieves a credit level average or better at the end of third year. Individual Honours programs may require a higher grade point average and/or the completion of specific topics as prerequisites for admission. These requirements are included in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) course rule.

The Enhanced Program for High Achievers in the Bachelor of Arts is designed to offer high achieving students additional challenging material to enable them to maximise their intellectual growth and potential and to provide an environment where students with similar capabilities can come together to pursue their studies, develop their interests and share ideas. In addition, it provides students with the skills and knowledge required to pursue further study at Honours and research higher degree levels.

Students are required to complete core topics and at least one major sequence and one minor sequence for the Enhanced Program for High Achievers. It is possible to arrange a program in order to complete two major sequences. High Achieving students will be mentored throughout their degree and may be required to attend conferences and seminars as directed by the Program Coordinator.

The BA, Enhanced Program for High Achievers and BA Honours degrees are administered by the BA Management Committee. Major sequences and individual topics are offered in a range of schools and departments and fields of study drawn from across the University.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The Enhanced Program for High Achievers in the Bachelor of Arts provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a strong focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. Majors, extended majors and minors can be taken within the Faculties of: Education, Humanities and Law; Science and Engineering and Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The program aims to provide students with:

  • a coherent and advanced knowledge in their chosen areas of study
  • the knowledge and ability to undertake a research project
  • the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
  • the ability to communicate at a high level in a range of contexts and settings
  • the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • the skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries
  • an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour.

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the three year Enhanced Program for High Achievers in the Bachelor of Arts students will have:

  • coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more areas of study
  • knowledge of research principles and methods
  • advanced cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems
  • the ability to plan and execute a piece of research and scholarship under the guidance of a mentor
  • skills in the application of knowledge, and in collaborating across boundaries
  • independent and lifelong learning skills
  • an appreciation of ethical values.

Students should:

  • be familiar with theories, factual content and research procedures in their major and other fields of study
  • be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and solve problems
  • understand the processes through which current knowledge was developed
  • understand the relationships and connections between different fields of study.

Within their fields of study students will have developed:

  • communication and presentation skills (oral, written, electronic and graphic)
  • teamwork and interpersonal skills (including an understanding of cultural diversity)
  • management and planning skills (including self-management skills)
  • intellectual and creative skills.

Program of study

To qualify for the Enhanced Program for High Achievers in the Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic; and maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 for the duration of the degree. Students who do not maintain the required GPA may not be permitted to continue in the Program. For the purposes of this requirement, if a student in the Program has attempted: 36 units with an overall GPA of less than 5.0; or 72 units with an overall GPA of less than 5.0; or 108 units with an overall GPA of less than 5.0, then this may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress in the Enhanced Program for High Achievers.

Except with permission of the Bachelor of Arts Management Committee, students must normally enrol in a minimum of 18 units per year and complete the Program within six consecutive years.

The 108 units must include:

  • 13.5 units of core topics for students in the High Achievers Program
  • one Arts major sequence selected from the list of BA major sequences, comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics, 9 units of Year 2 topics, 9 units of Year 3 topics and an additional 9 units of Year 2 or 3 topics according to the requirements for the specific major sequence;
  • one Arts minor sequence (different from the major) selected from the list of major or minor sequences, normally comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics, 9 units of Year 2 topics, and an additional 4.5 units of Year 2 or 3 topics;
  • at least 27 but not more than 45 units of Year 1 topics.

Provided there are suitable topics available, a student may complete an extended Arts major sequence of 45 units selected from the relevant list of BA major sequences, comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics, 9 units of Year 2 topics, 9 units of Year 3 topics and an additional 18 units of Year 2 or 3 topics according to the requirements for the specific major sequence.

Students will be expected to declare their major sequence at the completion of 36 units.

Any topic offered by the University may be chosen to complete the 108 units, provided course and prerequisite requirements are met. In choosing Year 3 topics, students must pay attention to the assumed knowledge requirements specified for those topics.

The BA Examination Board may approve substitute topics if a student is unable to undertake particular core topics while studying overseas on an approved program.

Core - Year 1 topic

 ARTS1000   Inquiry and Research Across the BA  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topic

 ARTS2000  Work-Ready Skills for BA High Achievers  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topic

 ARTS3000 Project and Conference  (4.5 units)

Majors or Minors Sequences (all except those marked # can be taken at honours level)

University accredited languages, taken through cross-institutional studies, including those offered by the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, are also available as majors in the Flinders Bachelor of Arts - Enhanced Program for High Achievers.

Minor Sequences only

Phasing out Majors – only available to students who commenced study in the BA prior to 2016:

*Creative Writing can be taken at Honours level under the English program