The Diploma of Arts requires one year of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

The Diploma of Arts is 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.

The Diploma of Arts is offered only as an exit award for students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts who choose not to complete that program.

Students are required to complete units from at least two sequences at Level 1.

Course aims

The Diploma of Arts provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. Sequences can be taken within the Faculties of: Education, Humanities and Law; Science and Engineering; and Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The course aims to provide students with:

  • a sound basis of knowledge in their chosen areas of study
  • the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
  • the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways
  • the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour.

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the one year Diploma of Arts degree students will have:

  • a theoretical body of knowledge with some depth in two major areas of study;
  • cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources.

Students should be able to:

  • solve problems;
  • transfer knowledge to others;
  • demonstrate understanding of knowledge.

Within their fields of study students will have developed:

  • communication and presentation skills (oral, written, electronic and graphic);
  • teamwork and interpersonal skills;
  • management and planning skills (including self-management skills);
  • intellectual skills.

Program of study

To qualify for the Diploma of Arts, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

The 36 units must include:

  • COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units)*
  • one Arts sequence selected from the list of BA sequences comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics;
  • a second Arts sequence (different from the first sequence) selected from the list of BA sequences comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics;
  • 13.5 units of Year 1 topics taken from any sequence.

Any topic offered by the University may be chosen to complete the 36 units, provided course and prerequisite requirements are met.

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

The following can be studied as part of the two sequences

Students who commenced study in the BA prior to 2016 may count the following as part of the two sequences:

* Under certain conditions the core topic COMS1001 may be replaced with an alternative topic. See COMS1001 for further details.