Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts
Gain the lifelong, transferable skills employers are seeking with one of Western Australia's most diverse degrees.
Majors available
Anthropology
Anthropology is understanding cultural diversity in a globalised world
Applied Human Geography
Get equipped with conceptual and practical tools to build a future of sustainable, vibrant and just societies and economies.
Archaeology
Archaeology is the only discipline to study more than three million years of human history in all its facets.
Asian Studies
Take Asian Studies and prepare yourself for a world of new experiences, opportunities and discovery in our region.
Chinese Studies
More than one billion people globally speak Chinese (Mandarin), making it the most widely-spoken language in the world. Study Chinese and open up doors to an exciting international career.
Classics and Ancient History
Explore the ancient Greek and Roman worlds at the only university in WA that offers Classics and Ancient History.
Communication and Media Studies
Communication and Media Studies is one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of study in today's media-driven world.
Contemporary Popular Music
Engage with the popular music industry to develop your artistry and knowledge.
Criminology
Are you fascinated by crime and the human mind? Crime, psychology, ethics and law are just some of the areas you will explore as you seek to better understand people and the criminal justice system.
English and Literary Studies
English and Literary Studies gives you a unique opportunity to develop your reading, writing and thinking skills through the study of literature, film and television, and through producing your own creative writing.
Fine Arts
Fine Arts is the creative exploration of ideas and the formation of concepts within the unique imaginative field of making art.
French Studies
Studying French at UWA is more than simply learning a language. It's an experience which will open your mind to different cultures, enrich you with a knowledge of history and enable you to engage in real world issues.
Gender Studies
Examine thought-provoking issues around gender and sexuality in society today with a major in Gender Studies.
German Studies
German is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and, as a result, can open doors to many enriching cultural experiences.
History
Wars, revolutions, conflicts and diasporas, nations, empires, economies, environments, cultures, emotions and people – in history, there are no no-go areas and no questions off limits.
History of Art
Understanding the history of art enables students to explore in detail the ongoing significance of art as a platform for shaping and interpreting the world in which we live.
Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
How do Indigenous people view the world? How does Indigenous knowledge inform the world around us?
Indonesian Studies
A major in Indonesian Studies enables you to achieve a high level of fluency in the language and learn about the unique culture and history of the country.
Italian Studies
Learn Italian while also exploring the riches of Italy's cultural past and its dynamic present.
Japanese Studies
This major offers you a passport to appreciating one of Asia's foremost economic and cultural powerhouses.
Korean Studies
The Korean Studies major combines learning the language with the study of Korea-related subjects in various disciplines.
Law and Society
From human rights, crime and justice to Indigenous rights, freedom of expression and religion, the Law and Society major explores the impact of legal and social policy on all areas of our lives.
Linguistics
From sounds and words to how language is used in different societies and cultures, linguistics is the study of language and communication.
Music and Society
Develop your skills and expertise in thinking critically about music.
Music General Studies
Studying Music General Studies allows you to continue your musical journey while pursuing other fields of interest.
Music Studies
Through Music Studies you have the opportunity to innovate, create, and expand your knowledge through performance, composition or musicology.
Music Theatre
Develop your artistry and knowledge as you take to the Music Theatre stage.
Music: Electronic Music and Sound Design
Combine your love of music and technology in this creative-focused major.
Philosophy
Tackle the big questions in life while learning crucial critical thinking skills.
Political Science and International Relations
Gain an understanding of governments and political systems in Australia and internationally and the values and ideologies that have motivated political action in modern society.
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
Psychology is a fascinating and diverse area of study that seeks to answer questions about how and why people behave the way they do.
Science and Technology in Society
Philosophical and historical dimensions to science and technology, focusing on their past, present, and future impact on human society.
Spanish Studies
Learn the language and open your mind to the Spanish way of life.
Work and Employment Relations
Blend politics, law, sociology, economics, history and more as you investigate and challenge the policies and institutions designed to help both employers and employees get the most out of their relationship.
The learning experience
Associated professional pathway
UWA facilities include lecture theatres, case study rooms and break-out areas for group work and individual study.
UWA Schools
Six libraries
One of Australia’s most picturesque campuses
Five residential colleges
Vibrant student experience
Vibrant student experience
Adjacent to the Swan River, our Perth campus is among the most picturesque in Australia with iconic sandstone buildings sitting among heritage-listed gardens. We’re just 10 minutes from Perth’s main shopping and business district and close to many of the city’s stunning beaches.
On campus, you’ll have an array of essential amenities to enjoy, including cafés, libraries, bookshops, a vibrant cultural precinct and tonnes of clubs and societies to join and experience student life to its fullest. Our supportive Student Guild means you can try your hand at volunteering, get independent advice on a range of matters or attend one of the many varied events on and off campus.
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.
Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
This course is available for Experience-based entry
Together with this course, you can also apply for a select number of our undergraduate bachelor's degrees.
Through our Experience-based entry, we will assess all your academic achievements, qualifications and life experiences using a point system, where points will be awarded for each item submitted, and the total number of points will determine your eligibility.
International Student Fees
Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.
Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Careers and further study
Career Opportunities
The Bachelor of Arts prepares students for a range of career pathways. Popular careers cluster around the fields of policy making, communicating, educating and facilitating, human service provision and content creation. Graduate pathways and industries that relate to these fields include law, social work, international relations, population health, international development, environmental management, strategic communication, teaching, community engagement, arts administration, public relations, archaeology and heritage management, urban planning, human resource management, community development, counselling, marketing, security, and tourism.
Potential career opportunities include:
- Policy Maker
- Communicator
- Educator
- Human Service Provider
- Content Creator
Associated professional pathway
Entry requirements
Admission requirements
To be considered for this course you need to:
- achieve the University’s minimum entry score
- demonstrate English language competence
- satisfy any prerequisites for your preferred majors (refer to individual major descriptions for prerequisite details)
You can view the prerequisites and recommended subjects for your chosen course here.
View our admission requirements for specific information, depending on your education history.
Assured Pathway information
If you have a professional career in mind, take advantage of one of our Assured Pathways. An Assured Pathway gives you an assured place in one of our postgraduate professional courses (such as Law, Engineering or Medicine) from the start of your studies with us. The pathways combine a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, providing you with a clearer direction to your career of choice.Admission entry to UWA
We offer a number of other pathways for you to gain entry into our undergraduate degrees if you do not meet the standard admission requirements. Learn more about our admission entry pathways.
About the Bachelor of Arts
UWA's Bachelor of Arts is one of the most flexible and diverse degrees in Western Australia, with over 30 majors, including Political Science and International Relations, History, Philosophy, and a range of European and Asian languages. With majors in humanities and social sciences, music, and design, including the interdisciplinary majors of Gender Studies and Criminology, our Bachelor of Arts lets you cultivate your passions while providing you with the lifelong, transferable skills that employers are seeking, giving you an immediate competitive edge in pursuit of a career. You will graduate with the skills to address complex social issues, integrate local and global knowledge and perspectives, collaborate across disciplinary, organisational and cultural boundaries, and perform human processes that cannot be mechanised or automated.
Quick details
- 34
- 75
- February and July
- 3 years full time
- BP001
- 003005D
Why study Arts at UWA?
- Our Bachelor of Arts is one of the most flexible and diverse degrees in Western Australia
- You’ll be taught by renowned scholars and researchers who are international leaders and experts in their fields as well as award-winning teachers
- You can get hands-on industry experience through our range of professional experience practicum units
- We’re the largest language hub in the state
- You can supplement and extend your formal studies with UWA’s exciting range of opportunities including global exchange, service learning or global citizenship collaborations
- You can enhance your interdisciplinary capabilities by taking electives, minors or additional majors in adjacent fields including STEM
- Our Arts graduates include the founder of Mecca Cosmetica, an Academy Award-winning artist, a film maker, the CEO of Greenpeace APAC and a former federal minister, to name a few
Prominent alumni
- Shaun Tan
Academy Award-winning artist, writer and film maker - Jo Horgan
Founder, Mecca Cosmetica - Tim Minchin
Composer/lyricist, musician, comedian, actor, writer and director - Jarrad Seng
Music and travel photographer and filmmaker - Michael Sheldrick
Co-Founder of Global Citizen, author - Stephen Smith
Former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs - Iain Grandage
Former Artistic Director of Perth Festival, composer, conductor - Kasia McNaught
Founder of McNaught Media - James Evans
Associate Director of Bell Shakespeare - David Ritter
CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific - Sir William Heseltine
Former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II
Past ATAR scores
View full details to find out more about previous entry scores and see ATAR-based offers across all offer rounds1 for this course.
Student backgrounds
You'll learn to
- Develop the communication skills you’ll need to stand out in a global workforce and make a difference in the world
- Critically evaluate complex information in order to make informed judgements
- Use flexible and creative approaches to problem-solving
- Engage ethically and responsibly with the world
Become a bilingual citizen of the world at the largest language hub in Western Australia
- Ranked 1st in WA and 10th in Australia for Arts and Humanities
- Ranked 1st in WA and 7th in Australia for Social Sciences and Management
(QS WUR by Subject 2024)
Where could an Arts degree take me?
Meet three inspiring UWA Arts grads who achieved big things after completing their studies in Where could an Arts degree take me?
Deborah Katona
Joshua Sanchez-Lawson
"Throw yourself into the vibrant campus culture of volunteering that UWA has to offer. There’s no better way to make friends, make an impact, learn new skills and forge valuable networks all at once."
Joshua Sanchez-Lawson graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Law and Society, and Communications and Media Studies. Read more about Joshua's story.
David Bunting
This course is available for Experience-based entry
Together with this course, you can also apply for a select number of our undergraduate bachelor's degrees.
Through our Experience-based entry, we will assess all your academic achievements, qualifications and life experiences using a point system, where points will be awarded for each item submitted, and the total number of points will determine your eligibility.
Graduate with two degrees
The combined degree option allows you to pair your Bachelor of Arts degree with another passion, broadening your career options and giving you an edge in a rapidly changing workforce.
You can combine the Bachelor of Arts with:
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science
- Bachelor of Art History and Curatorial Studies
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)*
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Human Rights
- Bachelor of International Relations
- Bachelor of Mathematics
- Bachelor of Media and Communication
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Modern Languages
- Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Bachelor of Psychology
- Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
You’ll graduate with two Bachelor degrees in just four years, opening up a world of possible career paths while broadening your knowledge, networks and horizons.
Duration: 4 years, *5 years
ATAR: Please refer to relevant course pages
Our facilities
UWA Bachelor of Arts students have access to a range of world-class facilities that enhance your learning and give you hands-on experience before you enter the workplace.
These facilities include:
- Archaeology, Forensics and Rock Art Experimental Farm
- Archaeology Lab
- Callaway Music Auditorium
- Cullity Gallery
- Design Hub
- Eileen Joyce Studio
- Japanese tatami room and authentic garden
- New Fortune Theatre
- Shakespeare Garden
These are complemented by our University-wide facilities including our libraries, which house more than 850,000 books and more than 230,000 non-print items in a wide range of formats, from manuscripts to electronic databases. There's also a wide range of study spaces around campus, including by the picturesque Swan River.