Arts: The University of Melbourne

Breadth subjects

What are breadth studies?

Melbourne’s New Generation degrees are designed to give all students depth and breadth of learning.

Depth is reflected in the expertise you gain by studying a core program in a major discipline. Breadth is a result of choosing additional subjects from outside your major area of study to develop other kinds of expertise.

Breadth studies are a feature of Melbourne’s New Generation undergraduate degrees making up at least 25 per cent of your program.

There are different types of breadth subjects available:

subjects taken from other New Generation degrees in disciplines different to your major area of focus;
specially designed University breadth subjects which explore broad topics (such as climate change) by drawing together the expertise of many different disciplines, and
select subjects from other faculties which will also be available as breadth provided they are outside your main area of study.

Why is breadth important

Breadth subjects are a feature of Melbourne’s New Generation undergraduate degrees. Making up at least 25 per cent of your program, they will enable you to tap other bodies of knowledge, methods of enquiry, personal and professional skills, and ways of knowing. The ability to do this will be critical in the global knowledge era.

This is a future where technologies keep changing, knowledge is renewed and extended rapidly, and innovative and professional work relies on an international outlook, and the ability to collaborate across wide and diverse networks.

To succeed and make lasting contributions, tomorrow’s leaders will be those who can appreciate and orchestrate the efforts of experts from many different fields, stay current with new technologies and be attuned to different cultures and contexts.

Employers have endorsed the Melbourne Model approach, explaining that while graduates still require a profound understanding of their discipline, they must appreciate the broader context in which their skills will be employed and be ready to apply their knowledge to an increasingly wide range of situations.

How do I choose the breadth subjects that are right for me?

Breadth offers you the flexibility to tailor you course to match your passions and career aspirations.

You can pursue a personal interest, such as music or a language
Take subjects outside your core program which add another dimension to your major area of study and help you to develop new skills, or
Enrol in specially designed University breadth subjects which explore broad topics (such as climate change) by drawing together multiple disciplines to expose you to a range of perspectives on a single issue

When you arrive at the University to enrol, a student advisor can help you choose both your core program and your breadth studies.

Visit the University's Handbook to search the full range of breadth subject offerings

As you explore your breadth options, you should consider questions such as:

What subjects interest me most?
What kind of career may I want to pursue?
Do I want to keep studying a language or maths?
What subjects would be useful to me in the future?
What could I learn that would help me be a more active citizen in today’s society?
Do I want to move straight into the workforce when I finish my degree?
What subjects would help my chances of working overseas?
Do I want to complete a postgraduate degree later on?
Do I want to keep learning a musical instrument?
How can I learn more about current issues in the modern world?
Do I really know where I want to go with my degree?

Other practicalities to consider when making a choice about which breadth subjects to pursue include:

whether you have the VCE or equivalent prerequisite (some first year subjects require this)
whether your first year choices cover any prerequisites needed for second or third year breadth choices
whether your first year timetable will allow you to attend all the classes for the mix of subjects you have chosen
whether there are places available in breadth subjects with quotas (such as music, laboratory and field work)

Breadth Rules for the New Generation Bachelor of Arts

You will need to accumulate 75 points (six subjects) over the duration of your degree. Normally students take 25 points (two subjects) at each year level. Some may take up to 37.5 points at first year level, 25 points at second year level and 12.5 points at third year level.
At least one 37.5 point (three subject) Breadth Sequence* may be taken.
Students must complete at least one third year level breadth subject. In many cases this will require prerequisite first and second year level study.

Visit the University's Handbook to learn more about breadth rules for New Generation Bachelor of Arts students

Breadth subjects available for Bachelor of Arts students:

University Breadth Subjects (For BA students Australian Indigenous Studies may be taken as breadth study OR as one of the 8 Interdisciplinary Foundation Subjects. Students are required take two of the Interdisciplinary Foundation Subjects as core subjects).
Non Core subjects available as breadth study eg: undergraduate subjects taught by the Law School.
Core subjects from the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Environments, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Science that are designated as available as breadth.
English as a Second Language Subjects.