Bachelor of Arts

Course Structure

The basic rules of the Melbourne Model Bachelor of Arts (BA) are as follows.

There are two structural exceptions to these rules - Psychology and Economics. Please see the course charts below for examples of how these majors are completed within the BA.


Level one:

In the first year, students are required to complete eight level-1 subjects, including two breadth subjects and two subjects from a choice of eight Interdisciplinary Foundation (IDF) subjects. It comprises the following components:

Students would usually complete at least 75 points at level one before progressing to level two.


Level two:

At level two, students are required to complete:

Students would usually complete at least 75 points at level two before progressing to level three.


Level three:

At level three, students are required to complete:

The maximum amount of study permitted within one area of study (e.g. History, English) is 125 points (10 subjects).


Majors and Minors

All BA students must complete at least one major. All students completing a non-language major will complete a capstone subject (see below) in that major, in the final year of the degree.

A major comprises 100 points of study:

A minor of 75 points is available in all programs that offer a major in the BA (below), as well as several additional programs. The minor comprises 75 points of study:

or

Capstone subjects are not available in the minor.

Students have the opportunity to complete a major or minor chosen from a broad range of Arts options. A major or minor is a specialisation in an area of study, requiring the completion of a specified number of subjects at each year level. Students complete a major in one or, with careful planning from first year, two areas of study, or a major (100 points of study) and a minor (75 points of study).


Breadth Studies

The Melbourne BA breadth component is a quarter of the Arts degree (25 points at each year level) that is undertaken in studies outside of the Faculty of Arts. This complementary study experience in disciplines such as environments, science, biomedicine, commerce and music provides enhanced contextual understanding of Arts studies in a tailored, individual study program.


Sample course plans

The following course plans are basic examples of how you might complete your studies in the BA. Due to the wide range of options available, there are hundreds of different ways you can complete your degree. You will receive one-on-one advice before you commence study to ensure you know your options and choose subjects that suit your goals.

Find subject details in the University of Melbourne Handbook.


Key

Major subject 1 Major subject 2 Minor Elective subject IDF Breadth

Basic Course Structure

Year 1 Semester 1 IDF (Part of Major 2) Level 1 Arts discipline Level 1 Arts discipline Breadth
Semester 2 Level 1 Arts discipline IDF (Part of Major 1) Level 1 Arts discipline Breadth
Year 2 Semester 1 Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 Arts discipline Breadth
Semester 2 Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 Arts discipline Breadth
Year 3 Semester 1 Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 Arts discipline Breadth
Semester 2 Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 Arts discipline Breadth

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Classics, a minor in Sociology and a breadth sequence in Land and Environment

Year 1 Semester 1 Homer to Hollywood
(Part of Major)
History (1) English (1) Animals in Society
Semester 2 Indigenous Studies (Part of Minor) Sociology (1) Classics (1) Natural Environments
Year 2 Semester 1 Social Theory (2) Sociology (2) Classics (2) Forestry and Systems Ecology
Semester 2 Sociology (2) Classics (2) Classics (2) Environmental Management
Year 3 Semester 1 Social Theory (3) Sociology (3) Classics (3) Economics and Agribusiness
Semester 2 Sociology (3) Classics (3) Classics (3) Urban Horticulture

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics (125 points) and Philosophy

Year 1 Semester 1 Knowing Nature
(Part of Major 1)
English (1) History (1) Economics (1)
Semester 2 Indigenous Studies Philosophy (1) Economics (1) Economics (1)
Year 2 Semester 1 Gender Studies (2) Philosophy (2) History (2) Economics (2)
Semester 2 Philosophy (2) Philosophy (2) Economics (2) Economics (2)
Year 3 Semester 1 Gender Studies (3) Philosophy (3) History (3) Economics (3)
Semester 2 Philosophy (3) Philosophy Capstone Economics (3) Economics (3)

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology (125-point major) and History

Year 1 Semester 1 IDF Subject (1) Psychology (1) History (1) Accounting (1)
Semester 2 Psychology (1) IDF Subject (1)
(Part of Major 2)
Economics (1) Accounting (1)
Year 2 Semester 1 Psychology (2) History (2) History (2) Psychology (2)
Semester 2 Psychology (2) Psychology (2) History (2) Accounting (2)
Year 3 Semester 1 Psychology (3) History (3) History (3) Psychology (3)
Semester 2 Psychology (3) Psychology (3) History Capstone (3) Accounting (3)

Bachelor of Arts with major in Media and Communications*

Year 1 Semester 1 IDF Subject (M&C) Level 1 Arts discipline Level 1 Arts discipline Level 1 Breadth
Semester 2 IDF Subject M&C subject Level 1 Arts discipline Level 1 Breadth
Year 2 Semester 1 Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 M&C Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 Breadth
Semester 2 Level 2 M&C Level 2 M&C Level 2 Arts discipline Level 2 Breadth
Year 3 Semester 1 Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 M&C Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 Breadth
Semester 2 Level 3 M&C Level 3 M&C Capstone Level 3 Arts discipline Level 3 Breadth

*Only available to first year BA students who are commencing the degree at level one in 2010.


Further details

If you require in depth course details, please see the following structures.

Download sample course plans


Browse some sample course plans:

You can see details about subjects and disciplines in the University of Melbourne handbook.