Bachelor of Arts
Course code/s: ABA Melbourne
The Bachelor of Arts degree allows students to create a course that suits their own interests and needs from a wide range of areas of study. In addition to the wide range of studies in humanities and social sciences, students can include studies from other areas (provided all relevant pre-requisites are satisfied). Students can choose a major in one discipline or complete a double major in two different disciplines. Students undertake subjects in at least three disciplines in their first year.
For a list of subjects offered and the core subject requirements at each year level within a chosen discipline area, please see the disciplines and areas of study section of the handbook.
The Bachelor of Arts can be taken either as a pass degree or with honours, the pass degree, if taken full-time, is designed to be completed within three years.
It is the responsibility of students to ensure they familiarise themselves with the course requirements and that they are enrolled in subjects that conform to those requirements. Students are encouraged to contact the Faculty Student Administration Office if they have any questions regarding the requirements for their course.
Course requirements
To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 360 credit points, with at least 120 credit points at third year level and include in their course at least one core major.
Single Major (135 credit points)
A major consists of 135 credit points in a discipline, and must include the following:
- 30 credit points at first year level (including a first-year core subject within their chosen discipline area),
- 45 credit points at second-year level (including a second-year core subject within their chosen discipline area) and,
- 60 credit points at third-year level (including a third-year core subject within their chosen discipline area)
Students should note that majors in some disciplines must include specific subjects or combinations of subjects.
| Teaching period | Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First year | ||||
| TE-SEM-1 | Major (core subject) | Elective | Elective | Elective |
| TE-SEM-2 | Major | Elective | Elective | Elective |
| Second year | ||||
| TE-SEM-1 | Major (core subject) | Major | Elective | Elective |
| TE-SEM-2 | Major | Elective | Elective | Elective |
| Third year | ||||
| TE-SEM-1 | Major (core subject) | Major | Elective | Elective |
| TE-SEM-2 | Major | Major | Elective | Elective |
Double major (135 credit points in each discipline)
Students can complete a double major within the Bachelor of Arts which consists of 135 credit points in each of two different disciplines. The structure is the same as the structure for a single major but students must complete the structure for two different disciplines.
For a list of subjects offered and the core subject requirements at each year level within a choosen discipline area, please see the disciplines and areas of study section of the handbook.
| Teaching period | Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First year | ||||
| TE-SEM-1 | Major 1 (core subject) | Major 2 (core subject) | Elective | Elective |
| TE-SEM-2 | Major 1 | Major 2 | Elective | Elective |
| Second year | ||||
| TE-SEM-1 | Major 1 (core subject) | Major 1 | Major 2 | Elective |
| TE-SEM-2 | Major 1 | Major 2 (core subject) | Major 2 | Elective |
| Third year | ||||
| TE-SEM-1 | Major 1 (core subject) | Major 1 | Major 2 (core subject) | Major 2 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Major 1 | Major 1 | Major 2 | Major 2 |
Course regulations
A maximum of 210 credit points may be taken from any single discipline in the faculty.
120 credit points (60 credit points in each semester) is a full-time study load for each year level. Students require permission from the faculty to overload by taking more than 60 credit points in any teaching period. Permission is normally based on the student’s previous academic record.
First year subjects
Students must take a minimum of 90 credit points at first year level from subjects offered by the faculty, a maximum of 45 credit points may be taken in any one discipline.
A minimum of 120 credit points and a maximum of 135 credit points of first year subjects may normally be included in the degree, approval for this must be sought from the Faculty Student Administration Office.
Subjects from other La Trobe faculties and other universities
Students may take up to 30 credit points in subjects at each year level from other La Trobe Faculties or other universities, course requirements permitting.
Students can complete a double major with Psychology or Mathematics in the Bachelor of Arts, providing they complete a Major from within the Faculty. Please note: students completing a double major with Psychology or Mathematics are not eligible for registration with the Australian Psychological Association. Students should contact the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering for further information about Psyschology subject offerings and requirements for registration. Students cannot complete a double major in the Psychology and Mathematics in the Bachelor of Arts.
Students may, with permission, study subjects from another tertiary institution in a discipline that is not available at La Trobe University. Applicants for cross-institutional study in a discipline that is available at La Trobe University require written approval from the head of the school or department that offers the discipline and this should be submitted to the Faculty Student Administration Office.
For further information, please contact the Faculty Student Administration Office in person at Humanities 3 building, level 3, or by email at LHUSS@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on (03) 9479 2023.