Bachelor of Arts
UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Innovators, communicators and creators start here!
Develop the analytical and critical thinking, writing, research and project management skills in demand by a variety of industries. Majors include criminal justice, journalism, sociology, history, screen culture, creative writing and public relations.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts
About this degree
Bachelor of Arts Learning Outcomes
PURPOSE
The Bachelor Degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and as a pathway for further learning.Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts will have:
KNOWLEDGE
- a broad and coherent body of theoretical knowledge about culture, history, media and society in one or more disciplines in the Humanities such as History, Sociology, Creative Writing and Literature, Journalism, and Public Relations
- knowledge of the principles and practices of research in the Humanities and their application in a range of public and professional contexts, including how these are produced, studied, communicated and received
- knowledge of the key questions about culture, media and society and how ideas develop, evolve and vary in their manifestation
- knowledge of cultural competence, global awareness and a sense of social justice, enabling them to use knowledge and understandings for ethical reflection directed towards life-long enquiry and civic engagement.
SKILLS
- cognitive and conceptual skills to question, investigate, critically analyse and apply their knowledge to the study of culture and society, past and present
- cognitive and research skills to investigate, gather information, critique and synthesize knowledge in the interpretation and creation of knowledge in relation to culture and society in general, with depth in specific disciplines such as History, Sociology, Creative Writing and Literature, Journalism, Public Relations, and Media
- skills in communication and creative expression, enabling students to articulate their ideas, work independently and with others to produce innovative outcomes and solutions, relevant in their social and cultural contexts, within a wide range of challenging careers. Bachelor of Arts problems with intellectual independence
- communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas
Undergraduate students completing the Bachelor of Arts will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in diverse public, professional, creative and/or scholarly pathways:
- using initiative in research, thinking, theories and methods to resolve a question or problem
- making reasoned decisions based on verifiable information and evidence
- exercising critical, ethical, creative and imaginative thinking in making decisions
- using initiative in adapting and applying their knowledge productively with reference to relevant social and cultural contexts
- assessing and using both primary and secondary research sources and materials
- communicating professionally and creatively through oral, textual, visual, digital and/or interpersonal modes enabling them to contribute to the production of ideas and social and cultural development.
Be prepared for a future career as an innovator, communicator and creator. With our innovative majors you can tailor your degree to both your professional pursuits and your personal interests, creating a unique skill set that could help you secure your dream job.
You will gain the understanding, insight and skill to find and communicate creative solutions to important world issues. You will develop advanced writing and presentation skills as well as research and project management skills. You will also learn about societies and cultures, past and present.
You will have the option to develop specialist expertise in contemporary fields such as journalism and public relations, or more traditional fields such as sociology, history and literary studies to name some.
Recommended study pattern
This degree is an OUA Pathways course, which means there is a recommended series of subjects that, once successfully completed, can be credited towards this degree. To commence the Pathway for this degree, simply select subjects from the Pathway stream below.
Students who aren't taking part in OUA Pathways are recommended to follow this study pattern:
- Start with the level 1 core subjects
- Choose a major sequence and complete all level 1 subjects first
- Complete level 1 elective subjects chosen from the recommended electives list below the majors, or any other subject from the program not already selected.
- Complete the subjects from your level 2, then level 3 major sequence
- Complete level 2, then level 3 elective subjects chosen from the recommended electives list below the majors, or any other subject from the program not already selected.
The Literature major does not have a level one subject that must be followed. Students who wish to complete this major must choose at least one level 1 subject from the relevant discipline before moving on to their level 2 major subjects.
Award requirements
A student must complete 24 subjects or their equivalent, comprised of the following elements:
- The degree will normally be of three year duration for full - time students. Part time students enrolled prior to 2016 may take up to 10 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree. However part time students commencing from 2016 will have 8 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree.
- At least eight subjects must be Griffith University subjects studied via Open Universities Australia
- A student must complete four core subjects at Level 1, and one core subject at Level 2
- A student must complete either one or two major sequences of six subjects each from Art History, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice, History, Journalism, Literature, Media Studies, Public Relations, Screen Culture or Sociology, with at least two subjects at 3rd year level in each major
- The remaining elective subjects for the degree can be made up from a combination of Level 1, 2 and 3 subjects
- A maximum of ten subjects can be taken at first year level over the entire degree
- A minimum of six subjects must be taken at third year level over the entire degree.
- Note: In accordance with the University's Credit Transfer Policy and notwithstanding the amount of credit which may be given towards the Bachelor of Arts, a student undertaking this program is required to completed a minimum of 8 subjects of second and third year level offered through Griffith University which are part of the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements which have not been credited towards another award.
This degree offers you the opportunity to specialise in:
- Art History
- Creative Writing
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Literature
- Journalism
- Media Studies
- Public Relations
- Screen Culture
- Sociology
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Students are required to register with Griffith University for this award by completing a registration https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/griffithpay/Griffith-OUA-Study-Plan.html for a study plan by paying the required fee. The non-refundable $150 registration fee is payable when the registration is submitted.
The $150 fee is not applicable to students who have accepted a Commonwealth supported place.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $20,040
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
- Successful completion of the Humanities Pathway
OR
- At least 2 OUA undergraduate units or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4.0, completed in the last 12 months at the time of application for admission
An OP of 15, a Rank of 66 or an ATAR Score of 61.85
More in depth information regarding Griffith entry requirements can be found at the below website:
https://www.qtac.edu.au/courses---institutions/universities--tafes---colleges/griffith-universityStudents may be able to receive credit for previous studies conducted at other institutions. For further information please contact the Open Universities Australia Officer, Griffith (OUA) Services at Griffith University.
A prospective student who has previously completed or partially completed a degree, may be eligible for a CSP and may also be eligible for credit transfer. For more information, please visit the following web page:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/apply/credit-for-prior-learning-and-articulation
Career opportunities
The Griffith University Bachelor of Arts develops student skills as they progress through each level of the degree. You will have the communication, analytical and critical thinking skills for a dynamic career in a wide range of industries. Depending on your choice of majors, you could pursue a career in management, leadership, journalism, public relations, policy making, research and analysis, writing and communications or a higher degree in a discipline of your choice. You may also be eligible to apply for entry to a graduate teacher preparation degree which may lead to further career opportunities in education and teaching.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Arts Administrators and Managers | Over $120K | N/A^ |
| Historians | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
| Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
| Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
| Social Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 0.4% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.