Bachelor of History
UndergraduateMAQ-HIS-DEG2026
Course information for 2026 intake
Turn history into opportunity
Study global history and gain in-demand research and analytical skills. Majors include ancient history and archaeology. Uncover how the past shapes today. Build skills for careers in education, heritage, policy, or culture.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 15 Feb 2026,
- 19 July 2026
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Bachelor of History
About this degree
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the key developments, theories, concepts and frameworks relevant to the study of history.
- Evaluate historical evidence, interpretations, and arguments from a variety of sources.
- Identify patterns, similarities, and differences across diverse historical contexts and time periods to develop a nuanced understanding of historical change and continuity.
- Apply foundational research skills and tools in locating, evaluating, and interpreting primary and secondary materials to produce findings grounded in rigorous evidence and scholarly standards.
- Communicate complex historical knowledge, arguments, and interpretations clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, using a variety of mediums and formats.
- Contribute to contemporary debates with an informed, sensitive and critical understanding of the relationship between past and present.
- Critically reflect on their role, value, and potential contribution as emerging practitioners, considering the ethical, cultural, and social responsibilities of the discipline in contemporary society.
- Collaborate with peers and/or stakeholders on projects that address a problem, issue or research question that requires historical analysis.
- Demonstrate critical and respectful engagement with the diverse historical and contemporary contributions of Indigenous Australians to social, cultural, and community knowledge systems, through self-reflective analysis and effective communication across disciplinary contexts.
The Bachelor of History offers a dynamic and comprehensive exploration of the human past, from ancient civilisations to contemporary global developments. Students gain critical thinking, research, synthesis, and communication skills through engagement with primary sources, material culture, textual evidence and historical scholarship.
The degree includes four majors: Ancient History, Archaeology, Modern History, and Public History and Heritage, enabling specialisation while maintaining a strong multidisciplinary core. Through analytical inquiry, debate, and evidence-based argument, students develop the ability to interpret fragmentary or conflicting sources and communicate effectively in academic and professional contexts. The potential for digital and field-based learning opportunities further enhances practical skills and real-world application.
Whether analysing ancient inscriptions or curating inclusive historical narratives, students explore human experience across time and place, developing a global, critical perspective on how the past shapes contemporary society. Graduates are prepared for careers in education, research, heritage, public policy, culture, and communication, or for further study in related fields.
Recommended study pattern
Structure - 240 credit points
Core zone - 160 credit points
CORE
Essential units - 70 credit points
ESSENTIAL
Complete each unit below
- BHIX1001 Written Words: The Sources for Ancient History
- BHIX1002 Digging up the Past
- BHIX1003 History Now
- BHIX1004 History and Heritage
- ABSX2060 Indigenous Histories and Knowledges
- BHIX 2001 Oral History and Memory: Voices Across Time
- BHIX3001 Working with History
Capstone unit - 10 credit points
- BHIX3002 Bachelor of History Capstone
Major - 80 credit points
MAJOR
Complete one major from the following options:
- Ancient History
- Archaeology
- Modern History
- Public History and Heritage
Flexible zone - 80 credit points
FLEXIBLE
You can use your flexible zone to enrol in any unit for which you meet the pre-requisites. You may also use your flexible zone to complete one or more minors, or a second major.
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.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$17,960
Indicative total fee $53,880
The amounts shown here are 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.
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
- 4 OUA Undergraduate subjects at pass level from any OUA provider; or
- 2 OUA Undergraduate subjects at credit grade level from any OUA provider
Secondary education: A competitive ATAR of 75, a Selection Rank of 75 or equivalent OP of 12
English requirements:
IELTS overall score 6.5 or equivalent
all bands IETLS 6.0 or above
If you’ve completed prior study at diploma level or higher, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree.
Your prior learning may consist of:
- formal learning (post-secondary study)
- informal and non-formal learning (work and life experience).
Career opportunities
Skills development and a focus on employability are scaffolded across the Bachelor of History (OUA). By endowing our students with transferable knowledge and skills, the course enables graduates to pursue careers in education, public history, tourism, media, museums, libraries, galleries, archives, public affairs and administration. Graduate skills are aligned to employment in both the public and private sectors. Strong partnerships with museums, heritage organisations, and government agencies provide internship opportunities and professional networking, while career guidance helps students leverage their interdisciplinary training for leadership roles in their planned professions. Due to our close connections with industry partners and the practical experiences we provide for our students, Macquarie graduates have found employment at many of Australia’s top museums and cultural heritage firms. The Bachelor of History also prepares students for further Postgraduate or research study in history, public history, heritage and archaeology.
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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.
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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.