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Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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FAQs: Our degrees explained

Answers to all your frequently asked questions

We get it - there's a lot to take in when deciding what to study at uni. But we're here to help. We've tackled some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) for our main degrees to make your decision a little easier.

What is a Bachelor of Arts?

Wondering what a Bachelor of Arts actually is (but have been too scared to ask)? Want to learn more about what you can study, what jobs you can get and whether a BA is worth it? You’ve come to the right place. Read on.

Image of a fisheye aerial shot of cityscape, supporting article to study economics

Study a Bachelor of Economics

Wondering what the difference is between Commerce and Economics? Like to know more about Econometrics? Or if the BEc leads to accreditation? Well, look no further: we've got you covered with this handy FAQ.

Media and Comms explained

What’s the difference between Media and Communications and Digital Cultures? Like to know more about our media internships? Or what types of jobs you’ll be qualified for after graduation? Look no further, check out this FAQ.

Top-down view of 5 pairs of human hands laid out on a table (study social work)

Studying Social Work

Why study social work? Is the Bachelor of Social Work professionally accredited? And what are the other career paths, beyond becoming a registered social worker, for grads? We’ve got the answers for you here.

Studying Visual Arts

Wondering what you need to get into the Bachelor of Visual Arts? Like to know how hands-on the degree is? Or do you want to learn more about then facilities at SCA? Look no further: we've got you covered with this handy FAQ.

Politics and International Relations explained

Want to know more about what you’ll learn in Politics and International Relations at USYD? Or get a better idea of the career opportunities after graduation? We’ve got the answers.

International and Global Studies explained

What will you learn when you study the BA/BAS (International and Global Studies)? Do you have to major in another language in the degree? And can you study overseas? Keep reading, we’ve got answers for you.

Education

Young girl in preschool, working on a basic maths problem at a desk.

Studying Early Childhood education

Unclear what age range is covered in early childhood education? Wondering if pre-school teaching is a good fit? What does the BEd (Early Childhood) teach you and how hands on is the degree? We’ve got answers for you.

Grad teacher in class with primary school students

Studying Primary education

So why study primary education? Unsure what age range the BEd (Primary) trains you to teach? And what are some of the career paths, beyond teaching, for primary grads? Check out this FAQ for the answers.

Studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

So you want to study education to become a high school teacher but have some questions. Like, how can I specialise to become a qualified science teacher? Can I teach music? And what are placements like? Well, we’ve got answers.

Man holding glass globe in hands.

Studying languages at uni

How many languages can you study at USYD? Which language level should you start at? Can you become a certified translator when you graduate? From accreditation to overseas opportunities, we’ve got answers for you.

the view of plane and sky from a window aeroplane sit

Studying Dual Degrees

What are dual degrees? How is it different from a double degree? Like to know more about the opportunity to study overseas? Or what the application process involves? Here, we’ve got all the answers in this FAQ.

Prospective students should refer to our course pages for the most up-to-date information.

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Related information

Nikita Papastamatis, Politics and International Relations student

Student spotlight: The USYD community and studying online

We recently caught up with second year Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations) student Nikita Papastamatis, to ask him why he choose Sydney, what classes were like online and how he came to major in Philosophy.

Students in class on Zoom

Scepticism to surprise: Teaching excellence continues during COVID-19

Despite the significant disruption COVID-19 has brought to university life, Arts and Social Sciences students recently let us know they continued to receive a high standard of education last semester.

Your HSC subjects and our majors

What's the difference between a major and a minor? Unsure how your HSC subjects connect to Arts and Social Sciences subjects? Use this handy page as a guide in deciding what to study at University.

The difference between Arts and Social Sciences majors

Wondered what the difference is between Commerce and Economics? Social Work and Sociology? Media and Communications and Digital Cultures? Find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our majors here.

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