Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (Extended) is a four-year degree for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to undertake studies in an academically and culturally supported environment. It provides students with an opportunity to make connections between in-depth study of a discipline area in humanities and social sciences, and knowledge of culture and practice.
Offering broad choice across more than 45 subject areas in the humanities and social sciences and access to a full range of subjects from across the University, this degree is your first step towards a career in the arts, or as stepping stone to other specialised degrees at the University.
The degree equips students with excellent communication, critical and analytical skills, with built-in support and academic skills development to ensure your success.
You will begin study with a cohort of students engaged in culturally relevant literacy and mathematics studies and other available units. The first year of the degree is in block mode, on the University’s Camperdown campus. In second year, students can choose a major and a minor from our broad choice across the humanities and social sciences, or from the University's shared pool.
As part of this program, you will have access to tailored academic support and tutors, mentors through our Mentoring our Brothers and Sisters (MOBS) program, with a wide-range of course and residential scholarships available. You will also have access to a variety of opportunities available to Bachelor of Arts students including internships, study abroad and projects and placements in Community and industry.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Minors can be completed in any of the Majors listed below, as well as standalone minors in Diversity Studies, Sanskrit, Social Policy or Writing Studies.
Admission, fees and how to apply
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
Your fee
How to apply
Prospective domestic students apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth supported place . Refer to the UAC website for key dates. Separate scholarship deadlines apply, visit the scholarships website for details.
For other useful information, visit our How to apply page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Current students applying to transfer from a diploma to a bachelor's degree must apply through UAC.
Refer to the UAC website . Separate scholarship deadlines apply visit the scholarships webpage for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) only
What you'll study
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Arts (Extended) degree, candidates must complete 168 credit points in total, comprising:
a) 42 credit points from Table E including:
(i) 24 credit points of Foundation units of study;
(ii) 12 credit points of core units from Table E (WRIT1000 and WRIT1001);
(iii) 6 credit points of cultural project unit;
(b) 6 credit points of core units from Table A for the Bachelor of Arts;
(c) A major (48 credit points) as listed and defined in Section 7 below and as specified in Table A;
(d) A minor (36 credit points) or second major (48 credit points) as specified in Table A or Table S;
(e) A minimum of 12 credit points of units of study in the Open Learning Environment as specified in Table O;
(g) Where appropriate, elective units from Table A, Table S or Table O.
This course will be published in the 2022 handbook.
See the Bachelor of Arts page for available subject areas.
Completion requirement
Under normal progression, a full-time student completes prescribed units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester. Part-time students may undertake prescribed units of study up to the value of 12 credit points per semester. You are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for your units of study.
Sample study plan
Bachelor of Arts (Extended) major in History, minor in Indigenous Studies
| Foundation Year | ||||
| Sem 1 | Indigenous Literacies in Academic Contexts A | Power of Number A | OLE Unit | |
| Sem 2 | Indigenous Literacies in Academic Contexts B | Power of Number B | OLE Unit | |
| Year 1 | ||||
| Sem 1 | History Major | Indigenous Studies Minor | FASS1000 | |
| Sem 2 | History Major | Indigenous Studies Minor | WRIT1000 | |
| Year 2 | ||||
| Sem 1 | History Major | Indigenous Studies Minor | Elective | Elective |
| Sem 2 | History Major | Indigenous Studies Minor | Elective | Elective |
| Year 3 | ||||
| Sem 1 | History Major | History Major | Indigenous Studies Minor | Elective |
| Sem 2 | History Major | History Major | Indigenous Studies Minor | Cultural Capstone |
This is an indicative study plan only, students may choose other majors and minors.
Assumed knowledge
Depends on the areas or units of study. For language studies: pathways are available for applicants with no prior language experience, as well as for those with prior experience in the respective language of study.
Admission requirement
This course is an alternative entry program.
(1) Admission to this course is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, who meet the process outlined in the Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.
(2) Admission to this course will be on demonstrated potential for tertiary study to a standard sufficient to undertake the course as demonstrated in:
- a numeracy and literacy diagnostic assessment;
- a structured interview;
- evidence of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents) or Record of Student Achievement (RoSA), tertiary study or an approved preparation program; English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English;
- a portfolio of written work or support material including a personal statement of intent for studying the course.
Course opportunities
Most subject areas within the Bachelor of Arts (Extended) allow for students to take part in an international exchange program. The program enables students to enhance their skills in a language other than English and their knowledge of other societies and cultures.
Graduate opportunities
Our graduates can be found across a broad range of careers and roles, including:
- Anthropologist
- Analyst
- Archaeologist
- Archivist
- Art historian
- Business administrator or manager
- Creative lead
- Editor or publisher
- Foreign affairs and trade officer
- Government policy officer
- Historian
- Heritage specialist
- Information specialist
- Journalist
- Language specialist
- Marketing and communications specialist
- Media producer
- Museum or gallery curator
- Researcher
- Sociologist
Domestic students
International students
