Liberal Arts and Science at the University of Sydney
Why study with us
The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020.
Find out moreWith a broad range of flexible and dynamic career options, science graduates are in high demand across many industries.
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With its flexibility and huge choice of majors, the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science provides you with a background in both the humanities and the sciences, and gives you useful skills that will make you highly valued by potential employers in jobs across the market. From writing and presenting to thinking ethically and critically, the BLAS degree is your preparation for life beyond the classroom.
With its flexibility and huge choice of majors, this is a course designed for the student who is fascinated by the world and wants to learn as much about it as they can. With a BLAS degree, you can indulge your interests in both the arts and sciences without restricting yourself to just one specialist area of study.
Over the three-year degree, you choose either an arts or a science major. With over 40 arts majors and 30 science majors, that adds up to almost 80 choices, from Philosophy to Physics to Political Economy. You will then complement your major by choosing subjects from the other area, ensuring you leave with the well-rounded knowledge base that defines graduates of liberal arts degrees.
But the BLAS degree is about much more than what facts and figures you learn. It's about getting skills that can be used in life beyond the classroom. A special Liberal Studies stream has been built in to the BLAS degree to boost your communication and analytical skills, which potential employers have told us time and time again are the skills that they look for in recruits.
You have the choice to complete with a major from Science or Arts.
Examples of popular Science majors offered by our academic schools are listed below:
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences majors include:
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science may be undertaken three years full-time or six years part-time. In the course you will complete at least one major in science or arts.
Full-time students enrol in junior units of study with a maximum 48 credit points (cp) during first year. A typical unit of study has a value of 6cp. If you intend to major in a humanities or social sciences subject area you will enrol in 24cp of junior units of study from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Handbook Table A, and 12cp of junior units of study from the Faculty of Science Handbook Table A. Conversely, if you intend to major in a science subject area you will enrol in 24cp of junior units of study from the Faculty of Science Handbook Table A and 12cp of junior units of study from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Handbook Table A.
In second and third year, you will continue to focus on your chosen major, and complete your studies with 36cp from the designated liberal studies stream, which includes units from the areas of analytical thinking, communication, ethics, scientific enquiry, technological literacy and culture, society and global citizenship.
Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Major | Elective | LS: Analytical Thinking | Sequence/minor |
| 2 | Major | Elective | LS: Writing and Rhetoric: Academic Essays | Sequence/minor | |
| 2 | 1 | Major | Elective | LS: Ethics | Sequence/minor |
| 2 | Major | Elective | LS: Elective | Sequence/minor | |
| 3 | 1 | Major | Major | LS: Elective | Sequence/minor |
| 2 | Major | Major | LS: Elective | Sequence/minor | |
Assumed knowledge depends on subject areas chosen. Some units of study assume a level of knowledge of the subject area.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
If you've already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.
In addition to the amazing things you'll study, you can explore our Science Student Experience pages, and get a taste of the other incredible opportunities, events and activities available to you as a science student, including:
Most majors within the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science are recognised by the relevant professional association. For example, if you complete a major in chemistry you are eligible for graduate membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).
You will be well equipped to pursue a range of careers, such as:
Depending on your major, some fields you might find yourself working in areas such as:
We’ve reimagined the Sydney Undergraduate Experience – the way we teach and the way you’ll learn – to prepare you for a future full of possibilities.
Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study in the course, and the specific units of study in which you enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
Please note that for some courses there are additional costs in addition to the student contribution. Some of these additional costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Please consult the University's web page for more information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Undergraduate Students
The tuition fee for international undergraduate students is an indication of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount. For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
