Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts is one of the most popular degrees at ANU, and one of the most flexible.

An arts degree is the perfect choice if you have interests in humanities, creative arts or social sciences. As a student in the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, you will have the opportunity to choose from 50 majors and 80 minors that can lead to a variety of careers.

Ranked in World Top 10 universities* in 5 disciplines; archaeology, philosophy, anthropology, politics and developmental studies. You'll have access to a range of study areas, leading academics, and opportunities for real world experience through our partnerships with national cultural, international and political institutions.

As part of your degree, you will choose at least one major and one minor. You will have the opportunity to take up an internship or international exchange using your elective units if you choose.

The Bachelor of Arts can be easily combined with most other undergraduate degrees at ANU. For a full list of degree combinations see study.anu.edu.au/study-options/flexible-degree-options-anu.

Top 4 reasons why you should study a Bachelor of Arts

Many of our disciplines are ranked #1 in Australia and within the top 30 in the world*. There's simply nowhere else to study, but with the best in your chosen field.
No matter what career path you decide to follow, the skills you will gain from an Arts degree will set you up in every profession. Skills include critical thinking, research, oral and written communication, and the ability to understand and explain important complex national and international issues affecting our world today.
You have an incredible range of choice not available at other universities - we have almost 50 majors and 80 minors to choose from, ranging from History to Criminology, or a language - a veritable smorgasbord of options to complement your varied interests.
At ANU we have opportunities for you to grow as a person and in your studies - both in Canberra and abroad - allowing you to travel on exchange, complete a professional internship, or get your hands dirty and experience real research fieldwork.

Our scholarship programs are designed to support students from diverse backgrounds and abilities, and we automatically consider applicants for some of them upon application.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

^Times Higher Education - Global University Employability Ranking 2025

Program details

Honours program details

Download program flyer (PDF)

Key facts

2 in Australia
32 for Arts and Humanities in World*

3 year full-time

Semester 1 & 2 intake

Honours option available

#1 in Australia for graduate employability^

UAC Code: 131003

CRICOS Code: 074016B

Career options

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in policy, government, education, international aid and development, politics, media, information technology, publishing, communications, journalism, advertising, and many other fields

Hear from our students

I chose ANU because I wanted to try somewhere different, a little further from my home in Brisbane. The strength of the International Relations and Political Science program at ANU really impressed me. I couldn't think of anywhere more logical to study these areas.

Brody , Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws

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My brilliant career

I am very honoured to be named Student of the Year, firstly because of the amazing talent pool of students at ANU and secondly because it is recognition not only for all the work I have put in but for the work of my fellow ANU Volunteers and committee members.

Katrina Marson , BA/LLB (Hons) ‘12, GDLP ‘13

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