Bachelor of Arts
at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales.
A three-year arts degree taught at ACU's Strathfield campus in Sydney (selection ranks shown are for Strathfield). No prerequisites; assumed knowledge is any 2 units of English (Band 3), plus Mathematics Advanced (Band 3) for a mathematics major. Every student completes a community volunteering unit in third year.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the ACU Bachelor of Arts for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 59.95 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 58.60 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 60.60 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 60.35 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Majors and minors include archaeology, business studies, design and technologies, drama, English, geography, environment and society, history, human rights, languages, legal studies, mathematics, music, philosophy, politics and international relations, psychology, sustainability, sociology, study of religions, theological studies and visual arts. In third year every student completes the compulsory Learning in the Community unit, which includes a period of voluntary service with a not-for-profit community organisation. Honours is available as an additional year for high-achieving students.
Placement and industry experience
The compulsory third-year Learning in the Community unit includes a period of voluntary service with a not-for-profit community organisation, linking what students learn in class with community work.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work in writing, editing and publishing roles across media, government and the not-for-profit sector.
- Many alumni pursue policy and research positions in the public service or NGO sector.
- Common further-study pathways include teaching, law (graduate JD) and a research Honours year.
Typical first jobs
- Policy officer in NSW and Federal government graduate programs
- Editorial assistant in publishing, content and communications
- Communications adviser at NGOs and corporates
- Electorate officer or political adviser
- Research assistant at universities, think tanks and NGOs
- Project coordinator in not-for-profits and arts organisations
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates can take an Honours year, a Master of Teaching to become a primary or secondary teacher, or graduate-entry study in law, social work or psychology. Common first roles are in communications, policy, community services, research support and administration.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy reading 100 plus pages per week and writing long-form essays
- People comfortable defending an argument in small tutorial groups
- Those willing to design their own degree across two majors and free electives
- Students considering law, journalism, policy or postgraduate teaching
- Independent learners who can manage unstructured weekly time blocks
It is probably not for you if
- Students who want a structured timetable with one clear career outcome from day one
- Those who prefer technical problems with a single correct answer
- Anyone hoping to avoid 2000 to 3000 word essays
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Australian Catholic University website and on UAC before applying.