Bachelor of Arts
at James Cook University, Queensland.
A three-year arts degree at Townsville (ranks shown), Cairns (66.65 in 2026) and online. The prerequisite is English, Literature, English and Literature Extension or EAL (Units 3 and 4, C).
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 JCU 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 | 62.50 | qtac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 60.25 | qtac.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 QTAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
Students choose from study areas including anthropology, archaeology, criminology, English, history, human geography, human services, Indigenous studies, politics and international relations, psychology studies and sociology, and can specialise or combine disciplines. The degree builds communication, critical evaluation and problem-solving skills and an understanding of cultural diversity and ethics. Online and on-campus study can be combined. JCU guarantees admission to most courses for applicants who reach a published minimum ATAR.
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 or project officer in Queensland or Commonwealth public service
- Research assistant or analyst
- Communications or media officer in a regional council or NGO
- Editorial assistant or regional journalist
- Community-sector programme coordinator
- Indigenous or community engagement officer
- Marketing or content coordinator
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $66,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Graduates work in government, community, heritage and communication roles, or continue to Honours, teaching or other postgraduate study.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Strong readers who enjoy long-form non-fiction and academic writing
- Students who like building arguments and defending them in writing
- People drawn to politics, history, language, culture or Indigenous studies
- Independent learners comfortable with light timetables
- Writers who want to build a research and portfolio base
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a single, clear job outcome at graduation
- Those who dislike heavy reading and frequent essay writing
- Students who prefer maths-heavy or lab-based subjects
- People who need tight structure and high contact hours
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the James Cook University website and on QTAC before applying.