Bachelor of Arts
at The University of Melbourne, Victoria.
A three-year arts degree at Parkville with 43 areas of study across the humanities, social sciences and languages. VCE prerequisite is a Units 3 and 4 study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL (or 30 in EAL).
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 Melbourne 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 | 85.00 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 86.00 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 87.00 | delta.vtac.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 VTAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First-year students take a Discovery subject introducing ideas central to the humanities, social sciences and languages, then settle on majors and minors by second year. Majors include anthropology, art history, Chinese and Japanese studies, classics, creative writing, criminology, economics, English and theatre studies, history, linguistics, media and communications, philosophy, politics and international studies, psychology, screen and cultural studies and sociology. Third year includes a capstone experience that draws the major together.
Placement and industry experience
Work-based options include local and international internships, community volunteering, fieldwork and industry-based learning subjects.
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 Victorian or Commonwealth public service
- Research assistant or analyst
- Communications or media officer
- Editorial assistant or journalist
- Electorate or political staffer
- Community-sector programme coordinator
- Marketing or content coordinator
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates can apply for Honours or for Melbourne's graduate professional degrees, such as the Juris Doctor or Master of Teaching. Others work in communications, policy, research, media and community organisations.
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 or culture
- Independent learners comfortable with light timetables
- Writers who want to develop a research portfolio
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 contact hours
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Arts as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at Melbourne
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Melbourne website and on VTAC before applying.