Bachelor of Arts
at UNSW Sydney, New South Wales.
A three-year arts degree at UNSW Kensington built from two majors, or a major and a minor, across the humanities, languages and social sciences. There is no assumed knowledge; English Advanced is recommended. UNSW Canberra also offers a separate Bachelor of Arts (2026 rank 75.00).
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 UNSW 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 | 83.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 80.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 72.30 | 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
Students complete two disciplinary components: one major and one minor, or two majors, from the Bachelor of Arts lists, and can use free electives and general education courses for an additional minor. Areas include history, languages, English, philosophy, politics and international relations, sociology, media and film, Indigenous studies and more; check the official course page for the current list.
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 add an Honours year, take a Master of Teaching or a Juris Doctor, or start in communications, policy, research and community roles.
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
Related courses at UNSW
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the UNSW Sydney website and on UAC before applying.