Bachelor of Arts
at The University of Sydney, New South Wales.
A three-year arts degree at Camperdown/Darlington with a wide choice of majors across the humanities, languages and social sciences. The rank shown is the lowest offered; the university publishes a guaranteed selection rank, subject to any non-ATAR criteria. Assumed knowledge depends on the majors chosen.
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 USyd 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 | 80.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 80.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 80.05 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 80.00 | 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 a degree core unit, a major from the Arts Table A list, a second major or a minor, units from the Open Learning Environment and electives. Table A spans areas such as American studies, Ancient Greek, ancient history, anthropology, Arabic language and cultures, archaeology, art history, Asian studies, English, history, linguistics, philosophy, politics, sociology and many languages. A Bachelor of Arts (Extended) version is also offered.
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 or Federal government graduate programs
- Editorial assistant in publishing and content roles
- Communications and media adviser
- Electorate officer or political adviser
- Research assistant at think tanks and NGOs
- Project coordinator in not-for-profits and arts organisations
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: jobsandskills.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates can add an Honours year, move into the Master of Teaching, law (Juris Doctor) or other postgraduate study, or start in communications, policy, research and administration roles.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy reading 100 plus pages a week and writing long-form essays
- People comfortable defending an argument in small tutorials
- Those willing to design their own pathway across two majors
- Students considering law, journalism, policy or postgraduate teaching
- Independent learners who can manage unstructured study time
It is probably not for you if
- Students who want a structured timetable with clear career outcomes from day one
- Those who prefer technical problems with single correct answers
- Anyone hoping to avoid 2000 to 3000 word essays
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 USyd
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Sydney website and on UAC before applying.