| What is a major?
A major is a subject area in which a student chooses to specialise for their Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. This means completing a certain number of credit points in that subject. For example, if you wish to specialise in English for your BA then you would need to complete at least 48 credit points in English to qualify.
A unit of a subject is worth 6 credit points, so that means completing at least 8 units of English (usually spread over three years for full-time students, and over a longer period for part-time students) in order to reach the required number of credit points. A Bachelor of Arts degree requires a total of 144 credit points, so any remaining credit points (96, if you take no more than 48 credit points in your major subject) can be taken from other subjects.
You can specialise in two majors if you wish. For example, you might like to have a major in History and a major in Philosophy. Here, you would need to have at least 48 credit points in History and at least 48 credit points in Philosophy, with the remaining credit points to come at least partly from other subjects.
When you are formally awarded your degree at the graduation ceremony, the document (called a testamur) will show your award and major, e.g.:
John Smith
Bachelor of Arts
(Music)
Joan Smith
Bachelor of Arts
(Philosophy)
(Political Science)
While you don’t have to finally settle on your major at the very beginning of your studies, keep in mind that choosing your major will be an important step to take at some point early in your degree. To help you with this decision, we are pleased to provide you with information and examples of how to complete majors in the subject areas.
Please be aware that the examples below are offered as a guide only when structuring your degree. Even if you are quite sure about your choices, please consult the Student Centre to verify that your plan is viable and correct. Details such as co/prerequisites, internal/external status, etc, have to be taken into account. Consider also that there is greater flexibility in subject choices than the examples suggest. It will be helpful to visit the following web pages and at least read the relevant information there.
Plan for a BA major
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Major subject 100 level |
Major subject 100 level |
Major subject 300 level |
Major subject 300 level |
Major subject 300 level |
Major subject 300 level |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Major subject 300 level |
Major subject 300 level |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Plan for a BA double major
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Major I subject 100 level |
Major I subject 100 level |
Major I subject 300 level |
Major I subject 300 level |
Major I subject 300 level |
Major I subject 300 level |
Major II subject 100 level |
Major II subject 100 level |
Major I subject 300 level |
Major I subject 300 level |
Major II subject 300 level |
Major II subject300 level |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Major II subject 300 level |
Major II subject 300 level |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Other 100 level unit |
Major II subject 300 level |
Major II subject 300 level |
Other 300 level unit |
Other 300 level unit |
Some of the rules applying to degree plans are:
- No more than 60 credit points at 100 level will contribute to the degree
- At least 12 credit points must be at 300 level
- There must be at least 12 credit points in each of 3 subjects
- 108 credit points must be from Arts; a maximum of 36 credit points may be from other faculties - see schedule for approved units
- No more than 96 credit points will be awarded in one subject
- A major in Psychology has prescribed units - see schedule
The following are examples to illustrate how a degree might be filled out:
Plan for a BA with a major in Music
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
MUSI 170 |
MUSI 104 |
MUSI 370 |
MUSI 373 |
MUSI 318 |
MUSI 320 |
MUSI 180 |
MUSI 184 |
MUSI 313 |
MUSI 216 |
MUSI 323 |
MUSI 369 |
FREN 101 |
FREN 102 |
FREN 201 |
FREN 202 |
FREN 301 |
FREN 302 |
HBIO 110 |
ASSO 113 |
INRE 103 |
HBIO 120 |
ASIN 352 |
ASMU 368 |
Analysis:
- 72 credit points in Music (only 48 necessary for a major)
- 36 credit points in French (at least 12 credit points in second subject)
- 12 credit points in Human Bioscience (at least 12 credit points in third subject)
- 24 credit points in Asian Studies (contibutes to the 144 credit points for degree)
Plan for a BA with a double major in Philosophy and Political Science
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
PHIL 101 |
PHIL 102 |
PHIL 300 |
PHIL 300 |
PHIL 300 |
PHIL 300 |
POLS 101 |
POLS 102 |
PHIL 300 |
PHIL 300 |
POLS 300 |
POLS 300 |
RELS 111 |
RELS 112 |
POLS 300 |
POLS 300 |
RELS 303 |
RELS 305 |
PDAB 100 |
ANCH 110 |
POLS 300 |
POLS 300 |
PDAB 200 |
ANCH 301 |
Analysis:
- 48 credit points in Philosophy (48 necessary for a major)
- 48 credit points in Political Science (48 necessary for second major)
- 24 credit points in Studies in Religion (at least 12 credit points in third subject)
- 12 credit points in Aboriginal Studies (contibutes to the 144 credit points for degree)
- 12 credit points in Ancient History (contibutes to the 144 credit points for degree)
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