Skip to content

Australian Catholic University

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Accelerated mode)

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

  • Level

    Bachelor

  • Duration

    5.5F/P

  • Campus

    Melbourne (VIC)

  • Intl. Tuition

    Fee not confirmed

  • Intake

    TBD

See how your grades stack up for this course

With an Ascenda account you get your fit and admit odds for every programme, a shortlist you can compare, and your deadlines and applications in one place.

Course Overview

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Accelerated mode) at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.

  • Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
  • Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
  • Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
  • Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
  • Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.

Career snapshot (indicative)

Social science graduates develop analytical and research skills valued across the civil service, consultancy, research organisations, NGOs and business. Many proceed to postgraduate specialisation or professional training.

Student life (indicative)

Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and a world leader in café culture, food diversity, live music and the arts. Students consistently rate it as one of the best cities in the world to live and study.

The University at a Glance

Student Population

35,037

Staff Ratio

18.0:1

International

17.0%

Career Prospects

Employment Rate

81.0%

of graduates employed

Avg Starting Salary

£33,970

First-year earnings

Costs & Living

Intl. Tuition

Fee not confirmed

Check the university's official fee page

City & Location

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

  • Foundations of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Accelerated mode)
  • Academic and Research Skills
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Introduction to Theory and Practice
  • Optional language or breadth module.

Year 2

  • Intermediate Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Accelerated mode) topics
  • Applied Methods and Tools
  • Group Project
  • Two optional pathway modules
  • Career and Industry Insights.

Year 3

  • Advanced Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts (Accelerated mode)
  • Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
  • Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
  • Employability and Professional Development.

Entry Requirements

Subjects

  • Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language or at least 20 in English other than EAL. Non
  • Year 12 prerequisites Subject proficiency: As for Year 12 or equivalent. | Current Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. Regional adjustments Our Access ACU scheme encourages applicants to access opportunities at ACU. There are a few ways to receive adjustment points depending on where you live or where you attended school. These are automatically applied through the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre
  • there is no need to apply separately. For further information, please see Adjustment factors Prerequisite (For study in Mathematics) This prerequisite will only be applied by the University if you choose mathematics as your major at enrolment or as part of the course. Year 12 Prerequisite Units 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods Non Year 12 Prerequisite Subject proficiency: As for Year 12 or equivalent. Subject adjustment A study score of 35 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, Economics, Environmental Science, any English, Geography, History: Australian History, Health and Human Development, History: Revolutions, Industry and Enterprise, Literature, any LOTE, Legal Studies, Music Repertoire Performance, Music Inquiry, Music Composition, Media, any Mathematics, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Physical Education, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Sociology, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 1 aggregate point per study. A study score of 40 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, Economics, Environmental Science, any English, Geography, History: Australian History, Health and Human Development, History: Revolutions, Industry and Enterprise, Literature, any LOTE, Legal Studies, Music Repertoire Performance, Music Inquiry, Music Composition, Media, any Mathematics, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Physical Education, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Sociology, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Recent Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. Prerequisite (For study in Mathematics) This prerequisite will only be applied by the University if you choose mathematics as your major at enrolment or as part of the course. Year 12 Prerequisite Units 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods Non Year 12 Prerequisite Subject proficiency: As for Year 12 or equivalent. Subject adjustment A study score of 35 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, Economics, Environmental Science, any English, Geography, History: Australian History, Health and Human Development, History: Revolutions, Industry and Enterprise, Literature, any LOTE, Legal Studies, Music Repertoire Performance, Music Inquiry, Music Composition, Media, any Mathematics, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Physical Education, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Sociology, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 1 aggregate point per study. A study score of 40 in Art Creative Practice, Business Management, Classical Studies, Drama, Product Design and Technologies, Economics, Environmental Science, any English, Geography, History: Australian History, Health and Human Development, History: Revolutions, Industry and Enterprise, Literature, any LOTE, Legal Studies, Music Repertoire Performance, Music Inquiry, Music Composition, Media, any Mathematics, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Physical Education, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religion and Society, Art Making and Exhibiting, Sociology, Theatre Studies, Texts and Traditions, Visual Communication Design or Extended Investigation equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Applicants with Higher Education study Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) The STAT will be considered for most ACU courses for the following applicants who are 21 years of age or older: Applicants with no prior secondary school (Year 12) and/or Applications with no VET qualifications higher than a Certificate III and/or Applicants with secondary school (Year 12) results that do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the course For more information, please visit Entry to ACU Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Prerequisite (For study in Mathematics) This prerequisite will only be applied by the University if you choose mathematics as your major at enrolment or as part of the course. Year 12 Prerequisite Units 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods Non Year 12 Prerequisite Subject proficiency: As for Year 12 or equivalent. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Applicants with VET study Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) The STAT will be considered for most ACU courses for the following applicants who are 21 years of age or older: Applicants with no prior secondary school (Year 12) and/or Applications with no VET qualifications higher than a Certificate III and/or Applicants with secondary school (Year 12) results that do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the course For more information, please visit Entry to ACU Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Prerequisite (For study in Mathematics) This prerequisite will only be applied by the University if you choose mathematics as your major at enrolment or as part of the course. Year 12 Prerequisite Units 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods Non Year 12 Prerequisite Subject proficiency: As for Year 12 or equivalent. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Applicants with work and life experience Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) The STAT will be considered for most ACU courses for the following applicants who are 21 years of age or older: Applicants with no prior secondary school (Year 12) and/or Applications with no VET qualifications higher than a Certificate III and/or Applicants with secondary school (Year 12) results that do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the course For more information, please visit Entry to ACU Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Prerequisite (For study in Mathematics) This prerequisite will only be applied by the University if you choose mathematics as your major at enrolment or as part of the course. Year 12 Prerequisite Units 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods Non Year 12 Prerequisite Subject proficiency: As for Year 12 or equivalent. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website

Source: CourseSeeker (Australian Government), retrieved September 2026. Always confirm the current requirements with the university.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.

Campus & City Life

Student Population

35,037

Total students

Staff Ratio

18:1

Students per staff

International Students

17%

Of student body

Campus at a Glance

City Size

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Climate (indicative)

Mild coastal

Safety Index (indicative)

8.0/10

Transport

Good (close to station or regional airport)

Social Scene

Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle

Student Life & City (indicative)

Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and a world leader in café culture, food diversity, live music and the arts. Students consistently rate it as one of the best cities in the world to live and study.

  • Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and a world leader in café culture, food diversity, live music and the arts.
  • Students consistently rate it as one of the best cities in the world to live and study.

What Students Love

  • Rich arts & cultural scene
  • Great café culture
  • Diverse international food scene
  • Active music scene

University Stats

Total Students35,037
Student-to-Staff Ratio18:1
International Students17%
Safety Index (indicative)8.0/10

Career & Outcomes

Graduate Employment

81%

Employed after graduation

Avg Starting Salary

£33,970

Average first-year salary

Placement Year

✗ Not offered

Industry work experience

Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)

Social science graduates develop analytical and research skills valued across the civil service, consultancy, research organisations, NGOs and business. Many proceed to postgraduate specialisation or professional training.

  • Social science graduates develop analytical and research skills valued across the civil service, consultancy, research organisations, NGOs and business.
  • Many proceed to postgraduate specialisation or professional training.

Top Industries for Graduates

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Social Work

Study Abroad Opportunities

Y

  • Y

Costs & Living Expenses

Intl. Tuition

Fee not confirmed

Check the university's official fee page

Overall Cost of Living (indicative)

HIGH

This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.

Monthly Student Budget (indicative)

Housing£1,082/mo
Food & Groceries£375/mo
Transport£110/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,781
Annual living costs£21,377/yr

Cost Overview (indicative)

Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $2,255/month (housing $1,370, food $475, transport $140). Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.

  • Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $2,255/month (housing $1,370, food $475, transport $140).
  • Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.