Choose your major
Climate and Social Justice
Be ready to make your mark on a greener, more equitable future by developing a critical understanding of the social impacts of climate change.
Criminology
Learn why crimes are committed, how society defines crime and treats criminals, and what social factors and motivations can lead to criminal behaviour.
Ethics and Technology
Examine the use of data-harvesting by private corporations and governments and the plethora of resulting ethical issues – from privacy and surveillance to human rights, equity and security.
Indigenous Studies
Delve into Indigenous ways of being and doing, which are increasingly appreciated not only their historical value, but also for their place in contemporary society.
Perspectives on Globalisation
Learn how globalisation has transformed our society. Understand international relations. Develop cultural competency skills and open your mind to world cultures.
Politics, Power and Technology
Question political structures and how new media technology has created opportunities for democratic mobilisation and participation, while opening up new ways to corrupt democratic processes.
Professional and Creative Writing
Learn to harness the power of words to tell compelling stories that inform and inspire the world. Explore the traditional and latest methods to hone your writing practice.
Screen Studies and Popular Culture
Chart the history of screen technologies and use your creativity and initiative to anticipate what the future of entertainment will be.
Bachelor of Arts, Perspectives on Globalisation
60
Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- Study structure
- Fees & Scholarships
- How to apply
Overview
Put your passion for a better world into a creative, meaningful career. In the Bachelor of Arts, you’ll learn how societies evolve and humans change the world. Expect to focus on the world's most pressing problems, critical thinking, communication skills, cultural competency, digital literacy and building your confidence to make a difference.
There's still time to get your application in for Semester 1
Haven't quite gotten around to applying direct to your chosen Swinburne course? Don't fret. There's still plenty of time to get your application in, and start in Semester 1.
Your major
Delve into the social, cultural and political trajectories that have unfolded in the digital age and open your mind to the world’s cultures, beliefs and systems. In this multi-disciplinary major, you'll focus on diverse Indigenous and civilizational points of view, develop essential cultural competency skills, consider how globalisation's creative possibilities can be fostered while its potential threats are mitigated and learn about sociology, politics, history and Indigenous studies.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience through our Work Integrated Learning opportunity – a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core unit, you'll collaborate with students and community, civil society and industry partners to create real campaigns for social change.
Skills you’ll learn
- Conceptual understanding
- Critical and creative reasoning
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Self-management
Your career opportunities
- Press officer
- Policy analyst
- Stakeholder relations manager
- Government relations manager or administration
- International business executive
- Corporate media executive
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Top 400 for arts and humanities
5 stars for overall experience
5 stars for teaching quality
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65%
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
-
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Business (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Business (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Sport/Diploma of Leadership and Management
1 year full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
1 year full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Community Services
18 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Event Management
1 year full-time, 8 units max credit
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
- 4Core units
- +
- 8Major units
- +
- 12Elective units
- =
-
3-year bachelor degree
What your course could look like
Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Technology and Society
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART10002 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Global Perspectives on Modernity
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC10012 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Global History
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
HIS10003 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART20003 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Race, Ethnicity and Migration
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC20013 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Work in a Globalised World
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20020 |
|
International Indigenous Perspectives
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
INS20002 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A – Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
SOC20018 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B – Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
SOC20019 |
| or | |
| Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A – Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
SOC20018 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Changemakers in Action
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART30004 |
|
BA Professional Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART30005 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Global Gender and Sex
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC30013 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
|
Politics of the Pacific
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30014 |
|
Borders, Security, and Belonging
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30022 |
2023 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$15,142
Total fee* ($AUD)
$45,426
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$31,000
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Note: There is a 10 per cent discount for on-time payments of your student contribution if you pay a minimum of A$500.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2023 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.