With 30 major subjects to choose from and spanning the humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts, Bachelor of Arts (BA) students can follow their passion and gain valuable skills.
Over the three years of your degree, you will gain the critical thinking, creative problem solving, and communication skills that employers want. Unique practical experiences such as internships are on offer too.
How do I plan my degree?
Typical degree structure for Bachelor of Arts
- Arts major courses
- Arts minor courses
- Other Arts courses
- Courses from Arts or other degrees
(1) Students must complete at least 15 points from a prescribed list of courses. These points can be completed during any year of the degree.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points (or more).
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible.
For all major requirements and more information, go to the Regulations for the Bachelor of Arts.
The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum total of 360 points:
- at least 255 points from Arts courses, including 15 points from a prescribed list of courses
- the remaining 105 points can be from either Arts courses or courses from other degrees.
A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor (advancing students).
Majors and minors
BA students have the option of completing either:
- a major and a minor subject
- two majors (a double major)
Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 135 points in a single Arts subject. Of these, at least 45 points must be at 200-level and at least 60 points at 300-level.
A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or in Youth and Community Leadership.
Double degrees
It is possible to combine an Arts degree with other degrees such as the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Laws, or Bachelor of Science.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Conjoint degrees
Students can study the Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Commerce or the Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Science, which requires 60 points less than a double degree and will be completed in four years in an intensive format.
For example, students may want to study the Media and Communication BA major with the Tourism Marketing and Management BCom major, or the Cultural Studies BA major with the Computer Science BSc major.
Contact a Student Advisor from each relevant College or School for course planning advice.