The BA gives you the freedom to follow your interests and study the subjects you love. You can choose from a wide range of study possibilities that cater for many different interests or career goals.
Your BA study can develop the knowledge and skills you need to future-proof your career. Capabilities such as communication and creative thinking will keep your options open for different opportunities in the fast-changing world of work. You can further extend your skill set for future careers through one or two of our optional, theme-based modules.
Your double major will give your degree a strong focus and deepen your knowledge and skills. You have the flexibility to explore different subjects before you choose your two majors.
You can also study two different fields by combining a BA with another degree as
part of a conjoint programme.
Majors available in this programme
- Academic English Studies and Linguistics
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Asian Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Studies and Ancient History
- Communication (Major)
- Communication (Specialisation)
- Criminology
- Drama
- Economics
- Education
- Employment Relations and Organisation Studies
- English
- European Studies
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- German
- Greek
- History
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Logic and Computation
- Mathematics
- Media, Film and Television
- Music
- Māori Studies
- Pacific Studies
- Philosophy
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychology
- Screen Production
- Social Science for Public Health (No longer available for new enrolments)
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Statistics
- TESOL
- Theological and Religious Studies
Additional subjects
You can also take elective courses in:
- Academic English Studies
- Biological Sciences
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Cook Islands Māori
- English Writing
- Humanities
- Physics
- Russian
- Samoan
- Tongan
Programme structure
The BA takes three years to complete if you are studying full time.
You will choose two BA subjects as your two majors (your “double major”). You will take eight courses (120 points) in each major. This includes at least three courses (45 points) at Stage III in each major.
If you would like to study Communication you can either choose it as one of your two majors, or complete our sixteen-course (240-point) specialisation in Communication.
At least half your courses (12 courses or 180 points) must be above Stage I level. The courses for your majors are included in this total.
As well as your majors, you will take elective courses in other subjects. You must study at least three BA subjects (including your majors).
You can choose to take one or two optional modules instead of elective courses. A module is a group of three courses (45 points) that focuses on a specific skill or area of knowledge to benefit or inform future careers.
You will complete two General Education courses. You can also include up to two courses (30 points) from other degree programmes.
In your first year you will probably take eight courses: four in semester one and four in semester two. A typical pattern would be to take two courses in each of three BA subjects, choose one course in a fourth BA subject, and take a General Education course. This gives you an opportunity to explore your interests and discover your strengths.
Towards the end of your first year, you will choose your two majors. In later years you will concentrate on these subjects.
Bachelor of Arts degree planner (PDF)