Bachelor of Arts

With the AUT Bachelor of Arts you can choose from majors in areas as diverse as languages, international studies, criminology, psychology, event management and education.

Do you enjoy learning about people and places at an individual, national or international level? Want to learn how to use this knowledge to make a difference in our increasingly globalised society?

The Bachelor of Arts prepares you for a huge range of careers, and you can build your degree in a way that suits you – study a single or a double major, select from a wide range of minors or add elective papers from another area of study. Throughout your Bachelor of Arts you’ll develop effective communication, critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as the ability to research and present professionally. These skills are key to any professional role.

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Minimum entry requirements

  • University Entrance or equivalent
  • Chinese Studies major: Not available for native speakers of Chinese.
  • Interpreting major: High level of competency in English and one other language. Interview will be required.
  • Japanese Studies major: Not available for native speakers of Japanese.
  • NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting major: High level of competency in English (NZSL fluency is not required). Interview will be required.

International student entry requirements

Useful New Zealand school subjects

All subjects are useful, in particular Art History, Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, Media Studies and other languages.

English language requirements

  • Interpreting and NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting majors: IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 7.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Listening; or equivalent.
  • All other majors: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher; or equivalent.

English language requirements

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Consider starting with:

Education

Hospitality, Tourism and Events

Language and Culture

Māori and Indigenous Development (Te Ara Poutama)

Social Sciences and Public Policy

Additional majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees

Add an additional major or a minor to your bachelor’s degree and study another area that interests you. You can choose from a wide range of additional majors or minors.

Additional majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees

The Bachelor of Arts is made up of:

  • Core papers all BA students do - these help you develop transferable skills and support your work in all other papers in the degree
  • A major - this is the main subject and the focus of your degree
  • Another major or a minor focusing on a different subject
  • Elective papers

Throughout your Bachelor of Arts degree you take papers from the core, your major(s) and/or minor. Your final semester includes workplace experience, working on a project/event or at an organisation related to your chosen major.

Core papers

The core papers you take depend on your chosen Bachelor of Arts major. Your faculty or school will advise you what papers to take.

Level 5

CLSY500 Culture and Society
CLSY504 Knowledge and Inquiry
COMM570 Academic Communication: Conventions and Expectations

Level 7

CLSY703 Workplace Integrated Learning
CULN795 Advanced Culinary Events
MAOR707 Cooperative Education II: Project Report
NZSL707 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I: Observations
NZSL708 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II: Professional Practice

Broaden your options - study the Bachelor of Arts and:

Other double degree combinations may also be available. Contact your faculty to discuss your options.

Conjoint programmes

You study two degrees at the same time in a single programme of study. It’s usually possible to complete two three-year degrees in four to five years. You need to maintain a B grade average across all papers and do papers from each degree every year.

Double degrees

The difference between double degrees and conjoint programmes is that in the double degrees you apply for and enrol separately in each of the two degrees. If you’re considering doing this, it’s important that you contact AUT to discuss your plans. Double degrees can be completed either one after the other or concurrently.

Second majors and minors

Adding a second major or a minor allows you to study another area that interests you from a wide range of subjects, so long as your timetable permits.

Quick facts
Programme code:
AK3704
Level:
7
Points:
360
Duration:
3 years full-time / part-time available
Campus:
City Campus
Starts:

20 Jul 2020

22 Feb 2021

12 Jul 2021

The NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting major only starts in February.
Fees:
Domestic
$6,242 - $7,010
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2020. The exact fees will depend on papers selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2020, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • Check if you're eligible for fees-free study
International
$29,216 ($7,384 Māori Development only)
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2020. The exact fees will depend on papers selected and may exceed this figure.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2020, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Scholarships at AUT

Mohamud Mohamed
Kaden Wilson
Jason Jia Wang
Rebekah Guy
Taylor Marston
Mohamud Mohamed
Great graduatesMohamud MohamedDiversity and Engagement Advisor, Office of Ethnic Communities, Department of Internal AffairsMaster of Arts
Bachelor of ArtsHe enjoys enabling New Zealand’s diverse ethnic communities to prosper and thrive, says Mohamud Mohamed who now works in the Office of Ethnic Communities.He enjoys enabling New Zealand’s diverse ethnic communities to prosper and thrive, says AUT social sciences alumnus Mohamud Mohamed who now works in the Office of Ethnic Communities at the Department of Internal Affairs. Mohamud’s hard work for New Zealand’s ethnic communities has certainly been recognised and in 2018 he was a finalist in the 2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards: Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero Award category.
Kaden Wilson
Great graduatesKaden WilsonPolicy Advisor, Department of the Prime Minister and CabinetMaster of Human Rights
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of LawsHuman rights is a key area humanity needs to grapple with, says Kaden Wilson who is now a policy advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.Human rights is a key area humanity needs to grapple with, says Kaden Wilson who is now a policy advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. To him, AUT is more than a university, says Kaden. After graduating at the end of 2017, Kaden went to New York, working for the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
Jason Jia Wang
Great graduatesJason Jia WangLecturer/Deputy Director of the Business English Major Administration Office, Faculty of Language and Law, Tianjin University Renai College, Tianjin City, ChinaBachelor of ArtsHis biggest achievement is the number of university graduates he trains every year, says AUT alumnus Jason Jia Wang who is now a lecturer in Tianjin, China.His biggest achievement is the number of university graduates he trains every year, says AUT alumnus Jason Jia Wang who is now a lecturer in the Faculty of Language and Law at Tianjin University Renai College in China. Jason initially came to AUT to study business, graduating with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in English and New Media Studies.
Rebekah Guy
Great graduatesRebekah GuyNew Zealand Sign Language InterpreterBachelor of ArtsWhen Rebekah Guy first discovered Sign Language interpreting, it was love at first sight. Now, a Sign Language Interpreter, she loves the variety of her work.When Rebekah Guy first discovered Sign Language interpreting, it was love at first sight. Choosing to study at AUT was a life-changing decision for her. Once she had made the decision, she instantly knew it was the right one. She enjoyed being part of the supportive environment, and loved that the classes were interactive and could be adapted to the needs of Sign Language classes.
Taylor Marston
Great graduatesTaylor MarstonStudent, Kobe University, JapanPostgraduate Certificate in Business Studies
Bachelor of ArtsHe was always drawn to Asian culture, says AUT Bachelor of Arts alumnus Taylor Marston who was twice awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia.He was always drawn to Asian culture, says AUT Bachelor of Arts alumnus Taylor Marston who was twice awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia.

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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