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:

24 Feb 2020

13 Jul 2020

The NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting major only starts in February.
Fees:
Domestic
$6,120 - $6,873
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2019. 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 2019, 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
$28,365 ($7,239.25 Māori Development only)
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2019. The exact fees will depend on papers selected and may vary from the figure stated.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year, if you are planning for beyond 2019 the fee may vary from the figure 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

Nick Jones
Hera Foley
Rebekah Guy
Georgia Drew
Kaden Wilson
Nick Jones
Great graduatesNick Jones Freelance Narrative Designer / Teaching Assistant, AUTMaster of English and New Media Studies
Bachelor of ArtsIf you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, entertainment and linguistics, English and new media studies is a great choice, says Nick Jones.If you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, entertainment and linguistics, English and new media studies is a great choice, says Nick Jones. The interactive learning environment has been one of the highlights of his studies. For his master’s degree, he researched non-linear storytelling and storytelling in relation to virtual reality. He loved that he could apply the findings from his research to his work as a narrative designer.
Hera Foley
Great graduatesHera FoleyBachelor of Arts
Certificate in Social SciencesShe dreams of a career in forensics, says criminology student Hera Foley. Completing the Certificate in Social Sciences was the first step towards this goal.She dreams of a career in forensics, says Hera Foley who is studying a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. When she completes her Bachelor of Arts, she would like to work for the police for a few years and then complete postgraduate study in forensics. Her ultimate career would be forensics print analysis, Hera says.
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.
Georgia Drew
Great graduatesGeorgia DrewMarketing and Events Associate, Collective[i]Bachelor of ArtsHer passion for managing events started in secondary school, says AUT event management alumna Georgia Drew who now interns at New York’s PUBLIC Restaurant.Her passion for planning and managing events started in secondary school, says AUT event management alumna Georgia Drew. It started with planning parties in high school, and she soon decided to pursue event management as a career. Her workplace experience in the final year at AUT was a highlight of her studies, and she loved working on the biggest music festival in New Zealand, Rhythm & Vines.
Kaden Wilson
Great graduatesKaden WilsonPolicy Analyst, Te Puni KōkiriMaster of Human Rights
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of LawsHuman rights is a key area humanity needs to grapple with, says Kaden Wilson who now works for Te Puni Kōkiri.Human rights is a key area humanity needs to grapple with going forward, says Kaden Wilson. For him, human rights is where law and humanities meet. The Master of Human Rights enabled him to use to his skillset in law and arts to challenge himself in diverse and unique ways. The people are what make the programme, he says.

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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