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

Skills you will develop

The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Arts are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.

Graduate Profile

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:
1 Mar 2021
12 Jul 2021
The NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting major only starts in February.
Fees:
Domestic
$6,311 - $7,087
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. 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 2021, 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
$30,092 ($7,606 Māori Development only)
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. 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 2021, 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

Hayley Burrows
Jazz Robson
Jason Jia Wang
Angie Sun
Jess Willis
Hayley Burrows
Great graduatesHayley BurrowsAccount Director, SocialitesPostgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies
Bachelor of ArtsWhen she visited the City Campus she knew AUT was the university for her, says Hayley Burrows who studied a Bachelor of Arts in English and New Media Studies.As soon as she visited the AUT City Campus she knew AUT was the university for her, says Hayley Burrows who studied a Bachelor of Arts in English and New Media Studies. Now working as an account director for award-winning social media agency Socialites, Hayley loves the variety of her role.
Jazz Robson
Great graduatesJazz RobsonDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Arts
Bachelor of ArtsShe is passionate about championing children’s rights, says Jazz Robson who is currently completing a PhD focused on participation rights of young people.She is passionate about championing children’s rights, says Jazz Robson who is currently completing a PhD focused on participation rights of young people. She has always been interested in society and people, says Jazz who has already completed a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social sciences and public policy at AUT.
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 now teaches in 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 in 2009, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in English and New Media Studies in 2011.
Angie Sun
Great graduatesAngie SunBachelor of ArtsThere has been conflict throughout history, whether between nations or on a personal level, says Angie Sun who studied a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution.There has been conflict all throughout history, whether between nations or on a personal level, says Angie Sun who studied a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution with a minor in social sciences. As a resolution coordinator for FairWay Resolution, Angie helps families through the mediation process. She says she credits her time at AUT for helping her find such a rewarding career path.
Jess Willis
Great graduatesJess WillisFreelance Marketing Manager, LondonBachelor of ArtsThe international opportunities were the highlights of her time at AUT, says Bachelor of Arts in Event Management alumna Jess Willis who now lives in London.The international opportunities were the highlights of her time at AUT, says Bachelor of Arts in Event Management alumna Jess Willis who now lives and works in London. She has always been passionate about events, says Jess Willis who combined studying event management with minors in marketing and public relations.

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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