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
  • (Spoken language) Interpreting and Translation majors: High level of competency in English and one other language. (NZSL and English Interpreting major: NZSL fluency is not required)

Selection criteria

  • Interpreting and Translation majors: Applicants will complete an interview, listening test and writing test to assess their competency in both languages

Preferred New Zealand school subjects

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

English language requirements

  • Interpreting and Translation 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.

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Consider starting with:

City Campus majors

Hospitality, Tourism and Events

Language and Culture

Māori and Indigenous Development (Te Ara Poutama)

Social Sciences and Public Policy

North Campus & South Campus majors

Education

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 / North Campus / South Campus
Starts:

16 Jul 2018

25 Feb 2019

15 Jul 2019

Fees:
Tuition and other fees
  • The tuition fee for a year of full-time study varies depending on your course of study and the combination of papers you study within your qualification. Estimates given are based on paper selection of previous student enrolments within each qualification. Your exact fees will be calculated at the time of invoicing.
  • The tuition fee for a year of full-time study varies depending on your course of study and the combination of papers you study within your qualification. Estimates given are based on paper selection of previous student enrolments within each qualification. Your exact fees will be calculated at the time of invoicing.
Letitia Taikato
Hera Foley
Sheetal Naidu
Rebekah Guy
Joel Harman
Letitia Taikato
Great graduatesLetitia TaikatoBachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)An honours degree is a great bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate study, says Letitia Taikato who is researching aspects of Māori in prison.An honours degree is a great bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate study, says Letitia Taikato who is researching aspects of Māori in prison.
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.
Sheetal Naidu
Great graduatesSheetal NaiduBachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)Sheetal Naidu’s research is addressing the issue of domestic violence within immigrant communities, especially the impact of culture and minority status.Sheetal Naidu’s research addressed the issue of domestic violence within New Zealand’s immigrant communities. Having been a migrant herself, Sheetal knows that immigrant women often feel they have no voice in social issues that might affect them in their new country. Sheetal says the learning environment at AUT has fostered her academic growth.
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.
Joel Harman
Great graduatesJoel HarmanIntelligence Analyst, Inland RevenueBachelor of ArtsNow working as an intelligence analyst, AUT criminology alumnus Joel Harman has always been interested in why people commit crime and what factors lead to it.Joel Harman is a real-life crime fighter. He had always been interested in why people commit crime and the factors that lead to it. After studying a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, the AUT alumnus now works as an intelligence analyst for Inland Revenue. Gaining practical experience while studying was invaluable, says Joel who got a job offer after completing his workplace experience.

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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