Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts at Campion College is a three-year degree built around the great books and the big questions. You read primary texts in philosophy, literature, history and theology, then discuss them in small tutorials. There are no lectures where you sit and copy slides. You argue, write and defend your reading of Aristotle, Augustine, Dante or Austen. The degree sits on the Australian Qualifications Framework as a bachelor degree, normally three years full time. You take units of study across six semesters, each unit carrying credit points. Core units cover philosophy, literature, history and theology. You also choose electives. In your final year you complete a capstone project or research thesis, which lets you dig into one text or question in depth. Campion College is a small institution, so class sizes stay small and you get to know your lecturers.

What you actually study

Philosophy units cover logic, metaphysics, ethics and political thought. Literature units run from Homer to modern novels. History units look at the ancient world, the medieval period and modernity. Theology units cover scripture, doctrine and church history. You write essays every few weeks. You sit oral examinations where you defend your work. The capstone in third year is a supervised research project. You choose a topic, work with a supervisor, and produce a substantial piece of writing. That project shows employers and graduate schools that you can research, argue and finish something on your own.

How the degree is structured

The degree runs over three years full time. Each year has two semesters. You enrol in units of study each semester, and each unit is worth credit points. To graduate you need to pass the required number of credit points. The core units are compulsory. Electives let you follow an interest in one area, such as philosophy or literature. The final-year capstone or thesis is the main research component. Assessment is mostly essays, exams and oral presentations. There is no professional placement in this degree, because the liberal arts are not a registered profession. Instead, the whole degree is work-integrated in the sense that you practise the writing, speaking and analysis that professional work demands.

Who it suits and where it leads

This degree suits students who like reading and arguing, who want to understand ideas rather than just memorise facts. It suits people who are considering teaching, law, journalism, public policy, ministry or further study in philosophy or theology. It also suits students who want a broad education before deciding on a career. The skills you gain are transferable: close reading, clear writing, logical argument, research and the ability to see an issue from several angles. Australian employers in education, media, government, publishing and non-profits hire liberal arts graduates. The degree also prepares you for graduate study in law, teaching, theology or philosophy. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements for international applicants are IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for this level, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm current details, including fees and English requirements, on the official Campion College page and the CRICOS listing.

• Teacher (with further study), schools, Catholic and independent education systems
• Policy officer, government departments, think tanks, public sector
• Journalist or editor, newspapers, magazines, online media, publishing houses
• Writer or communications officer, non-profits, cultural organisations, corporate communications
• Paralegal or law clerk (with further study in law), law firms, community legal centres
• Researcher, universities, libraries, archives, research institutes
• Ministry or pastoral worker (with theological study), churches, faith-based organisations
• Public servant, Australian Public Service, state government agencies
• Editorial assistant, publishing companies, academic journals