At its core, the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation focuses on close reading, peer dialogue, and sustained engagement with great works in small group settings. Students will engage directly with major works of art, literature, philosophy, politics, religion and science, from across the ages – studied in live conversation with one another.
The degree embeds a Liberal Arts Major, which centres on perennial questions about truth, knowledge, virtue, the self, and what it means to lead a good life. Class conversations will respond to contemporary challenges – such as how to address those questions in a post-truth era shaped by the rise of generative AI.
This degree cultivates clear thinking and the willingness to revise your views. You will learn to argue without evasion, to read without reduction, and to think without outsourcing judgment. You will learn how to think, not what to think. This is a course for the intellectually courageous – for those who want to be tested by serious ideas and take part in deep conversations that matter.
You can study the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation as a double degree combination with:
As part of studying the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation, you are required to complete the Liberal Arts major, alongside another major of your choice.
You will choose a second major from the following:
| Major | Campus Availability |
|---|
| Creative Writing | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| English Literatures | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| Global Sustainable Development | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| History | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| Indigenous Studies | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| International Relations | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| Philosophy | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| Politics | Wollongong (On Campus) |
| Sociology | Wollongong (On Campus) |
UOW Ramsay Scholarship
The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation has generously provided funding for scholarships valued at up to $20,000 per year for up to three (3) years.
Applications for the 2027 Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation and the associated UOW Ramsay Scholarship will open on 15 June 2026. More information about the scholarship, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon.
Scholarship recipients will enjoy; access to a dedicated study lounge, small class sizes, academic mentoring and opportunities to engage in a distinctive and enriching scholarly experience
You are strongly encouraged to apply if you are a high-achieving student intending to study the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation and believe you demonstrate the UOW Ramsay Scholar attributes.
UOW Ramsay Scholars are passionate, engaged, and entrepreneurial. They are responsible and collaborative contributors to their communities, creative and critical thinkers who challenge boundaries, and confident participants in discussion and debate. They demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, humility, and a commitment to empowering others. Ramsay Scholars exemplify UOW graduates as intellectually fearless, socially connected, and future-focused leaders.
