You are here

Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation

Broaden your global perspective. Challenge assumptions. Develop independent judgement.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For Year 12 students, the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation (including single and eligible double degree options) is available through UOW Early Admission. Applicants who are not currently completing Year 12 can apply directly to UOW or through UAC.

International students can apply to study at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in several ways. Your application options will depend on your individual circumstances.

Explore your options at UOW Apply.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent to help you navigate the application process, ensure that you submit all necessary documentation, and provide you with visa counselling services. Applying through an approved UOW agent is offered at no cost to students.

For your nearest agent, please see our UOW agent list.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Year ?
Campus
Wollongong
ATAR-SR ?
85
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration ?
3 years full-time or 6 years part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2026
Codes
CRICOS: 117389B
UOW: 3248

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation is one of the most intellectually ambitious undergraduate degrees in Australia. Built around close reading, seminar dialogue, and direct engagement with canonical works of art, literature, philosophy, politics, and science from diverse Western traditions and beyond, it teaches you how to think — not what to think. In small-group settings, you'll study these works in conversation with others while engaging with questions that continue to resonate today. 
 
Embedded within the degree is the Liberal Arts major, which explores enduring questions about truth, knowledge, virtue, the self and what it means to lead a good life. You'll engage with these questions through discussion and reflection while considering their relevance to contemporary challenges concerning knowledge, judgement, and human agency in a world increasingly shaped by generative AI.
 
This degree cultivates clear thinking and the willingness to revise your views. You'll learn to engage critically with ideas, consider different perspectives, and develop your own reasoned judgements. Rather than telling you what to think, the degree encourages you to think for yourself through serious inquiry and meaningful discussion. The capacity to analyse difficult problems, communicate clearly, exercise judgement and engage seriously with competing perspectives also equips graduates for work across a wide range of professions.

Alongside the Core subjects and the Liberal Arts major, you'll complete a second major of your choice. You can choose from Creative Writing, English Literatures, Global Sustainable Development, History, Indigenous Studies, International Relations, Philosophy, Politics or Sociology, allowing you to connect the degree's central ideas and questions with another area of study that interests you.

Domestic students may be eligible for scholarships worth up to $20,000 per year for three years. See the School of Liberal Arts page for eligibility and further details.

See the course handbook for more information.  

You can also study the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation as a double degree with the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of International Studies or Bachelor of Creative Arts. These pathways allow you to combine the study of Western Civilisation with professional or creative disciplines.

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.

UOW Ramsay Scholarship (domestic students only)
The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation has generously donated funding for up to 30 Scholarships with a value of up to $20,000 per annum for up to three (3) years. Scholarship information will be kept up to date on the School of Liberal Arts page.

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.

See more

Careers

  • Arts Administrator
  • Communications Officer
  • Community Development Officer
  • Diplomatic Service Officer
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Government Graduate
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • International Development Officer
  • Journalist
  • Library Technician
  • Museum or Heritage Officer
  • Parliamentary Advisor
  • Policy Officer
  • Political Staffer
  • Program Coordinator
  • Public Relations Coordinator
  • Publishing Assistant
  • Research Assistant
  • Social Policy Officer
See more

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • Academic Entry Requirements

    Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in Australia.

    To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

  • English Language Requirements

    The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

    English Test

    Overall Score

    Reading

    Writing

    Listening

    Speaking

    IELTS Academic

    8.5

    8.5

    8.5

    8.5

    8.5

    UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 75 in Academic Reading and Writing)
    Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

More detail

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
WollongongOn Campus$17136 (2026)$102816 (2026)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

  • Autumn Session, 2026 at UOW

    Application deadlines:
    Applications for the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation and the associated UOW Ramsay Scholarship are now closed. 

    Session dates:
    For more detailed information, including enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates. 

     Date
    OrientationCheck your campus details
    Session start1 March, 2026
    Census date31 March, 2026
    Mid-session recess19 - 23 April, 2026
    Session end25 June, 2026
  • Autumn Session, 2027 at UOW

    Application Deadline
    Applications must include all required documents to be considered complete. Applications submitted after the advertised closing date will still be accepted. We will endeavour to process late applications in time for the nominated session, however this cannot be guaranteed.

    For information on the UOW Ramsay Scholarship, you can visit the scholarship page.

    ApplicationDate
    Domestic (UAC Early Bird)30 September, 2026
    InternationalSee International students page for key application cut-off dates
    Domestic (direct)31 December, 2026
    Domestic (UAC final round)28 January, 2027

    Session Details:
    For more detailed information, including enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates. 

     Date
    OrientationCheck your campus details
    Session start1 March, 2027
    Census date31 March, 2027
    Mid-session recess19 - 23 April, 2027
    Session end25 June, 2027

    Indicative enrolment

    The tables below contain information on the 2025 commencing student cohort, which indicates the likely profile of students for 2026.

    Student profile

    This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2025.

    Student profile table
    Applicant background 2025 intake 2025 intake (%)
    Higher education study N/P N/P
    Vocational education & training study 0 0%
    Work & life experience <5 <5
    Recent secondary education
    ATAR Only N/A N/A
    ATAR plus additional criteria N/A N/A
    Other criteria only (non-ATAR) 28 61%
    International students 0 0%
    All students 46 100%

    < 5: Number of students is less than 5
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

    ATAR profile

    This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ATAR-based admission.

    ATAR profile table
    ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2025 ATAR Selection Rank
    Highest rank to receive an offer N/A N/A
    Median rank to receive an offer N/A N/A
    Lowest rank to receive an offer N/A N/A

    < 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

    More information

    For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.