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Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation (Honours) (Global Sustainable Development)

Broaden your global perspective. Become a socially responsible leader. Engage with influential works.

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.

The Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation requires a written application. Applications can be submitted via the application portal during the designated period, usually June - August each year.

You must upload an essay response with your application for it to be considered complete. Once assessed, eligible applicants will be invited to take part in a telephone interview with UOW. Please refer to the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation’s Course & Scholarships page for further instructions including application essay topics, submission deadlines and more information.

If you’re planning to study at UOW immediately after finishing your HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent, you can apply for Early Admission to this course. Applications can be submitted via the UOW Early Admission website during the designated period, usually June – August each year.

Connect with a UOW representative to explore your course options, confirm eligibility, navigate the application process, and get answers to your questions.

If you’re applying from outside Australia, contact a UOW international representative or agent, as you may not be able to apply directly. Refer to our International Students page for more information and to find the agent closest to you.

The Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation requires a written application. Applications can be submitted via the application portal during the designated period, usually June - August each year.

You must upload an essay response with your application for it to be considered complete. Once assessed, eligible applicants will be invited to take part in a telephone interview with UOW. Please refer to the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation’s Course & Scholarships page for further instructions including application essay topics, submission deadlines and more information.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

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

Student ?
Domestic
Campus
Wollongong
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Spring 2025
  • Autumn 2024
  • Spring 2024
Code
UOW: 3020

Overview

Acting as both a bridge to advanced research and an in-depth project, honours is an optional year that follows the successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree.

While your Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation degree introduced you to will expose you to ideas that have been inspiring people since their inception, an honours project provides you with the opportunity to focus your interest on a topic of choice, exploring it in greater depth and detail to find answers. Honours project topics are various and negotiable, and you?ll be encouraged and supported to pursue your specific interests.

Whatever topic you choose, prospective employers will value your ability to achieve a complex goal, meet deadlines, investigate independently, use resources effectively and write coherently. The Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation (Honours) consists of 50% coursework and 50% research work. The research component of this degree takes the form of a 15,000-word research thesis completed under the supervision of an academic employed in the School of Liberal Arts.

Studying honours is about:

  • Learning research and navigation skills across a variety of information systems (archives, the library, databases, electronic research networks)
  • Articulating complex ideas orally and in writing
  • Working closely with a supervisor on a project with firm deadlines
  • Devising, researching and writing an individual topic of study, with an extended argument or thesis
See more

Global Sustainable Development (major)

A major in global sustainable development explores ethical issues surrounding global challenges and the interaction between human and environmental security. With 2.4 billion people on the planet living on less than US$2 a day, poverty and inequality remain two of the biggest challenges of our time. Equally, environmental change is a major concern that will affect human activity for the foreseeable future.

Core subjects will teach you the key theories, approaches and practices for promoting human development for the future. You can elect to do subjects that specialise in environmental issues from a range of different disciplinary perspectives, or you can focus on issues of development from economic, social and political perspectives.

Careers

  • Archiving and Librarianship
  • Art & Design
  • Arts
  • Business Development & Administration
  • Community & Social Services
  • Consultancy
  • Diplomacy
  • Education
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Government Policy
  • Healthcare Policy & Management
  • Heritage Specialist
  • Historian
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology & Design
  • Journalism
  • Social Policy
  • Translation & Interpreting
  • Legal Work
  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Media & Publishing
  • Politics
  • Production and Management
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Writing
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.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    UOW's Woolyungah Indigenous Centre's Indigenous Admissions Program (IAP) offers an alternative pathway for Indigenous Australians aged 17 and over who are seeking entry into an undergraduate course at UOW. Upon completing the IAP, applicants will be considered for admission based on an interview and assessment of both academic and non-academic qualities. For further details, including the application process, please contact Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

  • Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

    If you have completed or partially completed studies at an approved university or tertiary institution, you may be eligible for entry to UOW. You'll need to provide academic records, and your course must be at least one-sixth complete. Non-English documents must include an official English translation. For more information, contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • English language proficiency

    All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.

    Accepted international test results include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and OET for specific health-related courses.

    Alternatively, you can fulfill the requirement by completing an English course at UOW College.

  • Workload
    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    Part-Time Study Load

    For part-time students, study hours will vary based on the number of units taken, with similar expectations for class and independent study.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available. For eligible domestic students, Australian government funding will contribute towards your tuition fees. The remaining proportion, known as a student contribution, will depend on when you begin study (enrolment year) and study area. Read more domestic student fees and CSPs.