• Critically analyse and evaluate information whilst being informed by Christian belief, ethical practice, and proficiency in research methods.
• Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and skills specific to the creative and professional practice in one or more Arts disciplines.
• Apply an informed knowledge of cultural diversity that is necessary for respectful engagement with local, national, international, and professional communities.
• Implement a philosophy of service in both professional and personal spheres.
• Demonstrate proficiency in communication in the areas of problem solving and creative endeavour.
• Apply professional readiness and resilience in one or more Arts disciplines including the ability to distinguish best practice.
• Practice effective workplace and community collaboration and leadership.

There are many options for satisfying the entry requirements for our courses. An applicant needs to meet at least one of the following entry requirements to be given an offer to study at Avondale.

I have completed my secondary education in Australia or New Zealand and achieved:

• a selection rank of at least 60. A selection rank is calculated as the ATAR plus any adjustment factors that may be applicable; or
• a minimum of 24 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; or
• New Zealand Year 13 NCEA Level 3 results, identifying university entrance attainment; or
• appropriate scores in Avondale University-approved entrance exams; or
• the International Big Picture Learning Credential.

*Applicants must not be a current year 12 (or equivalent) student and must be 18 years or older at the time of commencing their course.

I have completed a Vocational education and training (VET) course in Australia or New Zealand and achieved:

• an Australian Certificate III, or
• an equivalent New Zealand certificate, as approved by the Director, Student Administration Services.

I have already attended university in Australia or New Zealand and:

• successfully completed at least 2 units of a Bachelor’s degree or
• completed a bridging or enabling course, or another recognised tertiary preparation course; or
• successfully completed at least three units of Avondale’s Undergraduate Certificate in University Preparation.

I have completed my secondary education or higher education qualification overseas:

• refer to the Admission Policy (HE) for specific information regarding both the minimum academic entry standards (Appendix 1) and the English language proficiency requirements (Appendix 2).

I have other work and life experience:

If a Senior Secondary Certificate has not been completed, an eligible applicant may sit Avondale University-approved entrance exams.

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or work and life experience as assessed by the Course Convenor or delegate and/or the DVC Academic.

This course has additional entry requirements which are listed below.

Mathematics (Major/Minor)

• Recent secondary Mathematics Extension 1 (or equivalent); or
• Approval by the Course Convenor.

Music (Specialisation/Major/Minor)

Admission to the Avondale Conservatorium is by audition. Applicants must meet the following minimum standards:

• Performance: AMEB Grade 6 (or equivalent) on instrument or voice; and
• Musicianship & Theory: AMEB Grade 4 minimum (or equivalent).

Where an applicant does not meet the required minimum standard, admission is possible with other appropriate music experience upon approval from the Director of Music, Avondale Conservatorium.

For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link on our Music page.

To arrange an audition, email the Director of Music at conservatorium@avondale.edu.au.

International Students

Who are on a student visa:

This course is available to international students who meet the Australian government requirements for a student visa (subclass 500) to reside in Australia for the duration of the course.
* These students must study on campus in full-time mode to meet student visa requirements.
* International students in Australia on a student visa cannot enrol in this course by distance mode.
For information regarding visas refer to: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500.

Who do not require a visa:

This course is not available online for international students who want to study from their home country.

Who are on a visa other than a student visa:

International students on a visa other than a student visa with no study limitations, may choose to study full-time or part-time in any study mode.
(Students are considered a domestic student if they hold a permanent residency visa.)

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
2. one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE).

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) consists of 24 units and requires 144 credit points (CPs) for completion. All units have a 6 CP value unless otherwise stated.

About this course:

• This course is studied over 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.
• Units can be studied either on campus or online although some units may not be available in both study modes.
• Some units may only be available in alternate years.
• Consultation with the Course and/or Strand Convenor when determining units to be undertaken, including availability, and order of enrolment, is highly recommended.

Course Overview

The 24 units required to complete this course include:

• 4 Core Units (see list below)
• 16 Discipline Units (These include your combination of Specialisation, Major, or Minor units).
• 4 Elective Units (See the guidelines for electives in the Elective Units section below).

Core Units

All students complete 4 core units as listed below:

*Students doing a Chaplaincy Major must choose this unit.

Discipline Units

Students will select their discipline/s from the table below, and the amount of study they will attribute to each one, opting for a Specialisation, Major, or Minor. A Specialisation consists of 12 units, a Major consists of 8 units, and a Minor consists of 4 units. Students must select 1 of the following discipline combinations to complete 16 discipline units:

• 1 Major plus 2 Minors (8 + 4 + 4 units)
• 2 Majors (8 + 8 units)
• 1 Specialisation plus 1 Minor (12 + 4 units)

A sample of how each of these options might look in a 3-year study program can be found after the Specialisation, Major and Minor Unit Lists outlined below. Shaded areas indicate the availability of a Specialisation (SP), Major (MJ) or Minor (MN) in each study area.

*Students seeking to work as a professional Counsellor or Psychologist are strongly advised to enrol in the Bachelor of Arts (Counselling) and to consult with the relevant Course Convenor about their options and pathways. Completing a major or minor in these study areas in the BA does NOT qualify graduates for employment or registration as a professional Counsellor or Psychologist.

**Can only be done via Advanced Standing for students transferring from teaching degrees.

Students wishing to be chaplains in Adventist schools must take ‘Religious Studies for Chaplains’ alongside their Chaplaincy Major.

Electives

• Elective units can be taken at any level with due consideration of unit pre-requisite requirements.
• If all electives are taken in one study area, an additional minor can be achieved if completed according to the tables provided below.
• If all electives are taken in the same study area as the minor, a major can be achieved if completed according to the tables provided.
• Electives in the BA can be taken from any of the below disciplines, with exceptions approved by the Course Convenor:
  • ARTS coded units
  • BBUS coded units
  • Accounting
  • Communications
  • Chaplaincy
  • Counselling
  • English
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Geography
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • Marketing
  • Music
  • Religious Studies
  • Textiles
  • Visual Arts

Cross-institutional Study

In some disciplines, selected units are studied online through other universities such as University of New England and University of Newcastle. Cross-institutional units are highlighted in the unit lists below where applicable.

Study Area Specialisation, Major and Minor Unit Lists

Variations of the study area unit lists may be approved by the Course or Strand Convenor.

Accounting Minor (Choose 4 units)

*Some units may need the permission from the Course Convenor

Ancient History Minor (4 units)

Asian Studies Minor (4 units)

*Students attempting these units must have achieved the Level 1 equivalent before attempting the Level 2 unit in the same language.

Biology Minor (4 units)

Business Administration Major

Business Administration Minor (4 units)

Chaplaincy Major (8 units)

Chaplaincy Minor (4 units)

Chemistry Minor (4 units)

Communication Major (Choose 8 units)

Communication Minor

Counselling Major (8 units)

Counselling Minor (4 units)

Design and Technologies Minor (4 Units) (with approval from the Course Convenor)

Education Major (Choose 8 units)

(including no more than 4 units with unit code EDUC351xxx Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies)

Note:

The Education Major is only available via Advanced Standing for students transferring from an Education degree.

The Education Major gives students a foundational understanding of the diverse needs of developing learners in a Christian context and an educational framework to support quality learning. The BA does not qualify graduates to become a teacher. Students wishing to become a teacher as an outcome of their first degree should instead enrol in an undergraduate teaching course. However, advanced standing into the Master of Teaching (Secondary) is available should teaching be a desired goal on completion of the BA.

Education Minor (Choose 4 units)

Note:

The Education Minor provides a basic understanding of the educational context and environment. The BA does not qualify graduates to become a teacher. Students wishing to become a teacher as an outcome of their first degree should instead enrol in an undergraduate teaching course. However, advanced standing into the Master of Teaching (Primary) or (Secondary) is available should teaching be a desired goal on completion of the BA.

English Major (Choose 8 units)

English Minor (4 units)

Entrepreneurship Minor

Food and Nutrition Major (8 Units)

*Cross-institutional units must be approved by the Course Convenor.

Examples of suitable cross-institutional units are:

Food and Nutrition Minor (4 units)

Geography Minor (4 units)

Health & Physical Education Major (Choose 8 units)

(Must include 2 units at the 300 level)

Note:

The Health and Physical Education Major is only available via Advanced Standing for students transferring from an Education degree.

*These units will only be available to students transferring from an Education degree that has included a practicum.

** Outdoor Education units can be used towards the Health & PE Major or Minor.

Health & Physical Education Minor (Choose 4 units)

(Must include 2 units at the 200 level)

*These units will only be available to students transferring from an Education degree that has included a practicum.

** Outdoor Education units can be used towards the Health & PE major or minor.

Human Resource Management Minor (4 units)

Marketing Major (8 units)

Marketing Minor (Choose 4 units)

Mathematics Minor (4 units)

*300 level units available within this minor can be taken on approval from the Course Convenor.

Modern History Major (8 units)

Modern History Minor (4 units)

Music Specialisation (12 units)

Music Major (8 units)

Music Minor (4 units)

Outdoor Education Minor (4 units)

*Requirements can also be satisfied (via advanced standing) by the completion of a Diploma of Outdoor Leadership.

Religious Studies Major (8 units)

Religious Studies Minor (4 units)

Religious Studies for Chaplains Major (8 units)

Textiles Minor (4 units)

Visual Arts Major (8 units)

Visual Arts Minor (4 units)

Other units available with Course Convenor approval:

Note:

*Arts Professional Placement open to students who have completed 96 credit points (final year or part-time equivalent), subject to Strand Convenor approval and availability of placement. Eligible Majors for this unit include English, Modern History, Music and Visual Arts.

**Professional Internship can be undertaken as part of a Major (but not Minor) for students studying Communications, English, History, Geography, Music, Visual Arts, and Religious Studies subject to Strand Convenor approval and availability of Internship.

Program Grids

The following grids provide a sample full-time program for each of the study area options.

The numbers 100, 200, 300 in the grids align to the unit level and these should be in sequence in the program as far as possible.

Grid 1 ~ Major plus two Minors

Minors are identified as Minor A and Minor B with the recommended unit level identified.

Grid 2 ~ Two Majors

The two majors are identified as Major A and Major B with the recommended unit level identified.

Grid 3 ~ Specialisation plus Minor

Specialisation and minor units are listed with the recommended unit level identified.

A form of Work Integrated Learning is incorporated in some Chaplaincy (CHPL) coded units. Further, the Communications Major involves workplace experience in the form of a Professional Internship in the final year of the degree. Students undertaking Majors in English, History, Music, and Visual Arts also have the option to take a placement unit if approved by their Strand Convenor. For more information, contact the Course Convenor.