Define your own path at the Faculty of Arts
No. 1 university in Australia
One of the oldest Arts faculties in Australia, we consistently rank #1 in the country for languages, literature and linguistics, media and communication, and politics and international studies.
World-leading academics
No matter your discipline, you’ll learn from scholars who are at the top of their fields and ready to guide you through your studies.
Unique professional opportunities
From archaeological digs to internships with leading arts organisations, you’ll make the most of our connections with 200 partner institutions across the world.
Our courses
Our courses offer the flexibility you need to go in the direction that’s best for you.
-
Bachelor of Arts
With the freedom to try subjects that genuinely interest you, the Bachelor of Arts teaches you the critical and creative skills needed to succeed in whatever career you choose.
-
Graduate programs
Whether you want to build a solid foundation for further studies with a Graduate Diploma, or are ready tackle contemporary leadership challenges with the Executive Master of Arts, our graduate coursework and research options will help you make a valuable contribution to the world.
-
Professional development
Drawing on its extensive networks and industry expertise, diverse disciplines and research culture, the Faculty of Arts offers a range of Professional, Executive and Community Education Programs to our partners.
Information for applicants
-
How to apply
Here you'll find information on how to apply for Melbourne degrees and scholarships, understand your fees, receive your offer, enrol as a student, and get ready for your first day of study.
-
Graduate coursework
Learn about Graduate Access Melbourne and frequently asked questions for graduate coursework applicants.
-
Graduate research
How to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (PhD) or a Masters by research
-
Scholarships
The Faculty of Arts offers a unique range of scholarships to provide scholars with opportunities for development and research in the humanities, social sciences and languages.
Discover our disciplines
Explore a wide range of disciplines through the Faculty of Arts. Get to know the teachers you’ll learn from and hear from our current students.
-
Anthropology and Development Studies
Our programs investigate the diverse ways that people today interact, organise and find meaning in their lives. We analyse the processes of social, economic, political and cultural change that underlie poverty, inequality and insecurity in the contemporary world.
-
Arabic Studies
Arabic is the fifth most commonly spoken native language in the world, with about 230 million people speaking it as their first language. Arabic studies students at the Asia Institute will learn not only about reading, writing and speaking in Arabic, but also living and interacting in the ‘Arab way’.
-
Art History and Art Curatorship
The Art History and Art Curatorship program researches and develops knowledge in the history art. Evidence-based critical thinking and visual and aesthetic literacy prepares students for a richer engagement with the world.
-
Arts and Cultural Management
The Arts and Cultural Management program explores the tension between culture as an economic activity and culture as symbolic expression through four key themes – organisations, governance, identity and labour.
-
Asian Studies
The countries of Asia are Australia’s largest trading partners and are of vital importance to Australia’s economic growth and security. For Australians, Asia increasingly defines who we are and our place in the world.
-
Chinese Studies
China is a ‘rising power’ in the Western Pacific region whose future importance for Australia is hard to over-estimate. China’s current levels of investment in research and development and in the tertiary sector indicate that China is poised to make a very rapid transition to a ‘knowledge economy’.
-
Classics and Archaeology
Classics and Archaeology is a leading program internationally for the study of the ancient world. It is home to cutting-edge research and field study undertaken by its staff, researchers and fellows
-
Creative Writing
Creative Writing is a medium used to communicate, resist, provoke and seek or find understanding. Our research investigates the artistic, historical, cultural and societal impacts of the written word.
-
Criminology
Criminology is the critical examination of crime and justice policy and practice. Criminology at Melbourne seeks to understand how society constructs and responds to crime.
-
English and Theatre Studies
English and Theatre Studies is a combined program that focuses on the form, meanings and effects of imaginative writing and dramatic performance, and explains how these practices engage with the everyday world.
-
French Studies
One of the first subjects taught at the University of Melbourne, our French program offers world-class research and teaching in French language and literature studies.
-
Gender Studies
Our program explores the significance of gender and sexuality on a range of discourses embedded within culture, identity and global history.
-
History
Established in 1854, the History program at the University of Melbourne is one of the most distinguished and longest running in Australia.
-
History and Philosophy of Science
The History and Philosophy of Science program began in 1946 at the University of Melbourne as one of the first departments of its kind in the world.
-
Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers teaching and learning, and research activities that critically engage with the history, knowledge and cultures of Indigenous peoples both in Australia and globally.
-
Indonesian language and studies
Indonesia’s geographic proximity and strategic importance to Australia make it vital to understand its peoples, politics, history, languages and cultures.
-
Italian Studies
Among the leading programs of its kind in Australia, Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne is also one of the longest running.
-
Islamic Studies
The Islamic studies program at the University of Melbourne provides students with the opportunity to study the development of Islamic thought and Muslim societies from a broad multidisciplinary perspective.
-
Japanese language and studies
The study of Japanese language and culture offers the individual new insights into a deep and diverse culture, and also provides important contrasts when considering the role of various nations in the Asia Pacific region.
-
Journalism
Our program is focused on preparing graduates for careers in rapidly changing media landscapes. We offer practice-based courses enabling our students to learn many journalistic skills by doing journalism, at a high standard, for real audiences.
-
Korean Studies
Studying the Korean language as well as its contemporary history, politics, security, economy and society provides students with a deeper understanding of the issues pertaining to the Korean peninsula and its neighbours.
-
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Our Linguistics and Applied Linguistics program is #2 in Australia and #25 in the world (QS rankings 2021).
-
Media and Communications
Our program conducts cutting-edge research to understand how the flow of data, ideas, personal stories, and formats have shaped our culture and society.
-
Philosophy
Established in 1853, the Philosophy program has fostered generations of outstanding students and researchers.
-
Political Science
We are one of the top-ranked programs for the study of political science and international relations in the region with a reputation for excellence in research and teaching.
-
Publishing and Communications
The Publishing and Communications program researches current issues in the publishing industry and educates the publishers and editors of tomorrow.
-
Russian Studies
Part of Australia’s #1 University for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021), we offer a full graduate (Masters and PhD) and undergraduate (Major) program in Russian Studies
-
Screen and Cultural Studies
Our program examines the history and practice of contemporary culture and screen media. Our research looks at the production, aesthetics, circulation, consumption and uses of screen media and cultures.
-
Sociology
Our program investigates the complexity and breadth of living in today’s societies, challenging expectations and assumptions about what it means to live with others.
-
Spanish and Latin American Studies
Our program offers opportunities to study and undertake independent research projects with innovative scholars working in areas such as Hispanic food studies, Spanish and Latin American cinema, Latin American popular culture studies, and research with Indigenous and Afro-Latin communities.
-
German Studies
German Studies has a strong reputation in both teaching and research, and an impressive publishing record over a broad range of topics.
-
The Program in Jewish Culture and Society
The Jewish and Hebrew Studies program has gained national and international recognition for scholarly excellence, educational initiatives and cultural outreach.
Student life at Arts
Find your people on campus. Join clubs and study groups with like-minded students and make use of the University’s historic libraries and the Arts West Building’s expansive cultural collection.