Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Studies)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
View full entry requirements
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
2ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences – Overall Quality of Educational Experience Indicator (Undergraduate). Public universities.
3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings
As a student studying the Cultural Studies major you will explore the complex and diverse economic, cultural, social, historical and political legacies that influence modern-day society.
You will:
You will also graduate with writing, presentation, digital, communication, research and problem-solving skills that can be transferable across a range of roles and are highly regarded by prospective employers. If you finish your degree with a credit or higher-grade point average (GPA) you could also be eligible for the one-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree.
The Cultural Studies major will explore the complex and diverse cultural, social, economic, historical and political legacies and relations of power that influence our everyday lives and the ways we make meaning through our engagement with various texts, objects, routines and practices.
You will:
This degree allows you to select two majors ensuring you graduate with a broad knowledge of two areas of interest. You can choose a second major from the following:
* Please note that this major is only available to students whose second language is English.
In addition to your two majors, you will also be required to complete four courses from a selected list of minors (also from the above list), and two elective courses in an area of your interest.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
This degree increases your employment prospects by enabling you to gain expertise in two different areas of interest. This degree explores the complex and diverse economic, cultural, social, historical and political legacies that influence modern-day society. This is a top ranked degree for student satisfaction – in fact we’re ranked in the top ten in Australia for student satisfaction for Humanities, Culture, and Social Sciences1.
There is also an opportunity to study a portion of your degree overseas, as part of the University’s Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience Program (full semester) or Hawke Professional Experience Program (part semester). As part of this program you will volunteer with an international non-government organisation (NGO), usually in an overseas destination.
You could continue your studies with a Master of Teaching with one major and one minor Learning Area. If this interests you, please read How Do I Become a Teacher before selecting your courses.
1 ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2018-19 – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Postgraduate). Public universities only.
This program helps you develop many transferable skills which are highly regarded by employers including:
The nature of this degree means the employment prospects are broad and diverse. You may choose a career in project management or research working in either the public service sector, all tiers of government or private organisations.
Graduates go on to enjoy rewarding careers in a range of industries, including:
Further career pathways are available depending on your combination of majors.
Applying to study with us:
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
As an arts student, you will have access to:
I am Director of the Bachelor of Arts Programs, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, and Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education Academy, UK.
My academic background is in Languages and Applied Linguistics (BA Hons, PhD), following extensive experience in clinical practice across a range of health and medical domains in Australia. My work places a strong focus on developing reciprocal, trusting relationships in my teaching, mentoring and engagement with students, and in my research in partnership with colleagues, community and industry. My teaching and research inform each other. I coordinate and teach core courses in the Bachelor of Arts, and my research focuses on language and communication in professions and organisations in various contexts. These include state and nationally funded projects in health care, aged care, education, counselling, and policing.
The upshot is that our Bachelor of Arts program develops each student’s interests, strengths and aspirations, enabling each student to explore and prepare for a wide range of career and life goals. The unique double major structure combines theory and practice with real-world experience to develop strong interdisciplinary skills that are highly valued by industry, government and community.
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.