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Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation (Liberal Arts)

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.

Applications for both the 2026 Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation, and the associated UOW Ramsay Scholarship have closed.

Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation application will be sent to all applicants in the week of 6 October, 2025.

If you applied for the UOW Ramsay Scholarship, you may be required to sit an interview. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Friday 19 September 2025, and interviews will be held on Saturday 27 September 2025. 

Check the UOW Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation Course and Scholarship page for more information and important dates.

Applications for both the 2026 Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation, and the associated UOW Ramsay Scholarship have closed.

Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation application will be sent to all applicants in the week of 6 October, 2025.

If you applied for the UOW Ramsay Scholarship, you may be required to sit an interview. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Friday 19 September 2025, and interviews will be held on Saturday 27 September 2025. 

Check the UOW Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation Course and Scholarship page for more information and important dates.

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
2026
Campus
ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp
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

At its core, the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation focuses on close reading, peer dialogue, and sustained engagement with great works in small group settings. Students will engage directly with major works of art, literature, philosophy, politics, religion and science, from across the ages studied in live conversation with one another.

The degree embeds a Liberal Arts Major, which centres on perennial questions about truth, knowledge, virtue, the self, and what it means to lead a good life. Class conversations will respond to contemporary challenges such as how to address those questions in a post-truth era shaped by the rise of generative AI.

This degree cultivates clear thinking and the willingness to revise your views. You will learn to argue without evasion, to read without reduction, and to think without outsourcing judgment. You will learn how to think, not what to think. This is a course for the intellectually courageous for those who want to be tested by serious ideas and take part in deep conversations that matter.

You will study:  

  • A Liberal Arts Major focused on close reading, peer discussion and big questions about truth, virtue and the self 
  • A second major of your choice (from available majors, see below)  
  • A core curriculum based on small group study of great works
  • A unique scholarly experience designed to develop intellectual virtues like honesty, humility, and rigour

This degree also offers generous scholarship opportunities valued at up to $20,000 per annum for up to three years. 

See the for more information.  

You can study the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation as a double degree combination with:  

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.

You will choose a second major from the following:  

Major 

Campus Availability 

Creative Writing 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

English Literatures 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

Global Sustainable Development

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

History

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

Indigenous Studies

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

International Relations 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

Philosophy 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

Politics 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

Sociology 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp (On Campus) 

UOW Ramsay Scholarship
The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation has generously donated funding for scholarship opportunities with a value of up to $20,000 per annum for up to three (3) years.

Scholarship recipients will enjoy access to a dedicated study lounge, small class sizes, academic mentoring and an opportunity to engagement in a bespoke scholarly experience.

You are strongly encouraged to apply for this scholarship opportunity if you are a high-achieving student applying to study the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation, and believe you demonstrate the UOW Ramsay Scholar Attributes.

Scholarship – How to apply and Eligibility

Reminder: The Course application and Scholarship application are two separate applications.  

UOW Ramsay Scholarship applicants must complete the , and then secondly complete the .

The scholarship application requires applicants to submit a 1-page CV, as well as a written essay.

See more

Liberal Arts (major)

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.

Studying a major in Liberal Arts will enable you to reflect on the nature of education and expertise, the mind, truth and knowledge, the good life and the virtues, religion, science, and the self. Your studies will raise big philosophical questions and allow you to engage with various and diverse traditions of thought. You will become acquainted with past, present, and contemporary schools of thought. Graduates will be equipped with valuable and in-demand skills in persuasive powers, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and strong communication skills.

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

For admission in 2026, all applicants must apply for this course via the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation’s . Applications are only accepted online and will close at 11.59pm AEST on Monday 8 September 2025.

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

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.

More detail

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµappOn 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. 

    All applicants will be notified of their application outcome during the week of 6 October, 2025. 

    If you applied for the UOW Ramsay Scholarship, you may be invited to attend an interview. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Friday 19 September 2025, with interviews scheduled for Saturday 27 September 2025.

    For full details and key dates, visit the Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation - Course and Scholarship page.

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

     Date
    Orientation
    Session start3 March, 2025
    31 March, 2025
    Mid-session recess21 - 25 April, 2025
    Session end26 June, 2025