Study at the #1 uni in QLD for full-time employment*
Looking for a degree with flexibility and purpose?
Today’s employers are looking for people with skills to analyse contemporary issues and raise important questions. Develop the critical thinking skills necessary to understand society, help facilitate change and bring fresh perspectives to your future career.
Understand human behaviour and knowledge, the complexities of societies and the connections between people, places and politics. Tailor your studies around your choice of majors to develop in-depth knowledge and expertise in a range of social and cultural contexts.
* 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences
in Australia for Social Impact1
in the world for Life Sciences2
for learning resources3
1. 2024 QS Sustainability Rankings | 2. 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings | 3. 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences
Go beyond a single field — your advanced critical thinking and transferable skills are valuable in every workplace.
Our small class sizes provide students with access to lecturers who genuinely care about their progress and their studies.
Expand employability opportunities. JCU students gain valuable communication and creative thinking skills, applicable to various career pathways.
Examine social and cultural differences to understand how people’s beliefs fit into a wider social, political, and economic context, using research, observation and human engagement.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
You will develop the knowledge and skills to work with diverse cultural and social groups in Australia, the Asia-Pacific and across the globe.
Develop skills that are critical in decision-making for governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organisations. Combine your Anthropology major with a second major to complement your studies or broaden your area of expertise.
Learn more about Anthropology here.
Anthropology graduates can pursue careers in research, government administration, NGO and corporate workplaces. Your work could involve crafting policy, developing aid or conservation programs, interpreting historical documents, recording personal experiences, analysing statistical data and everything in between.
Seeking to understand the patterns of human actions and ideas is what drives anthropologists to explore cultures and social issues, contribute to policy development, create social programs and interpret consumer behaviour.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help.
Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Unearth human history to understand our biological evolution from tropical Africa to more recent cultural diversity among civilisations, societies and peoples across the globe.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
You will learn the fundamentals of archaeology, then expand on this knowledge with more specialised offerings in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, modern Australian history, European archaeology, Asian archaeology, maritime and coastal archaeology.
Learn about the science of field work and what happens in the archaeological laboratory, and make the most of the opportunity to participate in field trips in Australia and overseas. Add a second major to your Archaeology studies to broaden your knowledge and expertise.
Learn more about Archaeology here.
Archaeology work can vary significantly between job roles, from excavating artefacts from deep underground to exploring shipwrecks on the ocean floor. Your focus could be on the ancient past, studying the rise and fall of civilisations, or on more contemporary contexts and preserving history.
Many roles require a blend of practical work and academic research, in fields including Indigenous, historical or maritime archaeology. You could find opportunities preserving cultural heritage, in roles with archaeological consulting firms, mining and resources companies, government groups or land councils.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Learn what motivates people to commit crimes and explore strategies to prevent law-breaking and rehabilitate offenders.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Criminology students focus on the complex causes and consequences of crime, along with crime prevention and systems of social control, theories of criminal justice and the rehabilitation of offenders.
You’ll draw on skills and methodologies from disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, politics and international relations, and sociology to examine the ethical and political impacts of crime issues. Combine your Criminology major with a second major, to complement your studies or broaden your area of expertise.
Learn more about Criminology here.
Roles requiring criminology expertise could focus on any part of the criminal justice spectrum, from critically analysing real-world crimes to law enforcement, corrective services, youth justice, social policy development and criminal justice research.
Other areas of specialisation include cyber or digital crime, corporate misconduct and other white-collar crimes. Your work may involve collaborating with social workers, psychologists and lawyers.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Examine a wide range of literary periods and genres to build critical communication and reasoning skills and develop your understanding of the English language.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
The study of English considers how words and texts can be used to create meaning. Popular areas of literary analysis include feminist readings, post-colonialist readings, queer readings and many others. Your studies may also include creative writing, reflecting on texts, developing your own writing skills and creating your own stories.
Add to your knowledge of writing and storytelling as you study historical and contemporary literature, Australian literature, children’s literature, world literature, Gothic literature, screen media, creative writing and more. Choose a Bachelor of Arts (English) as your first area of study, your second major, or add any English and Writing subject to your chosen degree.
Learn more about English here.
English majors support careers in education, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), publishing, and creative industries. Alternatively, many English students choose to pursue academic research, focusing on a particular author or genre to analyse their influence and ongoing impact. You may find work as an author, editor or copywriter, producing books or collected works, educational content, business communications, or in the public sector.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help.
Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Analyse major historical events in a global context and investigate how political, economic and environmental events shaped different communities.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
History students examine artefacts and texts to engage with ideas about the past. They look beyond the surface and explore deeper into past events and times in order to interpret them as authentically as possible.
You’ll develop an understanding of humanity by examining societies and cultures in Australia’s history, particularly in North Queensland. With strong skills in critical thinking and communication, you can explore the rise and fall of societies and determine their successes and challenges. Complement your History major with a second major to broaden your expertise.
Learn more about History here.
Historians play a vital role in sharing knowledge with the general public through museums and galleries, helping to examine and preserve historical artefacts from all over the world.
There are also roles for historians within academia, looking for answers to society’s biggest questions about itself. This involves working within teams to research, interview experts and communicate findings in reports, journals and other publications. History graduates are involved in local, national, and international studies in fields as diverse as law, commerce, arts, communications and health.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Explore the interrelationship between humans and our natural and built environments and propose solutions to large scale social and environmental problems.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Develop specialist skills including urban planning and design, regional sustainability and social and environmental impact assessment. While the physical environment is a core focus, human geography also considers social, economic and political environments and how these holistically contribute to the way humans engage with the world around them.
You’ll become proficient in identifying problems, evaluating explanations, analysing data, and relevant computing techniques. Consider how patterns of behaviour can be adapted to ensure a more sustainable, environmentally positive lifestyle.
Learn more about Human Geography here.
You may find roles in government departments, working to assess and respond to natural hazards including floods, fires, cyclones and storms. Your knowledge of natural environments could help prevent damage to human lives and property, and the plans you generate could help regions bounce back sooner.
You could also pursue roles in urban planning, tracking how individuals and groups engage with environments to design effective and environmentally positive communities. This could involve developing community outreach programs or other solutions to improve the health and lifestyle of people across the country.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Forge a career that is deeply connected to community through networks of agencies to support the vast array of human need in society.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Develop the skills to work with marginalised and vulnerable people facing challenges including poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and mental health.
You’ll study social policy, community work, organisational practice, professional ethics, learn about human rights and social justice issues in Australia and how to work appropriately with culturally diverse groups. Students studying this course will benefit from JCU’s working relationships with government agencies and local community groups. Extend your skillset further with a second major to complement your Human Services expertise.
Learn more about Human Services here.
Human services workers are committed to improving the quality of life within their community. As a case worker, you will assess your clients’ daily support needs, help them access programs, talk with their medical team or offer one-on-one support.
In crisis support, your responsiveness and decision-making skills will be crucial to assisting those in need of housing, money or support. You’ll work in tandem with other service providers to help people get back to living independently.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help.
Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Explore the complex relationship between Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the knowledge, perspectives and the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Indigenous Studies focuses on the continuity of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, knowledge, and customs through time and space. Expand your understanding of the complex interface between Indigenous and Western knowledge, perspectives and practices in Australia today.
Explore Indigenous knowledge and traditions and Indigenous participation in modern society. Learn about the connections, experiences and knowledge that shape Indigenous people, communities, and ideas.
Learn more about Indigenous Studies here.
You may find roles liaising with Indigenous communities, providing programs to improve health, education or social wellbeing outcomes.
Your understanding of historical and current Indigenous issues, and respect for Indigenous peoples’ diverse knowledge and cultural history, could see you advising employees on intercultural understanding. You could also consult with businesses about respectful practices around culturally significant Indigenous sites.
This major is taught through the Indigenous Education Research Centre.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Discover how your ideas can influence policy, economics and societal outcomes. Study the functions of power, policies, international politics and political figures.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Take a deep dive into the people, institutions and issues involved in Australian and international politics. Explore political processes, policy, diplomacy, political economy, and globalisation of Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
While political science generally focuses on the governance of individual states, international relations is interested in interactions between countries. You will examine Australia's global position and role, economic and social policies, threats to security, poverty, and other topics relevant to our modern society.
Learn more about Politics and International Relations here.
In politics, you may find roles as an adviser to a member of parliament, a public relations officer or as a political journalist. International relations professionals involved in foreign policy and diplomacy liaise with governments to help promote cooperation and protect Australia’s interests overseas.
Your work could involve managing international partnerships and the implications for the people of Australia and beyond. Draw on a specialisation including economics, law or medicine to devise strategies, outcomes or products that benefit communities around the world.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Study psychological theory, human perceptions and interactions, to understand the influence of brain functions on decision-making and other behaviours.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Explore the connections between social, psychological and physical health, and consider the impacts of environment and culture on how we learn, interpret and remember information.
Choose from a wide array of subjects on modern psychology, the nervous system, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, health psychology, personality and psychological disorders. Add a second major to complement your interest in Psychology Studies and broaden your area of expertise.
The insight you gain from psychology studies is highly valued in professional areas including consumer behaviour, marketing, experimental sciences, data interpretation and more. Graduates pursue careers in areas including family and community support, guidance counselling, social research and schools.
Continue your studies with Honours and Master-level degrees to pursue a career in clinical or professional psychology. Find out more about the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and your potential path to becoming a registered psychologist.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help.
Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
Develop the analytical skills to learn how society is organised and how people relate to and interact with each other, objects and the world around us.
Location:
The Bachelor of Arts is available in Townsville, Cairns and Online. Some subjects are not offered in every location. Please enquire if you are interested in a specific field of study.
Starts:
February, July
Entry requirements**:
ATAR: 59
English (Units 3/4,C)
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
Study social trends to understand how societies and institutions have developed throughout history. Learning and using social science research tools, you will examine social and community structures in areas including government, family, economics, education and the workplace.
Sociology is a natural fit with many other Arts disciplines, including anthropology, criminology, history, politics, psychology and archaeology. It draws on observations and evidence to more deeply understand human social systems, in all their forms.
Learn more about Sociology here.
Sociologists are typically employed in roles focused on analysing real-world examples and data sets to identify trends and anomalies, draw observations and make recommendations for social or policy improvements. Many collect sociological data for government or private companies to help shape government policy and social programs.
Research and policy originating in the field of sociology has a significant impact on various sectors, including politics, law, healthcare and technology. Roles in relationship-centred professions like marketing and human resources present other opportunities for sociologists to apply their skills in managing human connections and social interactions.
Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Arts course page on our website.
If you do not meet the entry requirements, there are several pathways and bridging courses you can take to help you achieve entry to the degree.
JCU Prep provides a pathway into this course. Enrolling in this flexible program will enable you to meet entry requirements including subject pre-requisites and ATARs. Introductory academic subjects are also available to prepare you for tertiary study.
Find out more
"My Bachelor of Arts studies have equipped me with the critical thinking skills and knowledge necessary to better navigate interpersonal and intercultural exchanges with care and clarity."
Cole Brown
Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and International Relations - Student
"For anyone who wants to prepare for the future, the Bachelor of Arts allows you to broaden yourself and develop understandings to deal with challenging questions facing humanity. You can tailor your degree in line with your interests. The Bachelor of Arts has the range and flexibility for you to be all you can be."
Professor Rosita Henry
Professional Chair, Anthropology Lecturer
