La Trobe University

Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies)

Nationally Recognised Higher Education

The Aboriginal Studies Major provides students with the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and community. In this major you will be exposed to a range of academic disciplines including history, archaeology, politics, public health, anthropology, media studies and linguistics. Throughout the major you will engage with topics focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that promote strong cultural awareness, Indigenous knowledges, community development and social advocacy.

You will study different aspects of Aboriginal societies including, Aboriginal history and languages, the contemporary politics of Indigenous Australia, Aboriginal self-determination and the impact of government policy on Indigenous Australians. This will give you an in-depth understanding of the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream Australia and introduce you to social research methods aimed at promoting local community engagement, wellbeing and empowerment in Aboriginal communities.

Delivery mode

La Trobe University offers this course through the following delivery modes:

Blended

Combine the flexibility of online learning with the support of on campus learning.


Locations
  • Plenty Road, Bundoora, Melbourne

Entry requirements

Domestic Students

  • There are no mandated entry requirements.

Applicants With Current or Recent Secondary Education (within the last two years)

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.

HSC: One of English Standard, English Advanced (Band 2), English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 3).

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • Are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • Have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
  • Do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work or community experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Subject Adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Business, any Humanities, or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

HSC: Applicants who successfully complete one of the following HSC or equivalent Year 12 subjects will have their selection rank increased by one point per study: Performance Band 3 in humanities, legal studies, psychology, any language other than English (Band 2), or theatre studies subject; English (Band 3). Overall, selection ranks can be increased by a maximum of five points.

Applicants With Higher Education Study

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

To be eligible for an offer of admission into the Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University, an applicant must:

  • Meet the stated criteria for Year 12 or Non-Year 12 admission, OR
  • Successful completion of two of the following four Open Access Pathway subjects:
  1. LST1LOJ - LAW AND (DIS)ORDER
  2. SOC1SAC - SOCIETY AND CULTURE: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
  3. ARC1THJ - THE HUMAN JOURNEY
  4. POL1SNS - STATES, SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Applicants With Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Applicants With Work and Life Experience

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • Are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • Have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
  • Do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

ATAR Rank: 60.05

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.

6.0 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 6.0.

IB (best 6) 26

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Overall score of 46

TOEFL Internet based (iBT) - Overall score of 64

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) 169

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) 169

Additional requirements may apply.

Course fees

Estimated Fee* $37,212 - $94,200 Fees are based on full-time study.
* Fees are indicative only and vary based on your circumstances and eligibility for government funding.
Standard Tuition:
$37,212
Full Fee Tuition:
$94,200
Enquire with La Trobe University to find out more.
Study mode Blended
Duration 3 Years
Estimated fee* $37,212 - $94,200 Support may be available

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies) will prepare you for the following roles.

Community Educator

A Community Educator provides support and advice to nursing mothers on breastfeeding and other topics. You might promote breastfeeding in the commu...

Avg yearly income $91,000
Entry barriers Low

Community Liaison Officer

A Community Liaison Officer works to improve the conditions of a community or a group within a community. You might listen to the concerns of commu...

Avg yearly income $83,200
Entry barriers Low

Social Welfare Officer

Social Welfare Officers support people and families in the community who are struggling with issues like mental health, unemployment, homelessness,...

Avg yearly income $100,880
Entry barriers Low

Indigenous Support Worker

An Indigenous Support Worker plays a vital role in assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by delivering culturally appropriate...

Avg yearly income $78,000
Entry barriers Low

Aboriginal Community Care Worker

An Aboriginal Community Care Worker supports Indigenous people to improve their health and well-being. You might be involved with a particular prog...

Avg yearly income $54,600
Entry barriers Low

About La Trobe University

For more than 50 years, we have been transforming people and societies. We put our students at the centre of everything we do - with a dual emphasis on excellence and inclusivity.

With a proud history built on a mission to advance knowledge and learning to shape the future of our world, we are the most successful Australian university at combining accessibility and excellence. Our passionate teachers deliver globally recognised learning to our diverse student body.

Whether it’s our innovations in teaching and learning, our strong graduate employment outcomes or our leading research, the world’s most respected university ranking agencies consistently rate La Trobe among the world’s best.

Year after year, these results reflect our commitment to outstanding student experience, the career-readiness of our graduates, our ambitious research culture and our partnerships with communities, government and industry.