Bachelor of Arts (Second Major: Philosophy)

School of Arts & Sciences

If you are interested in all the important questions: Who am I? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? The study of philosophy deals with some of the most important questions facing humans. The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Philosophy tackles these complex issues. You will grow and develop your critical thinking skills by carefully examining great philosophical works. Get in contact today to start exploring.

• Why study this major?

  Philosophical thought is central to how we see ourselves and the wider world. Our Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Philosophy provides a detailed introduction to the Western philosophical tradition from the Ancient World until now. Along the way, you will grapple with some of the thorniest questions in moral philosophy, learn basic philosophical reasoning, and develop your capacity for critical thinking and clear expression.

  In Years Two and Three, you can pursue your philosophical interests by choosing from a wide range of topics, including Business Ethics, Formal Logic, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Religion and Epistemology. You will also examine the work of prominent thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas and learn to evaluate arguments about truth, reality, and various belief systems.

  While only a few philosophy graduates pursue careers as professional philosophers, the considerable skills acquired, and knowledge gained apply in many occupations. As a graduate of a Bachelor of Arts (Major: Philosophy), you will have the analytical and critical skills necessary to succeed in academic research, business management, policy development, politics, journalism, international trade, and diplomacy.

  Philosophy is available as a Major and Minor in the following programs, including double-degree variations:

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) (Minor only)
  • Bachelor of Behavioural Science
  • Bachelor of Communications and Media (second Major and Minor)
  • Bachelor of Science (Minor only)
  • You can also complete a 3-year Bachelor of Philosophy degree.

• Program summary

  The Philosophy Major includes these requirements:

  Students must complete 200 units of credit, as follows:

  Fremantle

  Students complete these TWO courses:

  • CORE1010 Introduction to Philosophy
  • CORE1020 Ethics

  Students complete SIX of these courses:

  • PHIL2100 History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • PHIL2110 History of Philosophy: Medieval
  • PHIL2130 History of Philosophy: Modern
  • PHIL2140 History of Philosophy: Contemporary
  • PHIL3050 Aesthetics: The Philosophy of Art
  • PHIL3080 Natural Law
  • PHIL3090 Moral Philosophy
  • PHIL3150 Philosophy of Love and Friendship
  • PHIL3210 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHIL3300 Epistemology
  • PHIL3310 Cosmology and Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL3410 Political Philosophy
  • PHIL3510 Metaphysics: Theories of Being and Existence
  • PHIL3520 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL3550 Myth and Meaning
  • PHIL3710 Logical and Critical Thinking
  • PHIL3950 Special Topics in Philosophy & Ethics

  Sydney

  Students complete these THREE courses

  • PHIL1020 The Method & Basic Problems of Philosophy
  • PHIL1030 Critical Thinking
  • PHIL3090 Moral Philosophy

  Students complete ONE of these courses:

  • PHIL2100 History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • PHIL2110 History of Philosophy: Medieval
  • PHIL2130 History of Philosophy: Modern
  • PHIL2140 History of Philosophy: Contemporary

  Students complete FOUR of these courses:

  • PHIL2010 Introduction to Formal Logic
  • PHIL2060 The Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL2070 The Philosophy of Language
  • PHIL2100 History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • PHIL2110 History of Philosophy: Medieval
  • PHIL2130 History of Philosophy: Modern
  • PHIL2140 History of Philosophy: Contemporary
  • PHIL3000 Aquinas: Analytic and Phenomenological Approaches
  • PHIL3010 Business Ethics
  • PHIL3030 An Introduction to Metaphysics
  • PHIL3040 Metaphysics, Being, and God
  • PHIL3050 Aesthetics: The Philosophy of Art
  • PHIL3060 Faith and Reason
  • PHIL3080 Natural Law
  • PHIL3150 Philosophy of Love and Friendship
  • PHIL3210 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHIL3300 Epistemology
  • PHIL3410 Political Philosophy
  • PHIL3520 Philosophy of Religion

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  ---

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  Here you can find full details of the Major, Second Major and Minor requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: The availability of these courses and teaching staff is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements WA

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section^.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

  Entry requirements NSW

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section^.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts graduates should be able to;

  1. Demonstrate broad theoretical and practical knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts of one or more disciplines or practice areas
  2. Identify appropriate sources and evaluate information
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of different conceptual approaches and/or research methods
  4. Demonstrate the technical skills, professional skills and ethical practice required by one or more disciplines
  5. Synthesise knowledge and apply skills in order to solve complex problems
  6. Communicate arguments and/or ideas in a range of forms
  7. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others
  8. Reflect upon personal knowledge, skills and experiences

• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; Many employers will welcome the transferable skills. The following careers are open to graduates of this program:  Policy analyst, researcher, intelligence officer, and diplomat.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. While not a requirement, internship courses and work-integrated learning opportunities are available to enable you to gain on-the-job experience with professionals in your chosen field.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Arts & Sciences.

• Study abroad

  A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• Student profile data

  Tables 1 and 2 below give an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  Fremantle Student Profile Data

  TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Arts BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2022
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	17	37%
  (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	N/P
  (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	5	11%
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	<5	N/P
  Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	<5	N/P
  Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	13	28%
  International students	<5	N/P
  All students	46	100.0%

  TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Arts ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offers	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) *	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *[only if relevant]
  Highest rank to receive an offer	96.85	96.85
  Median rank to receive an offer	74.20	77.20
  Lowest rank to receive an offer	64.65	70.00

  Sydney Student Profile Data

  TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Arts BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2022
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	7	13%
  (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	8	15%
  (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement, not in the other three categories)	<5	NP
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	<5	N/P
  Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	11	21%
  Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	22	42%
  International students	<5	N/P
  All students	52	100.0%

  TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Arts ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offers	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) *	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *[only if relevant]
  Highest rank to receive an offer	82.85	97.85
  Median rank to receive an offer	65.90	75.15
  Lowest rank to receive an offer	55.20	69.05

  TABLE 2a – Bachelor of Arts (Honours) BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2022
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	<5	N/P
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	<5	N/P
  All students	N/P	100.0%

  Notes:  

  “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
  N/A – Students not accepted in this category
  N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

  In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please contact our Prospective Students Office.

  Fremantle and Broome Phone: +61 8 9433 0533 Email: future@nd.edu.au

  Sydney and Melbourne Phone: +61 2 8204 4404 Email: sydney@nd.edu.au

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.