Course Overview

About This Course

The Diploma in Liberal Arts provides students from diverse backgrounds with a flexible one-year introduction to tertiary studies. You have the opportunity to explore ideas and topics from a wide range of disciplines across the humanities, the arts and the social sciences. Designed to help students develop an agile mind and think critically about the world around them, the course equips you with in-depth foundational skills and knowledge in a series of units selected from the Schedule of Unit Offerings for the Bachelor of Arts degree, subject to campus availability. In today's constantly changing economic landscape, the Diploma in Liberal Arts will prepare you for a wide choice of careers in areas such as government, industry, business, the creative arts and, with further study, education.

The course is offered to domestic and international students and normally takes one year of full-time study or the equivalent part-time. It is an award at AQF Level 5. To qualify, a student completes 80 credit points: 20 credit points of specified units and 60 credit points of Arts elective units. Specified units include Scandals and Deception: Navigating Controversy, Being Human, Ethics and the Good Life, and Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema. A student who successfully completes four or more units may be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate in Liberal Arts, and a student who later gains entry to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Creative Arts, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Global Studies, Bachelor of Human Rights, Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability or Bachelor of Youth Work may receive academic credit for relevant units completed.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $18,024

Duration

1 year full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed either the equivalent of year 12 level with the ACU minimum eligibility rank for Diploma programs, or entry via an alternative pathway as approved by ACU.
Indicative ATAR: 50.00 (Brisbane), 50.00 (Melbourne), 50.00 (Strathfield)
Applicants with previous study or life experience may enter via the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or through work experience, from which a selection rank can be calculated where all experience is documented with supporting evidence.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including its English Language Proficiency requirements.
International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through a local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and are assessed on their performance in those studies, that is, their ATAR or equivalent.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The Diploma in Liberal Arts prepares students for a diverse range of careers in areas such as:
• Local, state and Commonwealth public service, government and public sector
• Industry and administration
• Non-government organisations

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units8 units

HUMA114

Scandals and Deception: Navigating Controversy

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

Bachelor of Arts

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Diploma in Liberal Arts take to complete?

The Diploma in Liberal Arts has a duration of 52 weeks, as listed in the CRICOS registry for Australian Catholic University.

How much does the Diploma in Liberal Arts cost for international students?

The estimated total course cost for the Diploma in Liberal Arts is $36,624 AUD in tuition fees, with no additional non-tuition fees listed, bringing the total estimated cost to $36,624 AUD.

At which campuses can I study the Diploma in Liberal Arts?

The Diploma in Liberal Arts is available at three campuses: Australian Catholic University's Strathfield Campus (NSW), Brisbane Campus (QLD), and Melbourne Campus (VIC). International students can study it at Melbourne and Strathfield only.

Is the Diploma in Liberal Arts eligible for Post-Study Work Rights?

No. The Diploma in Liberal Arts is not eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights because it is a Diploma-level qualification, not a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor, Masters or PhD), and its duration of 52 weeks is less than the required 92 weeks.

What field of education does the Diploma in Liberal Arts fall under?

The Diploma in Liberal Arts is classified under the broad field of Society and Culture (Field 09), with the detailed field listed as 'Society and Culture, n.e.c.' (099999) in the CRICOS registry.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $74,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $74,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Career Paths

Policy Analyst / Policy OfficerCommunications Officer / ManagerPublic Relations SpecialistContent Writer / CopywriterJournalist / Reporter

Key Skills

Critical thinking and analytical reasoningPersuasive written and oral communicationResearch design and qualitative/quantitative research methodsIntercultural awareness and cross-cultural communicationEthical reasoning and moral philosophy

Full Course Overview

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