Trying to decide which university to attend for your Bachelor of Arts? We might be biased, but we think you’ll have the best experience (and the best outcomes) if you study your BA right here at UQ. Let’s explore why.
The best arts program in Queensland
No matter what you’re studying, it’s good to know the university you’ve chosen excels in that field.
While you’ve likely already heard that UQ is ranked #1 in the state for things like law, business and management, and engineering and technology (all true btw), you may not have realised that our arts program is also the best in Queensland.
The QS World University Rankings 2024 ranked us #1 in the state for arts and humanities. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 also placed us #1 in the state for social sciences. Plus, both ranking systems feature UQ in the top 100 of universities worldwide for those subjects.
So, whichever majors and study areas you pursue in your Bachelor of Arts at UQ, you’ll know you’re getting a truly world-class education.
What makes UQ #1 in Queensland for arts and humanities?
- You’ll be taught (and inspired) by outstanding teachers who are passionate experts in their fields.
- You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources (e.g. recording studios for journalism students, the UQ Art Museum for art history students, the Anthropology Museum for anthropology and history students).
- You’ll graduate with excellent career prospects, because UQ is ranked #1 in the state for employment.
My BA (and volunteering at UQ Art Museum), gave me the skillset and network to get my foot in the door – and out into the world.
A huge range of majors
If you’ve chosen to study a Bachelor of Arts, it’s likely because you want to follow a particular passion you have and turn that passion into a profession. So, it makes sense to study your BA somewhere that offers a wide variety of majors to suit your interests.
At UQ, arts students have access to 45 majors (plus 4 minors), making it easy to build a study program that matches the topics you’re passionate about. For comparison, The University of Melbourne offers 33 majors, UNSW offers 20, and Griffith offers 16.
Of course, the sheer number of options isn’t the key factor here – what really matters is the diversity and breadth of study areas available. The majors at UQ cover the whole spectrum of arts, humanities and social sciences, ranging from Literature and Drama to Journalism and a whole host of international languages. There are also majors you might be surprised to see in an arts program, such as Mathematics, Economics, Geography, and Sports Studies.
An arts degree can be an opportunity to explore areas of passion and offers the flexibility to dip your toes into a wide range of areas of study. I think it’s a fantastic degree to find your own passion and follow that career pathway.
To give you even more versatility in your studies, the UQ Bachelor of Arts can also be paired with 17 other programs as part of an arts dual degree.
Explore all the majors Learn more about arts dual degrees
Access to unique opportunities
As part of your Bachelor of Arts at UQ, you’ll have the chance to complete internships, field work and other work experience opportunities that align with your career goals. This ensures you graduate with the professional skills and network to thrive in any workplace – now and in the future.
Thanks to our international partner universities, you may also choose to study overseas for up to a year. Here's just a small snapshot of universities across the world where you could complete an exchange semester:
- Kyoto University in Japan
- National University of Singapore
- Stockholm University in Sweden
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich in Germany
- University College London in the UK
- Trinity College Dublin in Ireland
- McGill University in Canada
- University of California in the USA
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia
- University of Lima in Peru.
Aside from having a fantastic time (and likely taking a touristy break or two), you'll also get a lot of insight from your time abroad. Studying overseas can expand your horizons – both metaphorically and literally. You’ll gain an understanding and appreciation of a different culture while making valuable global connections. Plus, depending on your major(s), you may get to put some of your learning into practice in a whole new setting – especially if you’re studying a language or international relations.
Through the BA, I was able to undertake studies in Germany, which broadened my perspective on national and cultural identity, multiculturalism and socio-politics.
A wonderful community and location
The Bachelor of Arts is inherently an enjoyable program, which is why arts students generally report a higher-than-average satisfaction rate with their studies. Combine this with our idyllic St Lucia campus environment and vibrant community, and it’s easy to see why so many UQ students and alumni love the BA.
UQ is also home to over 200 clubs and societies, which means you can explore even more of your passions – even ones that aren’t covered in the BA majors – during your time here.
Are you ready to study a degree you’ll love? Make the UQ BA your first preference.
