Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar)

Course Description

The Dean's Scholars degree provides an academic space for high-achieving single degree Arts students. With a limited intake of students per year, it aims to provide an enriched educational experience for high-achieving, motivated Arts students who are hoping to make a contribution to their field of study through teaching or research, or by working as professionals in their chosen area of study.

As a Bachelor of Arts degree, the Dean's Scholars degree is flexible. For example, Dean's Scholars have the opportunity to attempt subjects not normally available to first-year students. They may be granted exemption from certain first-year subjects and may be permitted extended subject loads, enabling them to complete the degree in less than the normal time and enter Honours in their third year. Each Dean's Scholar has an academic mentor, a member of academic staff who undertakes to offer advice in the scholar's major area of study.

The Dean's Scholars degree is not a scholarship. Students intending to apply for a place in this degree are encouraged to apply for the University's Undergraduate, Residential, Foundation or Equity and Merit Scholarships.

Dean's Scholar students benefit from:

• Access to shared study and workspace;

• Yearly text book/resource allowance for full-time students;

• Limited printing privileges;

• Dean's Scholars lunch time seminar series (seminars are conducted by high profile academic staff as well as visiting fellows);

• Opportunities to attend academic and higher degree research workshops and seminars;

• Dean’s Scholars celebratory events;

• Extended Library privileges.

The Sub Deans of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts oversee the program and have regular meetings with the scholars. Dean's Scholars are assigned an academic mentor - a member of academic staff who nominates to advise the student on matters concerned with the degree. On successful completion of the first part of the course, Dean's Scholars will be guaranteed admission to Honours.

Dean's Scholars must undertake one major study from the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts and may take any of the minor studies areas as set out earlier in this Handbook under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts 702. To remain in the program, Dean's Scholars must maintain an average of 75% in each year of study. If the student's average falls below 75%, the student will be transferred into the Bachelor of Arts 702.

Dean's Scholars are able to use the University's student exchange program to undertake a period of study overseas. Several Dean's Scholars have competed successfully for places in the Australian National Internship Program or the University Capitol Washington Internship Program which places students in political offices in Canberra or Washington D.C. respectively.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements, English requirements and credit transfer information are available from the Course Finder.

Credit Arrangements

Information on credit and articulation arrangements and how to apply for credit is available from the Course Finder.

Course structure

To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts 702A Dean's Scholar a student must complete a total of at least 144 credit points from subjects listed in the Course Structures of the Bachelor of Arts offered by member units of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, and other subjects as approved by the Faculty.

The 144 credit points shall include:

• The subjects prescribed for one of the majors listed in the Course Structures for that degree and offered by member units of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts;

• 24 credit points of 300 level subjects within the major must be at a pass grade or better;

• To complete the credit points required for the degree, students can take a second major, minor or elective subjects offered by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts or other faculties.

• Not more than 60 credit points in 100-level subjects;

• Maintaining an average mark of 75% or better.

• ARTS100 Peer-2-Peer Mentoring.

• Students may count no more than 24 credit points of PC (Pass Conceded) or PR (Pass Restricted) grades towards the 144 required for the degree.

Peer-2-Peer Mentoring

Peer-2-Peer Mentoring (subject code ARTS100) is a compulsory zero credit point subject that must be undertaken by each student during their first year. This subject consists of a one hour weekly tutorial during the student's first session of study. This subject is designed to enable incoming students to adapt rapidly to the tertiary environment and engage with the university community.

Students can find information at the Peer-2-Peer Mentoring website.

Assessment in this course varies between subjects and typically includes a combination of essays, tutorial/seminar presentations, WebCT exercises and, in some subjects, in-class tests and/or exams. Some subjects may have an additional practical component. The assessment requirements of each subject are set out in the individual subject outlines, which students receive in the first week of session.

Majors and Minors

Students can undertake a double major in their degree. As long as the first major is taken from those offered by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, the second major can be taken from Arts, or from any other faculty, provided students meet the requirements for that major. The most common second majors taken outside the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts include Economics, Geography, Management, Marketing and Psychology. If the two majors have common subjects, students can count one subject twice towards the majors but cannot count the credit points twice towards those required for the degree.

Minor studies consist of a minimum of 28 credit points of which no more than 12 credit points at 100 level can be counted. Students may not cross count subjects from a nominated minor into any other minor or major. Minors do not appear on the testamur but do appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record).

Where a minor is taken from outside of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts degree, refer to the requirements prescribed for that minor.

Major Study

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts 702A (Dean's Scholar) within the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts must take one of these majors:

Cultural Studies

Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students

Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students

Creative Writing

English Literatures

French

History

Indigenous Studies

Italian

Japanese

Philosophy

Photography

Politics

Science and Technology Studies

Sociology

Spanish

Writing and English Literatures

Minor Study

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts 702A (Dean's Scholar) may choose from the following minors.

Asia Pacific Studies

Australian Studies

Cultural Studies

Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students

Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students

English Literatures

Environmental Studies

European Studies

French

History

Indigenous Studies

Indonesian

Italian

Japanese

Philosophy

Politics

Science and Technology Studies

Sociology

Spanish

Internship and International Subjects

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting. The internship subject ARTS301 is offered in autumn and spring sessions, all Arts students can enrol into ARTS301 providing they meet the pre-requisites. Another popular internship facilitated by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts is the Politics Internships. The Politics internship subject POL 301 presents interested students with the opportunity to be an intern at Washington, New York or Canberra. Read more about the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts Internship Program on our website. One of the Faculty's aims is to encourage students to study in an overseas university. Students can study abroad for a full session taking three to four subjects, or can study abroad for a shorter period of time by taking a study tour. The Faculty's study tour subjects currently focus on War History and incorporate visits to Gallipoli and the Western Front. Both subjects are listed below:

Honours

See separate entry for the Bachelor of Arts Honours

The Faculty of Arts Honours Handbook can be accessed as a PDF document from the School of Arts home page.

Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree

In January of each year, the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Arts Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a place in the Bachelor of Arts Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree, applicants would normally meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in the BA 702 or any other degree;

• Full-time student;

• Have successfully completed two full sessions of study or 8 subjects;

• Have a WAM (weighted average mark) of at least 80.

For more information including the full list of Dean's Scholars Degrees and to how to apply online visit the Arts Dean Scholars website. 

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au