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Degrees in the Faculty of Arts - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

 

What are the new degrees in the Faculty of Arts?

Most students in the Arts Faculty are enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts (BA). An important change to the BA is the introduction of MAJORS. A major will correspond to an area within a particular discipline. Importantly, with the new degrees, your major will appear on your testamur (the certificate which the University gives you upon graduation.


All new degrees require students commencing in 2010 to do People and Planet units
Are there equivalents to the old degrees in the new offerings?


Some older degrees are no longer offered from 2010, but most have equivalents in the new program. In the Arts Faculty, these are as follows:

2009 Offering

2010 Offering

BA in Media and Cultural Studies

BA in Media

 

BA (with a major in Cultural Studies)

 

BA (with a major in Media and Cultural Studies)
What currently appears on my academic record/testamur?

Under the current rules, the degree name appears as ‘Bachelor of Arts’.


What will appear on my academic record/testamur under the new curriculum?

Under the new rules, the degree name will appear as ‘Bachelor of Arts in Media’ or ‘Bachelor of Arts (with a major in Cultural Studies)’ or ‘Bachelor of Arts (with a major in Media and Cultural Studies)’.


Are there any changes to existing units of study (as opposed to programs)?

All units of study have been reviewed for 2010 offerings. Many have changed and most undergraduate units now have a value of 3 credit points. From 2011, all undergraduate units at Macquarie University will be worth 3 credit points.


Can I complete my existing degree, even if it’s no longer being offered? (And how, given all the changes in unit codes and names?)


Yes, students currently enrolled can complete the program they are enrolled in. But because some units have changed for 2010, you should see a Student Adviser to ensure that you enrol in the appropriate units required to graduate. You have until 31 Dec 2012 to complete your degree under the old rules. After 2012 you will be transitioned by default to of the new program of study.


If I change to a new degree in 2010, will I have to do a Capstone Unit?

Yes, all students enrolling in one of the new degree programs from 1 January 2010 will be required to include a 300-level Capstone unit in their studies. If you are close to finishing your degree in 2009, you should check before you decide to change to a new program that there will be a suitable Capstone unit available in your major area in 2010 as not all Capstone units are being offered in at that stage. Speak to an academic adviser if you are considering this.


How many credit points do I need to graduate?

If you continue with your existing program (under the old rules), then your credit point requirement is as published in the 2009 handbook for your existing degree (or the handbook in your first year of enrolment in that degree).
For new (2010 and beyond) programs:

  • A Bachelor of Arts and most other named undergraduate degrees under the new rules require 68 cp overall, with a maximum 30cp at 100 level, and at least 18 cp at 300 level.
If I still need the same number of credit points to graduate with my existing degree, and some units are worth fewer credit points, does that mean I have to do more units of study?


YES. You will do more units, but you should be doing the same amount of work. Unit convenors have revised the content of their units, and it should reflect the change in credit points with fewer contact hours, and shorter assessment tasks. You should contact the academic adviser in your discipline if you want to know more.


What if I need four credit points to graduate? With 300 level units only worth 3 credit points, I may be 1 credit point short.

You should speak to an academic adviser to ensure that you plan for completion of the full number of credit points required for your degree.


How do I transition to the new program?

You can apply using E-student. You should consult an academic advisor first.


What is a major?
    • The Bachelor of Arts requires completion of a major. Check the Handbook for the specific requirements for your program of study.

A major is a main area of study and, if your program requires the completion of a major, it will be shown on your testamur. A student who graduates in the current Bachelor of Arts receives a testamur showing that they have a Bachelor of Arts, but it does not include the coherent study or specialisation. The testamur for the new Bachelor of Arts will, however, show both the degree and your major – e.g. Bachelor of Arts major in Cultural Studies. In some degrees, where it may be possible to complete two majors, both will be shown on your testamur.


A major consists of a minimum of 24 distinct credit points, including a minimum of 12 distinct credit points at 300-level in an approved combination of units, which will include a Capstone unit. These units will usually but not always have the same prefix.


If I continue in my 2009 degree, do I have to select and register a major?

If you remain in the old program, you will follow the old graduation requirements – as per the 2009 handbook, or the handbook from your first year of enrolment. If you transition to a BA in the new program, you will need to select a major. This can occur now or closer to graduation.
If you are enrolling in a generic degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts you are advised to select your major at the time of enrolment, though you are not obliged to register it. You will have to choose both of your People and Planet units from outside the Department offering your major so it is helpful to know which Department that will be when you are choosing your units at enrolment.


Can I change my major?

Yes, you can, but you should seek academic advice before you make a decision. Changing your major may mean that you have to reconsider your choice of People and Planet units.


I want to do two majors. How do I do this?

You will have to:

  1. Complete all the requirements for each major including required units and minimum credit points. You can find the requirements for individual majors in the 2010 Course Handbook.
  2. For each major you will have to complete a minimum of 24 credit points, including 12 at 300 level. This includes the Capstone unit.
  3. If a unit is common to both majors, i.e. if it is a required unit in each major, you can count it towards meeting the unit requirements of each major but you can only count it once to satisfy the 24-credit-point requirement in one of the majors. You will have to make up the 24 credit points in the other major from other units for that major.
I am not sure what I should do, who should I see?

If you are concerned about what to do, please attend the New Curriculum Information session to be held 13 January or consult a Student Adviser. Specific details about this Information session can be found when you log into Portal.

 

 

From 2010, Macquarie University is making a number of changes to its curriculum for all its degrees. These changes will affect you.