| Rank threshold | ATAR: 60 SR: 60 |
| Duration | 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time |
| Location | Online and Rockhampton |
| Next start term | Term 1, 2025 |
| Study mode | On Campus, Online |
| Course code | CF36 |
| First-year fee | $16,992 (Indicative) (CSP) |
Overview
The Diploma of Arts provides you with an opportunity to explore a humanities or social sciences discipline. Successful completion of the course will allow you guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Arts at CQUniversity.
The Diploma of Arts provides you with an opportunity to explore a humanities or social sciences discipline at an introductory level, preparing you for employment in a range of fields, or further study. Successful completion of the course will allow you guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Arts at CQUniversity.
During your education and training, you will explore disciplines that study the way humans recognise, record and debate human practices, meanings and values. This will aid you in developing a contemporary understanding of both the human condition and how society operates.
You will have the opportunity to gain crucial lifelong learning and transferable generic skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, and you will be able to apply these skills to a range of employment opportunities and life situations.
As a graduate of the course, you may find career opportunities in administrative and assistant roles in a range of fields, including advertising, government administration and planning, communications, history, and many more.
The Diploma of Arts course is available by both online study and on-campus and either full-time or part-time. You may choose part-time study while working in the industry, allowing you to earn and learn.
Study experience
- Industry Relevant
- Seamless Pathways
Career Opportunities
Completion of the Diploma of Arts will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in fields such as:
- advertising
- arts administration
- editing
- government administration and planning
- communications
- copywriting
- desktop publishing
- environmental planning and management
- geography
- history
- journalism
- librarianship
- research
- nature and heritage conservation
- political research
- psychology
- welfare
- writing.
Structure & Availability
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.
Available locations
Your course
You must complete 8 units (48 credits):
- 1The core structure (2 units)
- 2Six units from within the Bachelor of Arts
Unit Details
The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.
What You'll Study
The two core units you'll study are listed below - click on the unit name below to learn more about these units.
You'll then have the option to select six level-1 units from the Bachelor of Arts as follows:
- Two units from one Arts major
- Two units from a second Arts major
- Two units from an Arts minor
Course Planner
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
Additional information
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.
Requirements
To Be Eligible
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
Student and Course Profiles
View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2024 via our Institute Profile.
During Your Study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.
Fees & Scholarships
Indicative First-Year Fee
The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the cost-per-unit spreadsheet available on our fees webpage for the approved unit fees. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
Commonwealth Supported Places
This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.
HECS-HELP Loan
You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees.
Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.
We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.
How to apply
How to Apply
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Your application options
Follow these steps
Extra Admission Information
Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU.
Applying for 2026
Applications for 2026 via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) open in April 2025.
More information will be available soon.
