The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Broadening units

An exciting feature of UWA's undergraduate degrees, broadening units will add a valuable dimension to your studies.

These units are a requirement of all five bachelor’s degrees and will provide you with knowledge beyond the fields in which you choose to specialise. You will be required to take four broadening units from outside your degree area, including at least one with a global or cultural focus.

Employer groups and professional associations have repeatedly emphasised the need for graduates to be equipped with broader knowledge and skills to prepare them for a rapidly changing international workplace. These include highly valued attributes such as well-developed communication, research and problem-solving skills.

The new broadening requirements will give you the opportunity to study a diverse range of subjects as part of your degree and gain an understanding of different methods of enquiry. You may choose to study units that are of a particular interest to you or which add extra value to your primary degree area.


How does it work?

Broadening units fall into two categories, A and B. At least one of the four units needs to be chosen from Category A. These units focus on some aspect of the globalised and culturally diverse environment.

The remaining three units can be taken from Category A and/or Category B. Category B comprises an extensive range of electives from any discipline outside the degree for which you are enrolled (subject to meeting unit prerequisites). Units studied as part of a second major chosen from another degree can count towards your Category A and/or B broadening requirements.

You may take your broadening units at any time during your degree. When you enrol at UWA you will be provided with further information and advice to help you design your own study plan. This will help you determine where your broadening units will fit into your undergraduate course.

How will it make me more employable?

Broadening your study at undergraduate level will ensure you are a well-rounded graduate, giving you a global perspective that will prepare you for success in a changing and increasingly international workplace.


How do I fulfil my Category A requirement?

Your Category A requirement can be fulfilled in any of the following three ways:

1: Study a Category A unit

Category A broadening units focus on aspects of the globalised and culturally diverse environment. Successful completion of at least one of these units, from the options that fall outside your main degree, will satisfy your Category A requirement.

2: Study overseas

Spend a semester or two undertaking your studies internationally. An approved Student Exchange or Study Abroad program will count as your Category A broadening unit.

UWA Study Abroad and Student Exchange programs offer you the opportunity to study overseas at renowned universities while still gaining credit towards your UWA degree. Completing part of your studies overseas is a great way to learn more about the world and other cultures and will help you develop a level of independence and confidence highly regarded by employers. These programs are open to all students, including international students.

3: Study a language other than English

Completing a unit in a language other than English (LOTE), provided that it is not in the same discipline as your degree-specific major, will satisfy your Category A broadening unit requirement. If you are enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts the language must be outside your degree-specific major. For example, if you major in French you can study a unit in another language and still satisfy your Category A broadening unit requirement.

UWA offers the following languages:
Modern languages:
Classical languages:

How do I fulfil my Category B requirements?

Category B broadening units can be chosen from any area outside those in your degree, including Category A and LOTE units, provided you have fulfilled any unit prerequisites. You can either choose to study a range of electives as your Category B units or take them as part of a second major chosen from outside your degree. Units studied overseas as part of an approved Study Abroad or Student Exchange program may also be eligible for consideration as a Category B broadening unit.

There are many interesting Category B options as nearly all units offered at a Level 1 undergraduate level can be selected as Category B broadening units, giving you hundreds of choices.


What are the Category A broadening units?

You may choose units from any list(s) other than your primary degree's. For example, if you were enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts, your broadening units would have to be chosen from the commerce, design, and/or science lists.

If you are studying a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) you will choose your broadening units from a degree other than the one housing your degree-specific major. For example, if you are enrolled in the BPhil(Hons) with a degree-specific major in science, you will choose your broadening units from the areas of arts, commerce and/or design.

Units from the Bachelor of Design

Further information

Some discipline areas do not currently provide a full major sequence of study, but offer a number of interesting units you can take as broadening units.

Units from other faculties

Several faculties have pages that outline some of the broadening units offered in their areas of study.


 

Footnote links and information

University information

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Last updated
Tuesday, 29 January, 2013 10:53 AM
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