Program Overview

An arts/science degree builds your knowledge and skills across creative and technical areas to expand your career prospects in fields such as environmental science, humanities, research, health and social sciences.

Your arts and science studies are divided equally across this four-year double degree, giving you the opportunity to explore topics from both disciplines that reflect your interests and goals. Choose from arts subjects like anthropology, languages, archaeological and heritage studies or philosophy and combine these with studies in scientific areas such as botany, microbiology, data science, zoology and more.

Throughout your arts and science subjects, you'll have access to purpose-built teaching and research facilities and work alongside some of Australia's leading educators. Subjects across both our arts and science disciplines offer a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, giving you the skills you need to adapt to today's changing jobs landscape.

Build skills in problem-solving, communication and collaboration – all highly sought after by employers – then use these skills to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems. Whether it's protecting endangered animals, discovering new ways to treat disease, shaping the political landscape, fighting climate change, or addressing global challenges, you'll be ready to pursue your dream career by tailoring your double degree with a mix of majors, minors and electives.

You'll learn:

• Creativity: Tap into your creative side to unlock new ideas and innovative solutions.
• Critical thinking: Develop your critical thinking skills to analyse and respond to complex issues.
• Scientific inquiry: Learn how to study the world around you using scientific methods that address unanswered questions.
• Communication: Learn how to connect, communicate and collaborate with a range of audiences in both written and verbal formats.
• Lab and fieldwork skillsGain technical skills in both the laboratory and the field to understand how to collect and analyse data.
• Emotional intelligence: Explore and understand what drives our decision making and learn how to connect to others with emotion and intelligence.

Major: International Studies

The International Studies major allows you to make sense of the social, economic and political factors that contribute to how the world works. In this major, you’ll investigate the systems, structures and laws that shape international affairs from a range of perspectives. You’ll develop a keen sense of why the world faces the problems it does, how history has shaped the world we live in, and how policies to address the greatest global challenges are developed and can be improved. You’ll study subjects about security, economics, slavery, human trafficking, migration, development, international law, international organisations, foreign policy and modern Asia, and you will be strongly supported to study a language, experience the world through overseas study tours, and undertake internships.

The La Trobe International Studies major is taught by world-leading academics who have extensive experience in many areas including the real world of policy-making, international development, and international negotiations. Industry and community leaders will regularly present in your classes, giving you the opportunity to develop your networks. An International Studies major will provide you with the knowledge required to tackle major global challenges, including climate change, war, terrorism, poverty, and inequality. It will also help you understand cultural and political differences and similarities across the world, which is crucial to working effectively internationally. When you complete this major, you’ll have the skills and knowledge required to establish a career dealing with international issues or working internationally.