Rethinking arts and humanities education for the future

In our rapidly evolving world, people are pursuing careers that did not exist a decade ago. Technology and globalisation have us working in ways we would never have imagined.

At Deakin University, we know that being future-ready means being ready for anything. It means being prepared to learn new skills and adapt to new ways of thinking.

Our vision is to equip our graduates with critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. That’s why we’ve designed our new undergraduate arts, communication, creative arts, design, and film, TV and animation degrees to focus on three core values: innovation, employability and sustainability.

At Deakin, career readiness comes from hands-on practical learning coupled with the transferrable skills embedded in our degrees.

Many students choose to study overseas to enhance their career prospects both at home and abroad. The Australian education system is highly regarded and degrees from top Australian institutions such as Deakin University are valued. At Deakin, career readiness comes from hands-on practical learning coupled with the transferrable skills embedded in our degrees.

‘Our goal is to enhance students’ employability and career prospects from the day they begin learning with us,’ says Katrina Clifford, Senior Lecturer in Communication and Director of Employability in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University.

‘We challenged ourselves to design courses that put career success at the centre of our students’ learning, rather than as an add-on component. We want to equip our graduates for leadership roles and an entrepreneurial mindset for business,’ continues Katrina.

Focusing on your future dreams

From day one, Deakin students focus on their professional and personal aspirations. You decide what you want to do with your future and we can help you develop the tools to succeed. Throughout your degree, you will enhance your capacity to contribute responsibly, inclusively and impactfully to your community.

In each degree, you can design your own learning journey by choosing units that lead to your ideal career. By combining specific majors and minors, you can prepare for a career that values diversity and creativity. For example, Bachelor of Arts students can take majors in media and communication and international relations – preparing them for careers such as strategic international communications, campaign management and environmental policy advice.

In the final year of the program, you can apply your skills while learning in a real-world setting. With at least 100 hours of work experience built into the program, you can start to build connections and define your professional identity.

Becoming a good global citizen

A highlight of Deakin’s new Bachelor of Arts degree is the Global Challenges  sequence. The units in this sequence are designed to help students acquire the critical thinking and leadership skills to address current and emerging global issues with the knowledge, passion and empathy to drive change. With an understanding of how their local situation fits globally, our graduates are well-equipped to be future leaders.

The range of careers available to arts graduates is broad. Students who study arts, humanities and social sciences are highly valued by employers across a wide range of industries. Opportunities exist in fields such as government and non-government organisations, media, education and the creative arts. The skills and knowledge that arts graduates possess can set them on a pathway to leadership roles.

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