Philosophy is the study of the nature of existence, knowledge, truth and ethics. It involves consideration of the most fundamental questions about who we are, and examines philosophical thought across the breadth of history right up to the present day.
Arts and humanities subjects include history, English literature, philosophy, languages and architecture (scroll down for a full list of subjects and what you can do with them).
Arts and humanities subjects include history, English literature, philosophy, languages and architecture (scroll down for a full list of subjects and what you can do with them).
Studying an arts and humanities degree opens the door to a variety of career options. Graduates have gone on to become successful architects, historians, fashion designers, journalists, photographers, and lawyers.
Arts and humanities subjects include history, English literature, philosophy, languages and architecture (scroll down for a full list of subjects and what you can do with them). Students who study the arts and humanities develop analytical and communication skills that can help them progress in a range of careers.
The social sciences include a range of subjects such as geography, politics and sociology.
Social science is one of the largest fields of study in Australia, second only to business and management. Most Australian universities offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses across a range of social science subject areas.
The social sciences are fields that explore the relationships between individuals and societies. Subjects under this umbrella include anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, linguistics, politics, psychology and sociology.
In the UK, undergraduate courses tend to be in one subject within the social sciences as opposed to a singular social sciences degree.
As the home to some of the top universities in the world, the US is a great place to study for a social science degree.
Undergraduate programmes in the US are typically four years long and include the opportunity to study multiple subjects in the first two years, before specialising in the second half of your degree.
Subjects you study alongside your specialisation are known as minors, and your specialisation is your major, or special concentration. This format allows for a great level of flexibility and allows students to get a real grounding across the social sciences.
Theology is the study of religion. It examines the human experience of faith, and how different people and cultures express it. Theologians examine the many different religions of the world and their impact on society. Today we are more aware than ever of the profound influence religion has on us, even if we do not follow it ourselves. Understanding this can help us understand the laws, wars, traditions and morals of our own society and that of others.
History is the study of the sum of human experience. It is concerned with the past and its present legacy.
The study of history develops an array of skills including independent critical thinking, analytical skills, the ability to process and synthesise vast amounts of information - which is crucial in our world overflowed with information - and to engage in a historiographical debate.
This means that history is among the university subjects where you have to read the most material.
Forget the piles of textbooks or the long academic reading lists; preparing for university is as much about preparing for a whole new stage of life as it is about broadening your intellectual horizons.
And to help you along your journey of self-discovery, 12 students from Singapore to Germany have recommended the books – both fiction and non-fiction – that they wish they had read to help with their own transition.
