U0601 Diploma of Arts
Office of the DVC Education and Senior VP
Diploma of Arts (U0601) is a 2 years full-time, 96-credit-point, diploma course from the Office of the DVC Education and Senior VP, taught at City (Melbourne). Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.
- Credit points
- 96
- Duration
- 2 years full time
- 4 years part time
- Campus
- City (Melbourne)
- On campus
- Guaranteed ATAR
- Part 1: 50 || Part 1A: 55 || Part 2: Sociology or Media Communication stream: 60 OR Psychology stream 65
The 2027 handbook has no page for U0601. This is its 2026 entry, the latest one.
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Requisite map
The 2026 handbook lists no units for U0601 itself. Pick an area of study to see its units.
Overview
The Diploma of Arts is your first step towards completing your Monash Arts degree. The Diploma of Arts provides you with the skills you will need to progress to an arts degree, including how to work independently, think critically and communicate effectively. The flexibility of this Diploma allows you to learn about social and political issues, language and communication and how they shape and impact our world.
In Part 1, the Diploma of Arts provides the opportunity to gain broad foundational and discipline knowledge in arts and social sciences, which is extended in Part 2 with the opportunity to develop a more specialised understanding in your chosen stream that relates to your area of interest. In Part 2 you will study subjects equivalent to first-year Monash University subjects, which will enable you to progress to second year in your chosen field. The Diploma of Arts offers a Psychology stream, sociology stream or media communication stream.
In the Diploma of Arts, you can also select to undertake the Education stream, which upon completion allows you to progress to the Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts double degree. During your studies in part 2, you will complete the same number of units as a single discipline diploma. You'll complete two education studies units and 10 days of professional work placement as part of your diploma.
Course structure
Part 1. Foundation knowledge48 credit points
a) You must complete the following seven units (42 credit points)
MCD1350 Media Studies A
MCD1560 Introduction to Journalism
MCD1520 Introduction to Academic Communication
MCD1360 Media Studies B
MCD1580 Introduction to Psychology
MCD1590 The Modern World
MCD1540 Intercultural Business Communication
b) You must complete one of the following units (6 credit points)
MCD1280 Art and Design Theory A
MCD1690 Introductory Economics
MCD1730 Foundations of 3D
Part 2. Discipline knowledge48 credit points
Diploma of Arts only
48 credit pointsMCD6010 Academic Writing
MCD6020 Media and Culture
MCD6040 Professional Writing
MCD6050 Communications and Society
MCD6180 Introduction to International Relations
MCD6190 Geopolitical Security in the Indo-Pacific
b) You must complete one of the following combination of two units (in your chosen stream) (12 credit points)
Psychology stream
MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology
MCD6170 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry
Sociology stream
MCD6120 Introduction to Sociology
MCD6140 Big Ideas for Better Futures
Media communication stream
MCD6150 Media Challenges
MCD6160 Communicating in the Digital Era
Diploma of Arts with Education stream
48 credit pointsMCD6010 Academic Writing
MCD6020 Media and Culture
MCD6040 Professional Writing
MCD6050 Communications and Society
b) You must complete one of the following combination of two units (in your chosen arts stream) (12 credit points)
Sociology stream
MCD6120 Introduction to Sociology
MCD6140 Big Ideas for Better Futures
Psychology stream
MCD6080 Foundation in Psychology
MCD6170 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry
c) You must complete one of the following combination of units (in your chosen education stream) (12 credit points)
Primary Education stream
MCD8012 English and literacies 1
MCD8030 Primary professional experience (0 points)
MCD8058 Learning to learn, learning to teach
Secondary Education stream
MCD8040 Secondary professional experience (0 points)
MCD8058 Learning to learn, learning to teach
MCD8059 Fostering classroom culture
The handbook's description of this structure
The course is structured in two parts: Part 1. Foundation knowledge and Part 2. Discipline knowledge.
Part 1: Foundation Knowledge
In this part you will study eight core units related to arts and the social sciences that provide the foundational knowledge and prepare you to progress to part 2 in your chosen Diploma of Arts stream.
Part 2: Discipline Knowledge
In this part you will study equivalent first-year university units and develop your specialist knowledge in your chosen discipline stream of either Media Communication, Psychology or Sociology. In this part you will study eight units, comprising six core units and two elective units that align with your interests and the degree you wish to progress to.
In this part you also have the opportunity to complete the Education studies stream, which allows you to develop foundational knowledge in either primary or secondary education. In the Education stream you will complete two education studies units and 10 days of professional work placement. Note: Only Sociology or Psychology disciplines in the Diploma of Arts are available if you choose this stream.
The course comprises 96 points structured in two parts: Part 1. Foundation knowledge (48 points) and Part 2. Discipline knowledge (48 points).
Each unit is 6 credit points and students must complete:
Part 1: Foundation knowledge (48 points)
You must complete a) and b)
a) You must complete the following seven units (42 points):
- MCD1350 Media Studies A
- MCD1560 Introduction to Journalism
- MCD1520 Introduction to Academic Communication
- MCD1360 Media Studies B
- MCD1580 Introduction to Psychology
- MCD1590 The Modern World
- MCD1540 Intercultural Business Communication
b) You must complete one of the following units (6 points):
- MCD1280 Art and Design Theory A
- MCD1690 Introductory Economics
- MCD1730 Foundations of 3D
Part 2: Discipline knowledge (48 points)
Diploma of Arts only
You must complete a) and b)
a) You must complete the following six units (36 points)
- MCD6010 Academic Writing
- MCD6020 Media and Culture
- MCD6180 Introduction to International Relations
- MCD6040 Professional Writing
- MCD6050 Communications and Society
- MCD6190 Geopolitical Security in the Indo-Pacific
b) You must complete one of the following combination of two units (in your chosen stream) (12 points)
Psychology stream
- MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology
- MCD6170 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry
Sociology stream
- MCD6120 Introduction to Sociology
- MCD6140 Big Ideas for Better Futures
Media communication stream
- MCD6150 Media Challenges
- MCD6160 Communicating in the Digital Era
Diploma of Arts with Education stream
You must complete a) and b) and c)
a) You must complete the following four units (24 points)
MCD6010 Academic Writing
MCD6020 Media and Culture
MCD6040 Professional Writing
MCD6050 Communications and Society
b) You must complete one of the following combination of two units (in your chosen arts stream) (12 points)
Sociology stream
- MCD6120 Introduction to Sociology
- MCD6140 Big Ideas for Better Futures
Psychology stream
- MCD6080 Foundations in Psychology
- MCD6170 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry
c) You must complete one of the following combination of units (in your chosen education stream) (12 points)
Primary Education stream
- MCD8012 English and literacies 1
- MCD8030 Primary professional experience (0 points)
- MCD8058 Learning to learn, learning to teach
Secondary Education stream
- MCD8040 Secondary professional experience (0 points)
- MCD8058 Learning to learn, learning to teach
- MCD8059 Fostering classroom culture
Learning outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate knowledge of technical and theoretical issues in a variety of Arts theory and technical and language skills with depth in some areas.
- 2
Identify and communicate advice in a variety of Arts disciplines to address problems in accord with management requirements.
- 3
Utilise technical skills to demonstrate understanding and problem solving in relation to Arts issues involving diverse stakeholders.
- 4
Critically apply theoretical and technical skills to solve problems in relation to a range of Arts disciplines.
- 5
Manage work priorities and coordinate the work of others in accord with parameters set by management.
Entry requirements
Guaranteed ATAR and selection rank
Part 1: 50 || Part 1A: 55 || Part 2: Sociology or Media Communication stream: 60 OR Psychology stream 65
Other applicants
All applicants must satisfy the English and academic requirements equivalent to VCE.
English language
Part 1:
- IELTS (or equivalent): 5.5 (no band lower than 5.0)
- TOEFL Internet based score: 52 – Writing 15, Speaking 14, Listening and Reading 5
Part 2:
- IELTS (or equivalent): 6.0 (Writing not less than 6.0, no other band less than 5.5)
- TOEFL Internet based score: 69 – Writing 21, Speaking 14, Listening and Reading 5
More information
Progression to further studies
Once you have completed your Diploma with the required entry score and prerequisite requirements, you will have guaranteed entry into second year of a related undergraduate degree at Monash University.
Notes for students
For those students studying the Education Stream:
- All teachers in Australia require a Working with Children's Check. You will need to apply for this during the first few weeks of your diploma.
- All applicants must sit an online Situational Judgement Test to be eligible for entry into this course. The test is designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. For more information visit the Faculty of Education's Situational Judgement Test website.
- Successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test is a requirement of the Education double degree. We will help you prepare, so you can choose to sit the test while at Monash College or once you are at Monash University. Find out more information about the Literacy and Numeracy Test.
This Diploma includes 10 days of professional experience (usually during Trimester 2). You will be enrolled into MCD8030 Primary Professional Experiences OR MCD8040 Secondary Professional Experiences based on your specialisation in education.
Other information
The Diploma of Arts is your first step towards completing your Monash Arts degree. The Diploma of Arts provides you with the skills you will need to progress to an arts degree, including how to work independently, think critically and communicate effectively. The flexibility of this Diploma allows you to learn about social and political issues, language and communication and how they shape and impact our world.
In Part 1, the Diploma of Arts provides the opportunity to gain broad foundational and discipline knowledge in arts and social sciences, which is extended in Part 2 with the opportunity to develop a more specialised understanding in your chosen stream that relates to your area of interest. In Part 2 you will study subjects equivalent to first-year Monash University subjects, which will enable you to progress to second year in your chosen field. The Diploma of Arts offers a Psychology stream, sociology stream or media communication stream.
In the Diploma of Arts, you can also select to undertake the Education stream, which upon completion allows you to progress to the Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts double degree. During your studies in part 2, you will complete the same number of units as a single discipline diploma. You'll complete two education studies units and 10 days of professional work placement as part of your diploma.
Common questions
How long is Diploma of Arts?
2 years full time, 96 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 4 semesters of full-time study.
What ATAR do I need for Diploma of Arts?
The guaranteed ATAR listed for 2026 entry is Part 1: 50 || Part 1A: 55 || Part 2: Sociology or Media Communication stream: 60 OR Psychology stream 65.
Where can I study Diploma of Arts?
At City (Melbourne).
How do I plan my Diploma of Arts units?
Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.