Since its foundation 150 years ago, the University has become one of Australia's leading educational institutions, and the Faculty has always been central to this endeavour. In 1853 the University offered just one course of studies and one degree - Arts. Since then new Arts courses have been offered in diverse areas of study which have, in turn, cultivated unique interdisciplinary perspectives. This has ensured that the Faculty remains at the forefront of teaching and research in languages, social sciences, the humanities, and creative arts.

The Faculty of Arts is home to nine Departments, five Schools, fourteen Research Centres and specialised study programs. We offer more than 50 areas of study ranging from Anthropology to Social Work. In most cases, these areas of study offer articulated pathways of study from bachelor degrees, through graduate-level coursework degrees to higher degree research in our masters and PhD programs.

Over 7000 students - 6000 undergraduates and 1000 postgraduates - are enrolled in over 1000 subjects. Over 800 of these are international students from more than 50 different countries, indicating the high esteem in which the Faculty is held internationally.