Can you see yourself jet-setting the globe with a career in trade, foreign affairs, journalism, international business or research? You have found the right degree.
ANU is a leader in the field of International Relations.
Our program will introduce you to International Relations, initially via the broad historical and intellectual framework which has framed the modern world of states since the 17th century. It will then concentrate on the 20th century, the age of World Wars and the Cold War, before addressing contemporary issues, the age of global political economy, global culture and communication, global environmental concerns and post-Cold war political conflict, including the 'War on Terror'.
With our flexible program you can extend your chosen language subject into a major, and have the opportunity to go on exchange or an international/national internship.
Are you seeking a dynamic career in politics, the public service, advocacy organisations, not-for-profit social and community services or private industry?
The ANU Bachelor of Policy Studies equips you with a comprehensive understanding of Australian public policies and related international policies.
This well-regarded education experience includes the Applied Policy Project, in which you will be engaged in an intensive student-led investigation of a policy issue or controversy relevant to your interests. You may also have the opportunity to attend the Australian National Internship Program.
Our program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge you need to gather and analyse a range of economic, demographic and social data, to evaluate public policies and programs, and to participate in policy design, advocacy and communication.
Career Options
ANU provides you with more choice for your entrance score by offering the new Flexible Double Degree program.
The ANU Flexible Double Degree lets you build skills for your chosen career without forfeiting your passion. It's your choice to build a double degree partnership that suits your head and your heart.http://students.anu.edu.au/applications/
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the degree graduates are expected to:
- Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them;
- Have a thorough understanding of the historical development of the global system;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principal actors in contemporary global politics and the challenges they face;
- Understand the principal factors that determine the foreign policies of major powers and of Australia;
- Reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of International Relations.
Upon successful completion of the requirements of the program, students will have the skills and knowledge to:
- define key areas of contemporary Australian public policy;
- critique the historical development of current Australian public policies;
- gather and analyse economic data, social data, and statistics related to Australian public policies;
- interpret and evaluate the outcomes of analysis of Australian public policies;
- produce professional written documentation for use within the Australian policy process;
- communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, the findings of policy analysis and the evaluation of public policies; and
- engage and intervene effectively in the contemporary Australian public policy process to effect change.
Admission Requirements
Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:
• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.
Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.
The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.
- ATAR:
- 89
- QLD Band:
- 7
- International Baccalaureate:
- 33
Domestic applicant entry requirements
From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.
Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.
International applicant entry requirements
International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.
Adjustment Factors
The National Access Scheme 2014
ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.
Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.
Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.
How to apply
Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.
Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of International Relations - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Policy Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $28,608.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of International Relations flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
48 units from completion of the International Relations major
24 units from completion of one of the following international relations specialisations:
Globalisation in International Relations
International Relations Theory
Either:
24 units from completion of one of the following minors:
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Or:
24 units from completion of an exchange or internship program
The Bachelor of Policy Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
66 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
ECON1101 Microeconomics 1
POLS1002 Introduction to Politics
POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy
POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government
DEMO2001 Population Studies
SOCY1002 Self and Society
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
SOCY2043 Qualitative Research Methods
SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice
SOCY3123 Policy and Program Evaluation
SOCY3030 Applied Policy Project
6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
ECON1100 Economics 1 (H)
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1
6 units from completion of an Australian Politics course from the following list:
HIST2227 Australian Political History
POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying
POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia
POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions
POLS2121 Ideas in Australian Politics
6 units from completion of a Political Theory course from the following list:
PHIL2020 Politics Theories of Social Justice
PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill
POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory
POLS2119 Ideas in Politics
POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory
12 units from completion of Key Issues in Policy Studies courses from the following list:
ANIP3005 Australian National Internship B
ASIA1022 Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
ASIA2020 Engaging Asia: Working with Government
ENVS3001 Climate Change Science and Policy in Practice
ENVS3020 Climate Change Science and Policy
ENVS3028 Environmental Policy
ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy
INDG3001 Public policy development and implementation and Indigenous Australians
LING2022 Language Policy and Language Politics
SOCY2021 Education and Society
SOCY2022 Environmental Sociology
SOCY2056 Sociology of Work and Employment
CRIM2001 Doing Criminology (Studies in Social Problems)
CRIM2004 Key Issues in Criminology I
SOCY3016 Key Issues in Criminology II
SOCY3021 Sociology of Health and Illness
STST2001 International Security Issues in the Asia-Pacific
STST2002 Internal Security Issues in the A-P
STST2003 Securing Australia's Asia-Pacific 'Arc of Instability'
STST3002 Australian Security in the Asian Century
STST3003 The Evolution and Roles of Australia’s Security and Intelligence Organisations
Majors
Bachelor of International Relations Majors
Minors
Bachelor of International Relations Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of International Relations Specialisations
Study Options
| Year 1 | POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units |
| POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 OR <b/>ECON1100 Economics 1(H)<b/>6 units 6 units | POPS2001 | |
| Year 2 | Major 2000 Level Course 6 units | Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | SOCY1002 Self and Society 6 units | SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice 6 units |
| Major 2000 Level Course 6 units | Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy 6 units | POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government 6 units | |
| Year 3 | Major 2000 Level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units | Core Course 6 units | SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods 6 units |
| Major 2000 Level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units | Core Course 6 units | SOCY2043 Qualitative Research Methods 6 units | |
| Year 4 | Major 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units | SOCY3123 Research for Public Policy 6 units | Core Course 6 units |
| Major 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units | SOCY3030 Applied Policy Project 6 units | Core Course 6 units |
Honours
For information about honours, please see the School of Politics and International Relations Honours website.
For information about honours, please see the College of Arts and Social Sciences Honours website.
Single degree
Three years full time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 units)
An International Relations major (48 units)
One of the following specialisations (24 units):
• Globalisation in International Relations
• International Relations Theory
• International Security
Either: a language minor (24 units)
Or: one of the following minors (24 units):
• Analytical Philosophy
• Contemporary Europe
• Continental Philosophy
• Corporate Sustainability
• Environmental Policy
• European History
• History
• International Communication
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• Moral and Political Philosophy
• Philosophy and Science
Or: an approved exchange or internship program (24 units)
Eight Electives from across the ANU (48 units)
Double degree
This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
Three years full time - four courses per semester (24 units)
An International Relations major (48 units)
One of the following specialisations (24 units):
• Globalisation in International Relations
• International Relations Theory
• International Security
Either: a language minor (24 units)
Or: one of the following minors (24 units):
• Analytical Philosophy
• Contemporary Europe
• Continental Philosophy
• Corporate Sustainability
• Environmental Policy
• European History
• History
• International Communication
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• Moral and Political Philosophy
• Philosophy and Science
Or: an approved exchange or internship program (24 units)
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of International Relations degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take the International Relations major (8 courses), one specialisation (from the designated list) (4 courses) and one minor (from the designated list) (4 courses) or an approved exchange (4 courses). You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of International Relations degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of International Relations degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take the International Relations major (8 courses), one specialisation (from the designated list) (4 courses) and one minor (from the designated list) (4 courses) or an approved exchange (4 courses).
Enrolment Status
While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
• A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major, minor or specialisation.
• You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
• You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
• You need to enrol in courses for the International Relations major
• You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential minor from the designated list
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of International Relations half of the double degree
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When
you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses
have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as POLS1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
You need to enrol in two 1000-level courses for your International Relations major:
• POLS1005 - Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts
• POLS1006 - Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues
You need to enrol in two 1000-level courses (if available) from one of the following minors:
• Advanced French Studies
• Advanced German Studies
• Advanced Italian Studies
• Advanced Spanish Studies
• Arabic
• Chinese Language
• Classical Chinese
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Hindi Language
• Indonesian Language
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language
• Korean Language
• Persian
• Russian
• Sanskrit Language
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Thai Language
• Turkish
• Urdu Language
• Vietnamese Language
• Analytical Philosophy
• Contemporary Europe
• Continental Philosophy
• Corporate Sustainability
• Environmental Policy
• European History
• History
• International Communication
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• Moral and Political Philosophy
• Philosophy and Science
• Political Science
Electives
Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in courses for one major, one minor and one specialisation, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for the major you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses.
Study Options
Bachelor of International Relations - Single Degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of International Relations.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level Course 6 units |
| POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level Course 6 units |
Bachelor of International Relations - Double Degree
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
| POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact students.CASS@anu.edu.au
Single degree
Three years full time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 courses)
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
72 units of Compulsory Courses
6 units of Australian Politics Courses
6 units of Political Theory Courses
12 units of Key Issues in Policy Studies courses
Eight Electives from across the ANU (48 units)
Double degree
This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
72 units of Compulsory Courses
6 units of Australian Politics Courses
6 units of Political Theory Courses
12 units of Key Issues in Policy Studies courses
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Policy Studies degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take 12 Compulsory Courses, 1 course of Australina Politics, 1 course of Political Theory and 2 courses of Key Issues in Policy Studies.
You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.
Double degree
In a Bachelor Policy Studies degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Policy Studies degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take 12 Compulsory Courses, 1 Course of Australina Politics, 1 Course of
Political Theory and 2 Courses of Key Issues in Policy Studies.
Enrolment Status
While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
A course (6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
You need to enrol in the 1000 level compulsory courses.
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Policy Studies half of the double degree
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234.
You will need to enrol in the followng 1000-level courses:
• POLS1002 Introduction to Politics in First Semester
• SOCY1002 Self and Society in First Semester
• ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 in First Semester 1 or Second Semester
• ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 in First Semester 1 or Second Semester or ECON1100 Economics 1 (H) in Second Semester
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
There is no major and minor requirement for this degree, however you can use your elective courses to make up a major or minor.
Electives
Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in the Compulsory 1000 level Courses you should choose electives1000-level courses to make up the balance of your courses.
Study Options
Bachelor of Policy Studies - Single Degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Policy Studies.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
| Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |