• Length 4 years full-time
  • Minimum 192 Units
Admission requirements
  • Academic plan BPOLS / BPPE
  • CRICOS code 079093D
  • UAC code 130010
  • Academic contact
Bachelor of Policy Studies / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

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.

Are you a leader? The Australian National University is a leader too, especially in the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. This progressive and well regarded degree will arm you with the moral, economic and political perspectives you need to make a real impact.

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics has a strong international component that gives you the opportunity to engage with other leading Universities around the world.

You will develop exceptional problem solving skills and critical and conceptual thinking, all while gaining a passport to some of the world’s most promising careers.

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the requirements of the program, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

  1. define key areas of contemporary Australian public policy;
  2. critique the historical development of current Australian public policies;
  3. gather and analyse economic data, social data, and statistics related to Australian public policies;
  4. interpret and evaluate the outcomes of analysis of Australian public policies;
  5. produce professional written documentation for use within the Australian policy process;
  6. communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, the findings of policy analysis and the evaluation of public policies; and
  7. engage and intervene effectively in the contemporary Australian public policy process to effect change.

Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of PPE, and the relationships between them;

Identify main currents in the three disciplines of PPE and their theoretical bases;

Define, critically discuss and apply:

  1. major philosophical theories and approaches to the evaluation of social institutions;

  2. the methods of economics to the study of political institutions and processes;

  3. the methods of economics to questions within political philosophy;

  4. the assumptions, ‘tools’ and limitations of political economy;

  5. the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory.

Describe and evaluate how the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory affect and influence political situations, institutions and complex political processes in liberal democracies;

Recognise and analyse the different actors, processes and stages involved in formulating public policies; and

Analyse practical dilemmas that arise in politics using the theories, approaches and methods of the three main disciplines of PPE.

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:
96
QLD Band:
3
International Baccalaureate:
38

Domestic applicant entry requirements

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 http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/  for more information.

Bachelor of Policy Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$34,944.00

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

This double degree requires the completion of 192 units.

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:

54 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

DEMO2001 Population Studies

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy

POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government

SOCY1002 Self and Society

SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 Qualitative Research Methods

SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice

6 units from completion of a Capstone course from the following list:

SOCY3001 Research Internship

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

18 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

CRIM2001 Doing Criminology: Research Methods in Crime and Criminal Justice

CRIM2003 Controversies in Crime Control

CRIM2004 Dimensions of Crime: Identifying and Controlling Offenders

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

SOCY3021 Sociology of Health and Illness

SOCY3123 Research for Public Policy

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

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

54 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON2101 Microeconomics 2(P)

ECON3056 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 3: Classic Literature in PPE

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

PHIL2116 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 2

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1008 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 1: Puzzles in Politics, Philosophy and Economics

POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science

 

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list, which may also be counted towards completion of any other other requirements:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory (P)

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

 

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

 

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science

PHIL2064 Theories of Ethics

PHIL2080 Logic

PHIL2113 Global Justice

PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill

PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy

 

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

CRIM2000 The Illicit Economy

ECHI1006 The Australian Economy: Past and Present

ECHI2005 History of Economic Thought(P)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

ECON2013 Behavioural Economics: Psychology and Economics

ECON2014 Managerial Economics

ECON2026 Money and Banking

ECON2120 Law and Economics(P)

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory (P)

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

INDG3003 The Indigenous Economy

 

6 units from the completion of 2000- and 3000-level courses from one of the following subject areas:

ANIP Australian National Internship

ECON Economics

PHIL Philosophy

POLS Political Science

 

Study Options

Year 1 ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction 6 units
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units OR ECON1100; INTR1022 Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution 6 units POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science 6 units PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking 6 units
Year 2 SOCY1002 Self and Society 6 units SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice 6 units ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units Non-compulsory Politics list Course 6 units
Core Course 6 units POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government 6 units POLS1008 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 1: Puzzles in Politics, Philosophy and Economics 6 units Non-compulsory Philosophy list Course 6 units
Year 3 POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy 6 units SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods 6 units ECON2101 Microeconomics 2(P) 6 units Non-compulsory Economics list Course 6 units
Core Course 6 units SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods 6 units PHIL2116 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 2 6 units Non-compulsory Politics list Course 6 units
Year 4 Core Course 6 units DEMO2001 Population Studies 6 units Non-compulsory Philosophy list Course 6 units ANIP/ECON/PHIL/POLS 2000/3000 Level Course 6 units
Capstone Course 6 units Core Course 6 units ECON3056 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 3: Classic Literature in PPE 6 units Non-compulsory Economics list Course 6 units

Honours

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Policy Studies (Honours)

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)

Single degree

Three years full time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 courses)
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
54 units of Compulsory Courses
6 units of Capstone Courses
6 units of either ECON1101 or ECON1102
6 units of Australian Politics Courses
6 units of Political Theory Courses
18 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
54 units of Compulsory Courses
6 units of Capstone Courses
6 units of either ECON1101 or ECON1102
6 units of Australian Politics Courses
6 units of Political Theory Courses
18 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 9 Compulsory Courses (54 units), 1 capstone course (6 units), Either ECON1100 or  ECON1102 (6 units), 1 Australian Politics course (6 units), 1 Political Theory Course (6 units), and 3 Key Issues in Policy Studies courses (18 units).
You'll also get to choose eight elective courses (48 units) 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 9 Compulsory Courses (54 units), 1 capstone course (6 units), Either ECON1100 or  ECON1102 (6 units), 1 Australian Politics course (6 units), 1 Political Theory Course (6 units), and 3 Key Issues in Policy Studies courses (18 units).

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.
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
•    ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 in 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 POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units SOCY1002 Self and Society 6 units ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units Elective Course 6 units
POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government 6 units DEMO2001 Population Studies 6 units ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units OR ECON1101; Microeconomics 1 6 units Elective Course 6 units

Bachelor of Policy Studies - Double Degree

Study Options

Year 1 48 units SOCY1002 Self and Society 6 units POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units DEMO2001 Population Studies 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units

Single degree

Three years full time (144 units) - 4 courses per semester (24 units)
54 units of compulsory courses
A minimum of 6 units from the following list, which may also be counted towards any other requirements :
. ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory (P)
. POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
. POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics12 units from Political Science List of Courses
12 units from Philosophy List of Courses
12 units from Political Science List of Courses
12 units from Economics List of Courses
6 units from completion of 2000/3000 level from one of the following subject areas
. ANIP Australian National Internship
. ECON Economics
. PHIL Philosophy
. POLS Political Science
Eight Electives from across the ANU (48 units)




Double degree

This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 48 units of 1000 level courses
Three years full time - 4 courses per semester (24 units)
54 units of compulsory courses
A minimum of 6 units from the following list, which may also be counted towards any other requirements :
. ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory (P)
. POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
. POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics12 units from Political Science List of Courses
12 units from Philosophy List of Courses
12 units from Political Science List of Courses
12 units from Economics List of Courses
6 units from completion of 2000/3000 level from one of the following subject areas
. ANIP Australian National Internship
. ECON Economics
. PHIL Philosophy
. POLS Political Science

About this degree

Single degree
In a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics 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 complete 15 compulsory courses and an additional course from you choice of Economics, Philosophy or Political Science.

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 Politics, Philosophy and Economics 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 Politics, Philosophy and 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 15  compulsory courses and an additional course from you choice of Economics, Philosophy or Political Science.

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.
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 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 Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree program 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.
You must enrol in the following courses:
•    ECON1101 - Microeconomics in First Semester
•    PHIL1004 - Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy in First Semester
•    POLS1002 - Introduction to Politics in First Semester
•    POLS1009 - Research and Writing in Political Science in Second Semester
•    PHIL1005 - Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning in Second Semester
•    POLS1008 - Integrative Seminar 1 in Second Semester

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

There is no major or minor requirement for this degree, however you can use your 48 units of electives to complete a major or minor.

Electives

Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in the 15 compulsory courses and a course (from the designated list), you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. That way you keep your options open.

Study Options

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Single Degree

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction 6 units Elective Course 1000 level course 6 units
PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking 6 units POLS1008 PPE Integrative Seminar Year 1: Puzzles in Politics, Philosophy and Economics 6 units POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science 6 units Elective Course 1000 level course 6 units

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Double Degree

Study Options

Year 1 48 units POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction 6 units OR ECON1101; Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking 6 units OR ECON1101; POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science 6 units Degree B 6 units Degree B 6 units
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