Australia is increasingly looking to Asia - strategically, economically, politically, and culturally - and all eyes are on the graduates of tomorrow to take us there. Watch our video to find out how this degree will prepare you for a successful career in the Asian Century.

With a Bachelor of Asian Studies you will master an Asian language, acquire in-depth contextual knowledge, and graduate with the kind of Asian literacy that gets you noticed by employers.

And if you love adventure, we offer you a variety of study opportunities in the region so you can experience Asia first hand. Plus we’ll provide you with funding to help get you there.

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.

Employment Opportunities

In today’s globalised world success for business, government and international organisations depends heavily on strong relationships with Asia. This means that employers across the globe now actively recruit graduates who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the region.

From the “Kitchen Ninja” on TV to Human Rights Lawyer, the global skills our students develop  mean our graduates are found all over the world in exciting and challenging jobs across many fields including international relations or trade, development, government and policy, banking and finance, tourism, media, education, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, marketing and many other fields.

In today’s globalised world success for business, government and international organisations depends heavily on strong relationships with Asia. This means that employers across the globe now actively recruit graduates who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the region.

From the “Kitchen Ninja” on TV to Human Rights Lawyer, the global skills our students develop  mean our graduates are found all over the world in exciting and challenging jobs across many fields including international relations or trade, development, government and policy, banking and finance, tourism, media, education, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, marketing and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Asian Studies, graduates will be able to:

1. Engage with Asia linguistically and culturally as a basis for independent lifelong learning from Asia and with Asia.
2. Use concepts and methods from the humanities and social sciences to develop, review, analyse and synthesise knowledge about Asia, its regions, and its place in the world.
3. Use engagement with Asia’s diversity as a basis for critically reflecting on concepts, methods and knowledge in the humanities and social sciences.
4. Communicate knowledge of Asia to diverse audiences using academic and applied styles, in both English and an Asian language.
5. Exercise critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems, individually and in groups.

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, graduates will be able to:

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.

Further Information

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.

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

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.

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 Asian 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 consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change

ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in Motion

12 units from the completion of discipline courses from the following list:

ASIA2065 Comparative Politics (Asia Pacific)

ASIA2067 Economies of Emerging Asia

ASIA2301 Prehistoric Origins: Archaeology of Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2302 Culture and Modernity in Asia: Anthropological Perspectives

ASIA2304 What is Literature? Asian Perspectives

ASIA2307 History of Empire in Asia

ASIA2308 Linguistic Histories in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2311 Gender and Cultural Studies in Asia and the Pacific

INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

STST2001 International Security issues in the Asia Pacific

24 units from completion of language courses from one of the following lists:

Arabic Language

ARAB1002 Introductory Arabic A

ARAB1003 Introductory Arabic B

ARAB2011 Intermediate Arabic A

ARAB2012 Intermediate Arabic B

ARAB3001 Advanced Arabic A

ARAB3002 Advanced Arabic B

Burmese Language

BURM1002 Burmese 1

BURM1003 Burmese 2

BURM2001 Burmese 3

BURM2002 Burmese 4

Chinese Language

CHIN1012 Modern Chinese 1A: Spoken Chinese

CHIN1013 Modern Chinese 1B: Written Chinese

CHIN2022 Modern Chinese 2A: Spoken Chinese

CHIN2023 Modern Chinese 2B: Written Chinese

CHIN3020 Modern Chinese 3

CHIN3021 Modern Chinese 4

CHIN3022 Modern Chinese 5

CHIN3023 Modern Chinese 6

CHIN3024 Modern Chinese 7

CHIN3025 Modern Chinese 8

CHIN3041 Case Studies in Translation: Chinese/English

CHIN3211 Advanced Readings in Chinese A

CHIN3212 Advanced Readings in Chinese B

CHIN3216 Chinese-English Interpreting

French Language and Culture

FREN1003 Introductory French I

FREN1004 Introductory French II

FREN2024 Continuing French I

FREN2025 Continuing French II

FREN3006 Intermediate French I

FREN3007 Intermediate French II

FREN3008 Advanced French Topics

FREN3107 Current Affairs and the French Press (Advanced)

Hindi Language

HIND1100 Hindi 1A

HIND1200 Hindi 1B

HIND2300 Hindi 2A

HIND2400 Hindi 2B

HIND3500 Hindi 3A

HIND3600 Hindi 3B

Indonesian Language

INDN1002 Indonesian 1A

INDN1003 Indonesian 1B

INDN2002 Indonesian 2A

INDN2003 Indonesian 2B

INDN3002 Indonesian 3A

INDN3003 Indonesian 3B

Japanese Language

JPNS1012 Spoken Japanese 1

JPNS1013 Spoken Japanese 2

JPNS1014 Written Japanese A

JPNS1015 Written Japanese B

JPNS2012 Spoken Japanese 3

JPNS2013 Spoken Japanese 4

JPNS2014 Written Japanese C

JPNS2015 Written Japanese D

JPNS3005 Advanced Japanese: Issues in Contemporary Japan

JPNS3006 Advanced Japanese: Language in Context

JPNS3007 Advanced Japanese: Readings in Culture and Society

JPNS3008 Advanced Japanese: Readings in Literature

JPNS3023 Advanced Readings in Japanese History

JPNS3024 Advanced Readings in Japanese Law

Korean Language

KORE1020 Modern Korean 1

KORE1021 Modern Korean 2

KORE2521 Modern Korean 3

KORE2522 Modern Korean 4

KORE3012 Modern Korean 5

KORE3013 Modern Korean 6

Literary Chinese Language

CHIN3030 Literary Chinese 1

CHIN3031 Literary Chinese 2

CHIN3015 Advanced Literary Chinese

Mongolian Language

MNGL1002 Mongolian 1A

MNGL1003 Mongolian 1B

MNGL2002 Mongolian 2A

MNGL2003 Mongolian 2B

Portuguese Language

PORT1001 Introductory Portuguese I

PORT1002 Introductory Portuguese II

PORT2001 Continuing Portuguese I

PORT2002 Continuing Portuguese II

Sanskrit Language

SKRT1002 Sanskrit 1A

SKRT1003 Sanskrit 1B

SKRT2103 Sanskrit 2A

SKRT2104 Sanskrit 2B

SKRT2105 Sanskrit 3A

SKRT2106 Sanskrit 3B

Spanish Language

SPAN1001 Introduction to Spanish I

SPAN1002 Introduction to Spanish II

SPAN2001 Continuing Spanish I

SPAN2002 Continuing Spanish II

SPAN3001 Intermediate Spanish I

SPAN3012 Intermediate Spanish II (Language and Culture)

SPAN3022 Intermediate Spanish II (Language and Linguistics)

Tetum Language

TETM1002 Tetum 1

TETM1003 Tetum 2

TETM2004 Tetum 3

TETM2005 Tetum 4

Thai Language

THAI1002 Thai 1A

THAI1003 Thai 1B

THAI2002 Thai 2A

THAI2003 Thai 2B

THAI3002 Thai 3A

THAI3008 Advanced Readings in Thai Language and Culture

Vietnamese Language

VIET1002 Vietnamese 1A

VIET1003 Vietnamese 1B

VIET2002 Vietnamese 2A

VIET2003 Vietnamese 2B

VIET3002 Vietnamese 3A

VIET3003 Vietnamese 3B

48 units from completion of majors, minors and courses offered by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

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 must also be counted towards completion of any other requirements for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory

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

POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2126 Democracy: Its causes and consequences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective

POLS3031 Comparative Judicial Politics

POLS3034 Comparative Political Parties and Party Systems

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science

PHIL2080 Logic

PHIL2113 Global Justice

PHIL2121 Philosophical Logic

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

ECHI3008 History of Economic Thought(P)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

ECON2013 Behavioral Economics

ECON2014 Managerial Economics

ECON2026 Money and Banking

ECON2120 Law and Economics(P)

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

INDG3003 The Indigenous Economy

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

ANIP Australian National Internship

ECON Economics

PHIL Philosophy

POLS Political Science

ASIA2090 The Political Economy of Myanmar

Majors

Bachelor of Asian Studies Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Asian Studies Minors

Honours

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