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.
The Master of Diplomacy is your pathway to professional advancement, equipping you with knowledge about practices of international affairs and real-world skills to effectively represent your country or organisation at an international level.
The degree provides exciting study and career options in the important and prestigious arena of diplomatic practice. You will be taught by internationally recognised research scholars from the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy and senior diplomats from Australia and elsewhere, and you will graduate from a world-class university, positioning you firmly in the centre of a global network of leading scholars and policy-makers.
Employment Opportunities
Ideal for careers in the foreign ministries and in the international sections of other ministries - for example Australia Awards, Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration, Trade, Environment; IGOs - United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund; Journalism and NGOs such as the Red Cross.Ideal for careers in the foreign ministries and in the international sections of other ministries - for example Australia Awards, Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration, Trade, Environment; IGOs - United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund; Journalism and NGOs such as the Red Cross.Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Policy Studies, graduates will be able 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.
Upon successful completion of a Master of Diplomacy, graduates will be able to:
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Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of transnational diplomacy and its contemporary challenges, from the perspective of multiple actors, such as a civil service department, multilateral body, international corporation or non-government organisation;
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Display effective diplomatic skills with the ability to engage with transnational issues in a globalised environment with the use of negotiation, persuasion, advocacy and protocol
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Use theories of diplomatic studies to reflect upon the global management of the world’s problems through diplomatic dialogue, and the role of the use of force, and design multi-stakeholder processes that lead to solutions;
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Use high-level research and writing skills to undertake self-directed study in diplomacy and communicate findings in academic and practical contexts, justifying their approach and methods as appropriate.
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Use their knowledge and skills to analyse new areas of concern in both scholarly and policy-relevant terms;
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.
- ATAR:
- 80
- QLD Band:
- 10
- International Baccalaureate:
- 28
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.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Policy Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Master of Diplomacy - Domestic Tuition Fees (DTF)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Bachelor of Policy Studies Annual indicative fee for international students
- $36,720.00
- Master of Diplomacy Annual indicative fee for international students
- $39,024.00
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 Policy Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 144 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
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
DIPL8002 Contemporary Challenges in Diplomacy: Politics, Economics, Law, and Strategy
INTR8069 Writing International Relations
24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU
Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.
Students must complete the Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in order to commence the Master degree.
The Master of Diplomacy requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:
24 units of specified credit from graduate courses completed in the Bachelor degree
24 units of unspecified credit
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
DIPL8001 Transnational Diplomacy
DIPL8004 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
24 units from completion of diplomatic studies courses from the following list:
DIPL8000 Research Methods in Diplomacy
DIPL8003 Case Studies in Diplomacy
DIPL8006 Diplomacy, Politics and the United Nations
DIPL8008 The United Nations and Peace
DIPL8009 Diplomacy in a Globalising World*
DIPL8010 Harnessing Diplomacy for International Development*
DIPL8012 Special Topics in Diplomacy
Honours
For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Policy Studies (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 |