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.

Studying international relations at ANU means you will be studying the best program of its kind in Australia and graduating with one of the most respected degrees in this field in the world.

The Master of International Relations is the only international relations program in Australia to focus on the Asia Pacific, and encourages you to engage with emerging ideas and practices from across our region through face-to-face seminars with globally-recognised experts.

Learning Outcomes

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.

Upon successful completion of a Master of International Relations, graduates will be able to:

1. Discuss the dynamics of contemporary international relations, especially in the Asia-Pacific region;
2. Discuss the key theories for the analysis of contemporary international relations;
3. Use international relations theory to reflect upon contemporary problems in areas such as international security, global governance, international political economy or human rights;
4. Conduct high-level research and writing to undertake self-directed study in international relations;
5. Analyse new areas of concern in both scholarly and policy-relevant terms;
6. Communicate their findings in academic and practical contexts, justifying their approach and methods in appropriate.

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 Politics, Philosophy and Economics requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units can come from the completion of 1000 level courses.

A minimum of 84 units must come from the completion of 2000 and 3000 level courses.

The 144 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

24 units from completion of the following introductory compulsory courses:

INTR8069 Writing International Relations 12 Units

INTR8071 World Politics 12 Units

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 96^th 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 International Relations 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

30 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

INTR8011 International Relations Theory

INTR8013 International Political Economy

INTR8032 Global Security

INTR8068 Making Foreign Policy

6 units from the completion of global political system courses from the following list:

ASIA8017 Comparative Politics of Asia & the Pacific

INTR8046 The Evolution of the International System

POLS8032 Globalisation: the Interaction of Economics and Politics

12 units from the completion of international politics, policy and security courses from the following list:

ASIA8017 Comparative Politics of Asia & the Pacific

ASIA8049 International History from Asia and the Pacific: Framing Critical Perspectives

DIPL8003 Case Studies in Diplomacy

DIPL8008 The United Nations and Peace

DIPL8009 Diplomacy in a Globalising World

INTR8018 Special Topics in International Relations

INTR8020 The Responsibility to Protect

INTR8022 Asia Pacific Security

INTR8036 World Politics

INTR8043 The Post-Colonial Pacific and Global Change

INTR8045 Global Governance

INTR8046 The Evolution of the International System

INTR8053 Ethics of Peace and War

INTR8060 China: Global Engagement and Domestic Transformation

INTR8062 Humanitarianism in World Politics

INTR8064 Gender, War, and Justice in South and Southeast Asia

INTR8065 Writing International Relations

INTR8068 Making Foreign Policy

INTR8067 U.S. Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific

INTR8072 Approaches and Methods in International Relations

INTR8073 Human Security

INTR8074 Chinese Thinking on International Relations

INTR8076 The History of International Thought

MEAS8111 Islam, the West and International Terrorism

MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

MEAS8115 Islam in World Politics

NSPO8006 National Security Policymaking

NSPO8010 Civil-Military Relations

NSPO8015 Asian Regionalism and Security: Implications for Australia

NSPO8017 Malicious Networks: Transnational Terrorism and Crime

POGO8045 International Policy Making in the Shadow of the Future

POLS8032 Globalisation: the Interaction of Economics and Politics

STST8051 Great and Powerful Friends: Strategic alliances and Australian security

Honours

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