• Length 4 years full-time
  • Minimum 192 Units
Admission requirements
Prerequisites Adjustment factors availability
  • Academic plan BARTS / BPLSC
  • CRICOS code 079093D
  • UAC code 130010
  • Academic contact
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Political Science

The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some fifty majors, in fields throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences, is taught by truly outstanding scholars to ensure that each student receives the very best education, is engaged with cutting-edge research, and learns to think like a researcher. These majors can be coupled with more than seventy minors and specialisations to broaden or deepen your study. Regardless of your choices, your Arts degree will provide you with core skills in critical analysis and in written and oral communication, while developing your adaptability and ability to help shape change and prepare you for a multifaceted career or further study.

The Bachelor of Political Science is the only dedicated Political Science degree in Australia. The ANU has some of the world’s finest political scientists, and was the only Australian university to receive a 5 (“well above world class”) in both of the Excellence in Research for Australia’s reports. Located in the national capital, the ANU is the only university with a right to place interns in Australian Parliament House. The Bachelor of Political Science will give you the knowledge, theoretical understandings, and practical skills that underpin a successful career that engages with politics.

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.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
  2. identify, including through interrogation of databases, relevant sources of information from across a variety of media (print and digital, written and audio-visual) and judge the importance and reliability of those sources;
  3. evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
  4. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
  5. understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Political Science, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply concepts and theories used in the study of political science to the analysis of interests, ideas, institutions and behaviour and to the evaluation of political phenomena;
  2. Apply a range of research methods to the investigation of political phenomena;
  3. Demonstrate understanding of differences in political systems and the contexts in which they operate; and
  4. Communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media.

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 National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website is HERE. Based on surveys done by thousands of students across Australia you can find out about universities that interest you, doing side-by-side comparisons.

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:
90
QLD Band:
6
International Baccalaureate:
33

Domestic applicant entry requirements

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on an ATAR 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.

Prerequisites

Students who successfully complete the below program will be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts:
ELIBS Diploma of Liberal Studies (offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences)
 

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Subject and performance-based adjustments do not apply to programs with a minimum selection rank of 98 or higher. Visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Indicative fees

Domestic International

Bachelor of Arts - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Bachelor of Political Science - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

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

Annual indicative fee for international students
$40,416.00

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 Arts 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:

48 units from the completion of one Arts major from any of the following lists:

Disciplines and Fields
Ancient History
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art History and Theory
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biological Anthropology
Criminology
Development Studies
Digital Humanities
Economic Studies
English
Environmental Studies
Gender, Sexuality and Culture
Geography
Global Security
History
Human Evolutionary Biology
Human Rights
International Communication
International Relations
Linguistics
Mathematics
Music
Music Technology
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
War Studies

Languages
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Chinese Language
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Japanese Linguistics
Korean Language
Latin
Persian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Thai Language
Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies
Asian Studies
Asian History
Asia-Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Chinese Studies
Contemporary Europe
India Studies
Indonesian Studies
Japanese Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies

Either:

24 units from the completion of one Arts minor on any of the following lists:

Disciplines and Fields
Advanced Studies
Ancient History
Anthropology
ANU Leadership and Research
Applied Linguistics
Archaeology
Art History and Theory
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biological Anthropology
Climate Science and Policy
Comparative Politics
Criminology
Demography
Design
Development Studies
Digital Humanities
Economic Studies
English
Environmental Policy
Environmental Studies
Film
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Linguistics
Gender and Sexuality
Geography
Global Security
Health, Medicine and the Body
Heritage and Museum Studies
History
Human Ecology
Human Evolutionary Biology
Human Rights
International Communication
International Relations
Linguistics
Mathematics
Music
Music Technology
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy and Science
Philosophy
Political Science
Political Theory
Popular Music
Social Psychology
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Visual Arts Practice
War Studies

Languages
Advanced Ancient Greek
Advanced Arabic
Advanced Chinese Language
Advanced English Language
Advanced French Studies
Advanced German Studies
Advanced Hispanic Culture
Advanced Hispanic Linguistics
Advanced Italian Studies
Advanced Japanese Language
Advanced Korean Language
Advanced Latin
Advanced Persian
Advanced Sanskrit Language
Advanced Spanish Studies
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Burmese Language 
Chinese Language 
Classical Chinese
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Japanese Linguistics
Korean Language
Latin
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies
American Studies
Asian and Pacific Anthropology
Asian and Pacific Linguistics 
Asian Art History
Asian History
Asian Studies
Asia-Pacific Archaeology
Asia-Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Asia-Pacific International Relations
Asia-Pacific Literature and Film
Asia-Pacific Politics
Australian Politics
Chinese Studies
Contemporary Europe
India Studies
Indonesian Studies
Japanese Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies

24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor and the following list:

ESEN1101 Essential University English

Or:

24 units from completion of ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D
 

24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor and the following list:

ESEN1101 Essential University English.

Or:

48 units from completion of a second Arts major
 

The Bachelor of Political Science flexible double degree component requires the 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:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics
POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS2119 Ideas in Politics

A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective
POLS3022 Washington DC Internship
POLS3034 Comparative Political Parties and Party Systems
POLS3030 Contemporary Politics of Brazil
POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict
POLS3036 International Terrorism
POLS3038 Media and Politics
POLS3039 Political Leadership and Executive Government
EURO3002 Comparative European Politics

A minimum of 12 units from completion of political theory and political philosophy courses from the following list:

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction
PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice
PHIL2113 Global Justice
PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill
POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory
POLS2102 The Political Philosophy of Deception
POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

A minimum of 12 units from completion of methodology courses from the following list:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An Introduction to Game Theory
POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

A minimum of 12 units from completion of Australian politics courses from the following list:

POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy
POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia
POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions
POLS2121 Ideas in Australian Politics

A maximum of 6 units from completion of Australian political history courses from the following list:

HIST2227 Australian Political History
HIST2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History
 
A minimum of 12 units from completion of comparative politics courses from the following list:

ASIA2065 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes
POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying
POLS2126 Democracy: Its Causes and Consequences
POLS2134 Gender and Politics
POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation
POLS3037 Globalization: Communications, Culture and Democracy

A maximum of 6 units from completion of area studies courses from the following list:

ASIA2026 The Politics of China
ASIA2031 Japanese Politics
ASIA2049 Politics and Society in Contemporary Korea
ASIA2070 Democracy in Southeast Asia
ASIA2109 Violence, Poverty, and Politics in India
ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development
EURO2012 Uniting Europe: history, politics, theory
MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
POLS2025 Politics in Britain
POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East
POLS2055 Pacific Politics
POLS2069 Politics in Russia
POLS2070 Politics in Central Asia
POLS2095 Politics in Latin America
POLS2127 U.S. Politics

A minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 units from completion of political economy courses from the following list:


ASIA2090 Study Tour: The Political Economy of Myanmar
ECON2013 Behavioural Economics
MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East
POLS2011 Development and Change
POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy

A maximum of 12 units from completion of internship/Vice-Chancellors courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A
ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program Internship B
VCUG2001 Creating Knowledge
VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity
VCUG3002 Mobilising Research

Majors

Bachelor of Arts Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Arts Minors

Study Options

Year 1 Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units POLS1002 Introduction to Politics 6 units Political Theory and political philosophy list Course 6 units
Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science 6 units Another course from specified lists 6 units
Year 2 Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units POLS2119 Ideas in Politics 6 units Political Theory and political philosophy list Course 6 units
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis 6 units Comparative Politics list Course 6 units
Year 3 Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arts Elective 6 units Comparative Politics list Course 6 units Australian Politics list Course 6 units
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arts Elective 6 units Another course from specified lists 6 units Political Economy list Course 6 units
Year 4 Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arts Elective 6 units Methodology list Course 6 units Another course from specified lists 6 units
Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units Arts Elective 6 units Methodology list Course 6 units Australian Politics list Course 6 units

Honours

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

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Political Science (Honours)

Single degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Arts consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.

For the Bachelor of Arts you will need to complete:

  • One Arts major from the designated list (48 units)
  • One Arts minor and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    An Internship and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    A second Arts major (48 units)
  • Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Arts. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Double degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Arts Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of Arts degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.

You will need to complete:

  • One Arts major from the designated list (48 units)
  • One Arts minor and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    An Internship and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    A second Arts major (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Arts. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Enrolment Status

While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four 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.

First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.

If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.




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. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.

You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Arts half of the double degree.

In your first year you need to enrol in:

  • 1000-level courses from your Arts major
  • 1000-level courses from your Arts minor or second Arts major
  • Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.

Electives

For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. If you have an interest in another discipline, for example management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in your area of interest. In particular look at the majors and minors. These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.

If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details.




Study Options

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
- - - -

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
- - - -

Single degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Political Science consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count PHIL1004 towards the political theory and political philosophy list and the philosophy major.

For the Bachelor of Political Science you will need to complete:

  • Four compulsory courses (24 units)
  • A minimum of one course from the designated list (6 units)
  • A minimum of two political theory and political philosophy courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • A minimum of two methodology courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • A minimum of two Australian politics course from the designated list (12 units)
  • A maximum of one Australian political history course from the designated list (6 units)
  • A minimum of two comparative politics courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • A maximum of one area studies course from the designated list (6 units)
  • A minimum of one course and a maximum of two political economy courses from the designated list (6 units)
  • A maximum of two internship/ Vice-Chancellors courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Political Science. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.


Double degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Political Science Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of Political Science degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count PHIL1004 towards the political theory and political philosophy list and the philosophy major.

You will need to complete:

  • Four compulsory courses (24 units)
  • A minimum of one course from the designated list (6 units)
  • A minimum of two political theory and political philosophy courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • A minimum of two methodology courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • A minimum of two Australian politics course from the designated list (12 units)
  • A maximum of one Australian political history course from the designated list (6 units)
  • A minimum of two comparative politics courses from the designated list (12 units)
  • A maximum of one area studies course from the designated list (6 units)
  • A minimum of one course and a maximum of two political economy courses from the designated list (6 units)
  • A maximum of two internship/ Vice-Chancellors courses from the designated list (12 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Political Science. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Enrolment Status

While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four 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.

First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.

If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.




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. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.

You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Political Science half of the double degree.

In your first year you need to enrol in:

  • Following compulsory courses:
    • POLS1002 - Introduction to Politics
    • POLS1009 - Research and Writing in Political Science
  • 1000-level courses from the designated course lists
  • Second semester courses from the list you have not met the prerequisite for
  • Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

You are not required to take a major or a minor in the Bachelor of Political Science degree, however you can use your electives to make up a major or a minor.



Electives

For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College.  If you have an interest in another discipline such as management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in these areas. In particular look at the majors and minors in these areas.  These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.

If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details.




Study Options

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
- - - -

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
- - - -
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