Can you see yourself jet-setting the globe with a career in trade, foreign affairs, journalism, international business or research? You have found the right degree.
ANU is a leader in the field of International Relations.
Our program will introduce you to International Relations, initially via the broad historical and intellectual framework which has framed the modern world of states since the 17th century. It will then concentrate on the 20th century, the age of World Wars and the Cold War, before addressing contemporary issues, the age of global political economy, global culture and communication, global environmental concerns and post-Cold war political conflict, including the 'War on Terror'.
With our flexible program you can extend your chosen language subject into a major, and have the opportunity to go on exchange or an international/national internship.
As Australia’s engagement with the Pacific increases, so too does the need for graduates with Pacific expertise.
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies will provide you with a deep understanding of the diversity, history and contemporary issues of Oceania, so you can take a leading role in Pacific policy and development.
You will also have the opportunity to engage in internship and immersion programs in Oceania, boosting your language skills and expertise in the region.
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
- Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them;
- Have a thorough understanding of the historical development of the global system;
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principal actors in contemporary global politics and the challenges they face;
- Understand the principal factors that determine the foreign policies of major powers and of Australia;
- Reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of International Relations.
- Critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understand the global significance of Oceania as a region of diverse societies, cultures and languages;
- Demonstrate an understanding of diverse disciplinary approaches and methods drawn from the humanities, social sciences and environmental studies, to synthesize knowledge about Oceania and its place in the
world; - Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the diversity of indigenous, popular culture, policy and scholarly perspectives on and within Oceania;
- Evaluate knowledge and ideas and debate issues using academic and other approaches addressing a variety of scholarly, policy and public audiences;
- Exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems individually as well as collaboratively.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 90
- QLD Band:
- 6
- International Baccalaureate:
- 34
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. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of International Relations - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Pacific Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $43,680.00
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 International Relations 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:
36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts
POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues
POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy
POLS2133 International Organisations in World Politics
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis
POLS3017 International Relations Theory
A minimum of 6 units from the following theory courses:
POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory
POLS2102 The Political Belief and Deceit
POLS3032 The Politics of Empire
POLS2119 Ideas in Politics
POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory
POLS2136 Power and influence in world politics
A minimum of 6 units from the following methods courses:
POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science
POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
POLS2137 Meaning in Politics: Interpretation, Method and Critique
POLS3045 Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science Research*
A minimum of 12 units from the following areas studies courses:
ASIA1035 Introduction to Asian Politics
ASIA1999 The Origins of Political Order in Asia
ASIA2109 Violence, Poverty, and Politics in India
EURO1004 Europe in the Modern Era
EURO2012 Uniting Europe: history, politics, theory
INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific
INTR2028 Regionalism, Rights and Order in Southeast Asia
MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East
MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East
POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East
POLS2055 Pacific Politics
POLS2095 Politics in Latin America
POLS2117 The International Relations of Latin America
EURO3002 Comparative European Politics
POLS3040: Conflict and Change in sub-Saharan Africa
A minimum of 6 units from the following security courses:
ASIA2111 Indonesian Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2012 Chinese Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2014 Indian Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2016 US Foreign and Security Policy in Asia
INTR2018 Japanese Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2020 (In)Stability on the Korean Peninsula
INTR2024 Nuclear Politics in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities
POLS2123 Peace and Conflict Studies
POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict
POLS3036 International Terrorism
STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies
STST2001 International Security issues in the Asia Pacific
STST2124 Politics of Nuclear Weapons?
STST2131 Security Communities from War to Peace
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3002 Australia's Security in the Asian Century
A minimum of 6 units from the following global politics courses:
DEMO2003 Migration in the Modern World
DIPL2000 Leadership and Diplomacy
HIST1209 Terror to Terrorism: A History
HIST2136 World at War, 1939-1945
HIST2141 The Cold War: 1945-1989
HIST2240 Democracy and Dissent: Europe Since 1945
INTR3001 Humanitarianism: Principles, Politics and Practice
PHIL2113 Global Justice
POLS2011 Development and Change
POLS2064 Global Social Movements
POLS2100 Genocide in the Modern World
POLS2101 Refugee Politics: Displacement and Exclusion in the 20th and 21st Centuries
POLS2113 Human Rights
POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation
POLS3035 The Politics of International Law
POLS3037 Globalisation: Communications, Culture and Democracy
SOCY2030 Sociology of Third World Development
POLS3004 Emotions in International Politics
A maximum of 12 units from the following internships and VVice-Chancellors courses:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A
ANIP3005 Australian National Internship B
VCUG1001 The Art of Computing
VCUG2001 Creating Knowledge
VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity
VCUG3002 Mobilising Research
A maximum of 24 units from courses in the following language minors
Advanced Chinese Language
Advanced French Studies
Advanced German Studies
Advanced Hispanic Culture
Advanced Hispanic Linguistics
Advanced Italian Studies
Advanced Japanese Language
Advanced Korean Language
Advanced Spanish Studies
Arabic
Burmese Language
Chinese Language
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Japanese Linguistics
Korean Language
Mongolian Language
Russian
Persian
Spanish
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Vietnamese Language
Note (*): POLS3045 Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science Research will be available from 2021.
The Bachelor of Pacific 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:
The 144 units must include:
24 units from the following compulsory courses:
PASI1011 - Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies
PASI1012 - Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania
PASI2001 - Pacific Studies in a Globalising World
PASI3001 - The Contemporary Pacific: Society, Politics and Development
A minimum of 6 units from the following 3000 level PASI-coded courses:
PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific
PASI3005 - Pacific Islands Field School
PASI3010 - Pacific Engagement Project
PASI3012 - Readings in Indigenous Studies
PASI3013 - Environment and Development in the Pacific
A minimum of 12 units from the following thematic lists:
History and Archaeology
ASIA2301 - Human migration and expansion in the rise of the Asia-Pacific
ARCH2005 - Archaeology of the Pacific Islanders
HIST2231 - Exploration: Columbus to the Moon
PASI2002 - Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries
PASI2006 - War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific
Politics, international relations and security
ASIA2087 - Peace Building in the Pacific and Asia
ASIA2093 - Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific
INTR2010 - International Relations in the Asia-Pacific
PASI2030 - Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development
PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific
POLS2055 - Pacific Politics
STST2001 - International Security issues in the Asia Pacific
STST2003 - Australia and Security in the Pacific
Environment and resources
ASIA2093 - Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA2301 - Human Migration and Expansion in the Rse of the Asia-Pacific
ENVS2005 - Islands Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School
PASI2030 - Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development
PASI3013 - Environment and Development in the Pacific
Culture, literature and language
ASIA2001 - Language in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA2308 - Linguistic Histories in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA3053 - The Death of God in the Asia-Pacific
PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific
PASI3005 - Pacific Islands Field School
A maximum of 24 units from one of the following minors of languages spoken in the Pacific:
French Language and Culture Minor
Tetum Language Minor
Tok Pisin Language Minor
24 units from completion of one of the following minors:
Languages spoken in the Pacific or of historical and community importance:
Chinese language
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Indonesian language
Japanese language
Tetum Language
Tok Pisin Language
Spanish
Disciplinary and regional studies minors of relevance to the study of the Pacific Islands:
Archaeology
Art History and Theory
Asia-Pacific International Relations
Asian history
Asian Art History
Asian and Pacific Anthropology
Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Anthropology
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biodiversity and Conservation Management
Climate Science and Policy
Comparative Politics
Demography
Development Studies
Digital Humanities
Economic Studies
Environmental Policy
Environmental Studies
Gender and Sexuality
Geography
Heritage and Museum Studies
History
Human Rights
Indonesian Studies
International Relations
Linguistics
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Political Theory
Popular Music
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Visual Arts Practice
War Studies
A maximum of 6 units from the completion of courses from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses or the following list:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A
ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship
ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship
ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship
ASIA3024 Editor’s practicum: online public engagement, academic blogging and digital disruption
ESEN1101 Essential University English
HIST1250 Big History
LING2107 Advanced Academic English
Minors
Bachelor of International Relations Minors
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Minors
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History and Theory
- Asian and Pacific Anthropology
- Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
- Asian Art History
- Asian History
- Asia-Pacific International Relations
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management
- Chinese Language
- Climate Science and Policy
- Demography
- Development Studies
- Digital Humanities
Study Options
| Year 1 | POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | Any 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | - | - |
| POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | Any 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | - | - | |
| Year 2 | POLS2133 International Organisations in World Politics 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | - | - |
| POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | - | - | |
| Year 3 | POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | - | - |
| POLS3017 International Relations Theory 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | - | - | |
| Year 4 | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | - | - |
| Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 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 International Relations 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 International Relations you will need to complete:
- Six compulsory courses (36 units)
- A minimum of one theory course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one methods course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of two areas studies courses from the designated list (12 units)
- A minimum of one security course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one global politics course from the designated list (6 units)
- Up to 12 units from the internships and Vice Chancellors courses from the designated list
- Up to four courses from the designated Language minors list (24 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 International Relations. 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 International Relations 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 International Relations degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.
You will need to complete:
- Six compulsory courses (36 units)
- A minimum of one theory course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one methods course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of two areas studies courses from the designated list (12 units)
- A minimum of one security course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one global politics course from the designated list (6 units)
- Up to 12 units from the internships and Vice Chancellors courses from the designated list
- Up to four courses from the designated Language minors list (24 units)
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of International Relations. 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. 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 International Relations half of the double degree.
In your first year you need to enrol in:
- The following compulsory courses:
- POLS1005 - Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts
- POLS1006 - Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues
- Depending on your interests and in keeping with the program requirements, courses from the area studies, security, and language minor lists:
- ASIA1035 - Introduction to Asian Politics
- ASIA1999 - The Origins of Political Order in Asia
- EURO1004 - Europe in the Modern Era
- MEAS1001 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East
- STST1001 - Introduction to International Security Studies
- Language courses at the appropriate level
- 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 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 by searching ‘language placement test’ on ANU website.
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 | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Back to the Bachelor of Pacific Studies page
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies is offered through the School of Culture, History and Language. Upon completion of this degree, you will have developed specific knowledge of Pacific Studies and a range of transferable skills that will prepare you for work or further study.
Single degree
- This degree requires the completion of 144 units
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses is allowed
- 48 units must come from completion of the Pacific Studies major
- 24 units from completion of a minor approved by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- 72 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Double degree
- This degree requires the completion of 96 units
- A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses is allowed
- 48 units must come from completion of the Pacific Studies major
- 24 units from completion of a minor approved by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Pacific Studies single 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. Once you have fulfilled the requirements of the Pacific Studies major, you can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a subject of your choice.
Double degree
You will need to complete a minimum of 96 units towards the Bachelor of Pacific Studies degree but will also get to choose 4 courses (24 units) from other ANU Colleges.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.
Remember you will need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester. You will be able to change your enrolment in courses up until the end of week 2 of each semester without penalty.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
If you are intending to enrol into our language courses and have previous experience with the language you want to study, even if you think it might not be relevant or was too long ago, you need to sit a placement test for the College to ensure you are enrolled into the most appropriate level of language study.
Relevant past experience include:
- Previous study of the language
- Being exposed to the language in childhood
- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken
- The language being spoken in your home (even if you don’t speak it)
Languages available for the placement test:
- Indonesian
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Korean
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
Students in this degree must complete a Pacific Studies Major, and a minor from the following list:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Policy
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- History
- Human Ecology
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Chinese
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management
- Climate Science and Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Forest Science and Policy
- Geography
- Human Ecology
- Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
- Soil and Land Management
- Sustainable Development
- Water Science and Policy
- Philosophy
- Visual Arts Practice
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- History
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Chinese
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Environmental and Landscape Sciences
- Natural Resource Management
- Sustainability Science
- Philosophy
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements. Students who choose to do a second major will need to take the additional 24 units for their major from their electives.
To find 1000-level
courses, use the catalogue finder. Remember you can choose up to 8
courses from another ANU College at the University if you are
undertaking the single Bachelor of Pacific Studies program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Single Degree Study Plan
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PASI1011 Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level course 6 units | Elective 1000 level course 6 units |
| PASI1012 Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Elective 1000 level course 6 units | Elective 1000 level course 6 units |
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Double Degree Study Plan
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PASI1011 Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units |
| PASI1012 Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units |
Academic Advice
If after reading through these guidelines you are unsure about your which courses to enrol in, you can come to an academic advice session at Melville Hall during Orientation week.
If you are seeking status (credit) from previous study at another university you will need to come to an academic advice session at Melville Hall during Orientation week, and we will help you choose the correct courses for your first year.
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact Katerina Teaiwa at Katerina.Teaiwa@anu.edu.au