Program Requirements
The Graduate Certificate of Political Science requires the completion of 24 units which must consist of:
A minimum of 12 units from the following discipline courses:
POLS8019 Democracy and its Discontents
POLS8038 Comparative Political Institutions
POLS8039 Comparative Political Behaviour
POLS8043 Violence and Political Order
POLS8027 Terrorism and Counterterrorism
POGO8402 Political Institutional Architecture of Public Policy
A maximum of 12 units from the following methods courses:
POLS8058 Research Design in Political Science
POLS8042 Quantitative Research for Political Science
POLS8048 Intermediate Quantitative Research in Politics
POLS8044 Qualitative Research in Politics
POLS8047 Interpretation, Method, Critique: Interpretivist Methods in the Social Sciences
A maximum of 6 units from completion of 8000-level courses from the following subject areas:
POGO - Public Policy
POLS - Comparative and Australian Politics
SOCR - Social Research
STAT - Research Methods
Admission Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
- Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7; or
- Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or
- Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or
- 24 units of courses in a postgraduate program a GPA of 4/7; or
- GRE General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
- A minimum 5 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.
In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.
Academic achievement & English language proficiency
The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4.5/7.0.
If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of applicants demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Further information: English Language Requirements for Admission
Diversity factors
As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.
Assessment of qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.
Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
Indicative Program Fees
A discount is available for domestic students for this program
Discounted Indicative fees $7252
Domestic tuition fees (DTF) - indicative fees $16440
For more information see Fees and Payment page
Indicative fees
Domestic Tuition Fees (DTF)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $23,455.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
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.
The Graduate Certificate of Political Science will equip students with an in-depth knowledge of contemporary political affairs and provides you with the analytical frameworks and research skills needed to understand the modern political landscape.
It enables students to address a range of critical questions, such as: What motivates voters to support populist candidates? How can election outcomes be more accurately forecast? What is the source of ethnic conflicts and how can it be best understood?
The program will be of interest to those intending to pursue research-oriented careers in government, international organisations, NGOs and private bodies, and to those intending further study in the field.
NOTE: A discount is available for domestic students for this program.
Graduate Certificate Fee Discount – Domestic applicants offered a place in this Graduate Certificate commencing their studies in 2021 will be eligible for reduced course fees as indicated on the Admissions and Fees tab. This fee will apply to courses completed in this Graduate Certificate within 2021 and the first half of 2022 allowing you to study part time. If you do not complete by mid-2022 the remainder of your subjects will be billed on a full-fee basis from second semester 2022 (including winter/spring sessions).
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
This program is available for applications to commence from First Semester, 2021
Employment Opportunities
The program will be of interest to those intending to pursue careers in government, international organisations, NGOs and private bodies, and to those intending further study in the field
Learning Outcomes
Understand key theories in political science;
Identify and understand relevant political science methods;
Critically analyse evidence-based research and policy across a range of political issues;
Use theories and methods from political science to explain contemporary political affairs in Australia, Asia, and globally.
