Can you see yourself bustling to work through the streets of Paris, Glasgow, Munich, London, Madrid or Norway? If you are interested in the social, political and cultural structure of contemporary Europe - this program is for you.

The Bachelor of European Studies focuses on the foundations of modern Europe, bearing in mind its long history and how this has shaped contemporary European societies. It also considers the innovative aspects of recent developments, particularly the possibilities for cooperation and unity as well as the tensions between diverse traditions.

You will study a European language and travel to Europe for ‘in-country’ study at a partner institution. With our flexible program you can also extend your chosen language subject into a major.

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.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates may find work in policy development, government, private business, foreign affairs, tourism, trade, and many other fields.

Graduates may find work in policy development, government, private business, foreign affairs, tourism, trade, and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped Europe,

2. identify and critique the contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of Europe,

3. analyse current debates relating to regional cooperation and unity in the context of tensions in traditions,

4. analyse the global significance of events and developments in Europe, and

5. communicate in a European language. 

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

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 guarantee entry into 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.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
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. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further 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 European 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:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

EURO1004 Europe in the Modern Era (6 units)

EURO2012 Uniting Europe: History, Politics, Theory (6 units)

EURO3002 Comparative European Politics (6 units)

HIST1214 Empires in Global History: 1200 to the Present (6 units)

12 units from completion of European History courses from the following list:

HIST2133 Race and Racism in Western Culture, c. 1450-1950 (6 units)

HIST2136 World at War, 1939-1945 (6 units)

HIST2141 The Cold War: 1945-1989 (6 units)

HIST2205 Europe and the Atlantic World, c.1492–1776 (6 units)

HIST2214 The Great War, 1914-1918 (6 units)

HIST2219 Tudor-Stuart England, c.1485-1714: Politics, Society and Culture (6 units)

HIST2220 Western Europe in the Later Middles Ages, c. 1348-1500 (6 units)

HIST2221 The Birth of Modernity: Britain 1688-1848 (6 units)

HIST2223 The French Revolution and Napoleon (6 units)

HIST2226 Nazi Germany (6 units)

HIST2228 The Enlightenment: Europe and the World 1660-1800 (6 units)

HIST2238 Human Rights in History (6 units)

HIST2240 Democracy and Dissent: Europe Since 1945 (6 units)

HIST2242 The Soviet Union: From the Russian Revolution to the Collapse of Communism (6 units)

12 units from completion of Contemporary Europe courses from the following list:

BUSI2034 Dynamics of European Business

ENGL2101 Modern European Theatre

GERM2020 Contemporary German Society

LING2022 Language Policy and Language Politics

MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security

MEAS2003 Modern Turkey: History, Politics and Culture

PHIL2059 Love Death and Freedom (20th Century French Phenomenology)

POLS2025 Politics in Britain

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

SOCY2055 Social Inequality in Comparative Perspective

Either:

48 units from completion of one of the following language majors

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Italian Language and Culture

Spanish

Or

24 units from completion of one of the following language minors

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Italian Language and Culture

Russian

Spanish

24 units from completion of one of the following:

an in-country study abroad component/exchange in the same language as the minor

Internship undertaken in the same language as the minor

Or

24 units from completion of one of the following advanced language minors:

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Spanish Studies

24 units from completion of courses from any of the following majors and minors:

Advanced French Studies Minor

Advanced German Studies Minor

Advanced Italian Studies Minor

Advanced Spanish Studies Minor

Ancient Greek Major

Ancient History Major

ANU Leadership and Research Minor

Art History and Theory Major

Contemporary Europe Major

Demography Minor

Digital Humanities Major

Economic Studies Major

English Major

Environmental Studies Major

French Language and Culture Major

Gender, Sexuality and Culture Major

German Language and Culture Major

Heritage and Museum Studies Minor

History Major

International Communication Major

International Relations Major

Italian Language and Culture Major

Latin Major

Music Major

Music Technology Major

Philosophy Major

Political Science Major

Russian Minor

Screen Studies Minor

Social Research Methods Minor

Sociology Major

Spanish Major

War Studies 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:

EURO3002 Comparative European Politics

POLS3022 Washington DC Internship

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective

POLS3031 Comparative Judicial Politics

POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict

POLS3036 International Terrorism

POLS3038 Media and Politics

POLS3039 Political Leadership and Executive Government

POLS3040 Conflict and Change in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2102 Political Belief and Deceit

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

POLS2137 Meaning in Politics: Interpretation, Method and Critique

POLS3045 Qualitative Methods in Political Science Research

SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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

POLS2002 Public Policy: Theory and Practice

POLS2009 Bureaucracy, Politics and Power

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:

HIST2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History

HIST2227 Australian Political 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 and Dictatorship

POLS2134 Gender and Politics

POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation

POLS3037 Globalisation: 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

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

ECON2060 Economic Reasoning for Government

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 A

ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program B

VCUG2001 Creating Knowledge

VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World

VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity

VCUG3002 Mobilising Research

Majors

Bachelor of European Studies Majors

Minors

Bachelor of European Studies Minors

Study Options

Honours

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