Want to make positive changes and help the Third World? The ANU Bachelor of Development Studies is the right degree for you.

ANU is a leader in the field of Development Studies and has established relationships with Australian and international aid and development organisations.

You will gain an inter-disciplinary understanding of theory and practice concerning the processes of development in the Third World, with special competence concerning one or two of four areas: Central Asia and the Middle East, China, Oceania, South and Southeast Asia, together with a solid background in one of the relevant social science disciplines.

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.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates have opportunities to work in a broad range of sectors. Some of these include aid agencies, multi-national companies, non-government organisations, government departments and international bodies, such as the United Nations.

Graduates have opportunities to work in a broad range of sectors. Some of these include aid agencies, multi-national companies, non-government organisations, government departments and international bodies, such as the United Nations.

Learning Outcomes

1. identify the theory and principles of development;

2. analyse the practice of development through multilateral, bilateral, government and non-government agencies;

3. recall critical development issues in particular regions of the South; and

4. engage in one of the social science disciplines or a language other than English.

1. identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them;

2. have a thorough understanding of the historical development of the global system;

3. demonstrate an understanding of the principal actors in contemporary global politics and the challenges they face;

4. understand the principal factors that determine the foreign policies of major powers and of Australia; and

5. reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of International Relations.

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 Development 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:

A maximum of 24 units from completion of undergraduate introductory courses from the following list:

ANTH1002 Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology (6 units)

ANTH1003 Global Citizen: Culture, Development and Inequality (6 units)

ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: Power, Diversity and Change (6 units)

ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in Motion (6 units)

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts (6 units)

POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues (6 units)

SOCY1002 Self and Society (6 units)

SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology (6 units)

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ANTH2009 Culture and Development (6 units)

POLS2011 Development and Change (6 units)

SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development (6 units)

A minimum of 24 units from completion of Development Studies courses from the following list:

ANTH2017 Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today (6 units)

ANTH2026 Medicine, Healing and the Body (6 units)

ANTH2129 Crossing Borders: Migration, Identity and Livelihood (6 units)

ANTH2134 States and Citizens: Anthropological Perspectives (6 units)

ANTH3014 Indonesia Field School: Contemporary Change in Indonesia (6 units)

ANTH3017 Indigenous Worlds: Challenges of Emergence, Recognition, and Change (6 units)

ASIA2067 Economies of Emerging Asia (6 units)

ASIA2090 Study Tour: The Political Economy of Myanmar (6 units)

ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development (6 units)

BIAN2120 Culture, Biology and Population Dynamics (6 units)

ECHI2006 The World Economy Since 1800 (P)

ECON2900 Development Poverty and Famine (6 units)

ENVS2005 Island Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School (6 units)

ENVS2017 Vietnam Field School (6 units)

ENVS2023 Sustainable Agricultural Systems (6 units)

ENVS2025 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management (6 units)

ENVS3007 Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities and Stakeholders (6 units)

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy (6 units)

INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia (6 units)

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East (6 units)

PASI3001 Politics and Development in the Contemporary Pacific (6 units)

PASI3005 Pacific Islands Field School (6 units)

POLS2055 Pacific Politics (6 units)

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy (6 units)

POLS2095 Politics in Latin America (6 units)

POLS2101 Refugee Politics: Displacement and Exclusion in the 20th and 21st Centuries (6 units)

POLS2113 Human Rights (6 units)

POLS3070 Politics in Central Asia (6 units)

SOCY2022 Environmental Sociology (6 units)

SOCY2055 Social Inequality in Comparative Perspective (6 units)

SOCY2162 Sociology of Health and Illness (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of advanced-level courses from the following list:

ANTH3014 Indonesia Field School: Contemporary Change in Indonesia (6 units)

ANTH3017 Indigenous Worlds: Challenges of Emergence, Recognition, and Change (6 units)

ENVS3007 Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities and Stakeholders (6 units)

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy (6 units)

INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia (6 units)

PASI3001 Politics and Development in the Contemporary Pacific (6 units)

PASI3005 Pacific Islands Field School (6 units)

Either:

24 units from completion of one of the following complementary minors:

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Chinese Language

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Japanese Language

Advanced Korean Language

Advanced Persian

Advanced Spanish Studies

Anthropology

Arabic

Burmese Language

Chinese Language

Environmental Studies

French Language and Culture

Geography

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Human Ecology

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Korean Language

Mongolian Language

Persian

Political Science

Russian

Sociology

Spanish

Tetum Language

Thai Language

Tok Pisin Language

Vietnamese Language

Or:

24 units from completion of an internship

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:

24 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

POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis

A minimum of 6 units from the following theory courses:

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2102 Political Belief and Deceit

POLS2119 Ideas in Politics

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

POLS3017 International Relations Theory

POLS3032 The Politics of Empire

A minimum of 6 units from the following methods courses:

POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science

POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2137 Meaning in Politics: Interpretation, Method and Critique

POLS3045 Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science Research

SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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

EURO3002 Comparative European Politics

INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

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

POLS3040 Conflict and Change in Sub-Saharan Africa

A minimum of 12 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

POLS2136 Power and Influence in world politics

POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict

POLS3036 International Terrorism

STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies

STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific

STST2124 Politics of Nuclear Weapons

STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands

STST3002 Australia's Security in the Asian Century

A minimum of 12 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

POLS2100 Genocide in the Modern World

POLS2101 Refugee Politics: Displacement and Exclusion in the 20th and 21st Centuries

POLS2113 Human Rights

POLS2133 International Organisations in World Politics

POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation

POLS3004 Emotions in International Politics

POLS3035 The Politics of International Law

POLS3037 Globalisation: Communications, Culture and Democracy

SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development

A maximum of 12 units from the following internships and Vice-Chancellor's courses:

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

A maximum of 24 units from courses in the following language minors:

Advanced Chinese Language 

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

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

Minors

Bachelor of Development Studies Minors

Bachelor of International Relations Minors

Study Options