Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Public Policy requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must consist of:

36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON2060 Economic Reasoning for Government

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science

POLS2002 Public Policy: Theory and Practice

POLS2009 Bureaucracy, Politics and Power

POLS3041 Applied Policy Project

6 units from completion of qualitative methods courses from the following list:

POLS3045 Qualitative Methods in Political Science Research

SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of quantitative methods courses from the following list:

POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis

SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

A minimum of 24 units and maximum 48 units from completion of core public policy courses from the following list:

DEMO2001 Understanding Population Change

ENVS3028 Environmental Policy

INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia

LING2022 Language Policy and Language Politics

PHIL2122 Philosophy and Public Policy

POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice

SOCY3001 Research Internship

SOCR3001 Data for Decision Making

A maximum of 12 units from completion of internship courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A

ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program B

POLS3022 Washington DC Internship

SOCY3001 Research Internship

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

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.

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.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates my find work in the private and public sectors including banking, finance, politics, journalism, international affairs, diplomatic services, national and international law firms, non-government and non-profit organisations, academia, government and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

1. demonstrate understanding of differences in political systems and the contexts in which public policy operates;
   
2. apply concepts and theories used in the study of public policy;
   
3. apply a range of research methods to the investigation of public policy;
   
4. gather, analyse, and interpret economic data, social data, and statistics related to Australian public policies; and
   
5. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program.