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.

Are you a leader? The Australian National University is a leader too, especially in the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. This progressive and well-regarded degree will arm you with the moral, economic and political perspectives you need to make a real impact.

You will develop exceptional problem solving skills and critical and conceptual thinking, all while gaining a passport to some of the world’s most promising careers.

Learning Outcomes

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.

1. major philosophical theories and approaches to the evaluation of social institutions;

2. the methods of economics to the study of political institutions and processes;

3. the methods of economics to questions within political philosophy;

4. the assumptions, ‘tools’ and limitations of political economy; and

5. the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory.

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

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites. But assumed knowledge is: ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW: Mathematics or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here [https://www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria]

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 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

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 minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 12 units from the following cognate list:

ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program B

DEMO2001 Understanding Population Change

DEMO3001 Population Policy Case Studies

HIST1209 Terror to Terrorism: A History              

HIST2227 Australian Political History      

HIST2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History   

HIST2240 Democracy and Dissent: Europe Since 1945*  

*Please note that courses with asterisks are usually offered every second year.

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

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 6 units from completion of internship/Vice-Chancellors courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A

VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World

VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

48 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 (6 units)

ECON2101 Microeconomics 2 (6 units)

ECON3056 PPE Integration 3: Classic Literature in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (6 units)

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking (6 units)

PHIL2116 PPE Integration 2 (6 units)

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics (6 units)

POLS1008 PPE Integration 1 (6 units)

POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science (6 units)

6 units from completion of one of the following courses:

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction (6 units)

PHIL1008 Introduction to Ethics (6 units)

6 units from completion of one of the following courses:

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 (6 units)

ECON1100 Economics I (H) (6 units)

12 units from the completion of any 2000 or 3000 level POLS course of which at least 6 units must come from one of the courses on the following list:

POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying (6 units)

POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis (6 units)

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy (6 units)

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia (6 units)

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions (6 units)

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences (6 units)

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics (6 units)

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective (6 units)

POLS3039 Political Leadership and Executive Government (6 units)

12 units from the completion of any 2000 or 3000 level PHIL course of which at least 6 units must come from one of the courses on the following list:

PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice (6 units)

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science (6 units)

PHIL2122 Philosophy and Public Policy (6 units)

PHIL2125 Rationality and Social Cooperation (6 units)

PHIL2126 Science in Society: Ethics, Public Policy and Scientific Practice (6 units)

PHIL2290 Philosophy, AI and Society (6 units)

PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy (6 units)

PHIL3075 The Philosophy of Gender: Knowledge, Power, Bodies (6 units)

6 units from the completion of any 2000 or 3000 level ECON course.

6 units from the completion of any 2000 and 3000-level courses from the following subject areas and courses:

ECON Economics

PHIL Philosophy

POLS Political Science

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

Minors

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics Minors

Study Options