Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Asian Studies requires 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:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: Power, Diversity and Change

ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in Motion

12 units from completion of courses in the following list:

ASIA2001 Language in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2018 Maps and Mapping in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2065 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes

ASIA2067 Asian Economies

ASIA2120 Colonialism and the Rule of Law

ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

ASIA2302 Culture and Modernity in Asia: Anthropological Perspectives

ASIA2304 What is Literature? Asian Perspectives

ASIA2307 History of Empire in Asia

ASIA2311 Gender and Cultural Studies in Asia and the Pacific

INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific

24 units from completion of language courses listed in one of the following majors and minors: 

Burmese (BURM)

Chinese (CHIN)

Hindi (HIND)

Indonesian (INDN)

Japanese (JPNS)

Korean (KORE)

Literary Chinese (CHIN)

Mongolian (MNGL)

Sanskrit (SKRT)

Tetum (TETM)

Thai (THAI)

Tibetan (TIBN)

Tok Pisin (TOKP)

Vietnamese (VIET)

48 units from completion of courses from the following contextual and language subject areas, majors and minors, of which a minimum of 6 units must come from completion of 3000-level non-language courses.  A maximum of 6 units may be taken from the experiential course list or from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses.

Area Studies 

Asian and Pacific Anthropology minor 

Asian and Pacific Archaeology minor 

Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender major 

Asian and Pacific Linguistics minor 

Asian and Pacific Literature and Film minor 

Asian History major 

Asia-Pacific International Relations major 

Asia-Pacific Politics major 

Asia-Pacific Security Studies major 

Chinese Studies major 

Indian and South Asian Studies major 

Indonesian Studies major 

Japanese Linguistics major 

Japanese Studies major 

Korean Studies major 

Northeast Asian Studies major 

Pacific Studies major 

Russian and Central Asian Studies minor 

Southeast Asian Studies major 

Languages 

Arabic Language major 

Burmese Language minor 

Chinese Language major 

French Language and Culture major 

Hindi Language major 

Indonesian Language major 

Japanese Language major 

Korean Language major 

Literary Chinese minor 

Mongolian Language minor 

Portuguese Language (PORT)

Sanskrit Language major 

Spanish Language major 

Tetum Language minor 

Thai Language major 

Tibetan Language minor

Tok Pisin Language minor 

Vietnamese Language major 

Disciplines  

Anthropology major 

Archaeology major 

Linguistics major 

Peace and Conflict Studies major 

A maximum of 6 units of experiential courses may come from the completion of courses from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses, or the following list: 

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A 

ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship 

ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship 

ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship 

LING2107 Advanced Academic English 

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Majors

Minors

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

In today's globalised world success for business, government and international organisations depends heavily on strong relationships with Asia. This means that employers across the globe now actively recruit graduates who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the region.

From the Kitchen Ninja on TV to Human Rights Lawyer, the global skills our students develop mean our graduates are found all over the world in exciting and challenging jobs across many fields including international relations or trade, development, government and policy, banking and finance, tourism, media, education, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, marketing and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understand the global significance of Asia as a region and as a composite of diverse societies and cultures;

2. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the regional diversity of the societies and cultures that make up Asia;

3. Exercise critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems, individually and in groups.

Further Information