The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some fifty majors, in fields throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences, is taught by truly outstanding scholars to ensure that each student receives the very best education, is engaged with cutting-edge research, and learns to think like a researcher. These majors can be coupled with more than seventy minors and specialisations to broaden or deepen your study. Regardless of your choices, your Arts degree will provide you with core skills in critical analysis and in written and oral communication, while developing your adaptability and ability to help shape change and prepare you for a multifaceted career or further study.
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.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.
Learning Outcomes
- critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
- identify, including through interrogation of databases, relevant sources of information from across a variety of media (print and digital, written and audio-visual) and judge the importance and reliability of those sources;
- evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
- communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
- understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.
identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them;
have a thorough understanding of the historical development of the global system;
demonstrate an understanding of the principal actors in contemporary global politics and the challenges they face;
understand the principal factors that determine the foreign policies of major powers and of Australia; and
reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of International Relations.
Further Information
APAC accreditation and pathway to Honours in Psychology
This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) when students complete the accredited sequence of psychology courses. At ANU this includes minimum required learning achieved by successful completion of PSYC1003, PSYC1004, PSYC2001, PSYC2002, PSYC2007, PSYC2008, PSYC2009, PSYC3018, PSYC3025, PSYC3026 and an additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC courses. Students in an ANU BA who wish to be eligible for Honours in psychology must complete the specific set of courses that satisfy the APAC accreditation requirements.
APAC accreditation and pathway to Honours in Psychology
This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) when students complete the accredited sequence of psychology courses. At ANU this includes minimum required learning achieved by successful completion of PSYC1003, PSYC1004, PSYC2001, PSYC2002, PSYC2007, PSYC2008, PSYC2009, PSYC3018, PSYC3025, PSYC3026 and an additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC courses. Students in an ANU BA who wish to be eligible for Honours in psychology must complete the specific set of courses that satisfy the APAC accreditation requirements.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 85
- International Baccalaureate:
- 31
Prerequisites
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.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Arts - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of International Relations - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $46,680.00
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 Arts 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 consist of:
48 units from the completion of one of the following majors
MAJORS
Disciplines and Fields
Technology, Networks and Society
Languages
Geographically Defined Area Studies
Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Indian and South Asian Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
EITHER:
48 units from completion of a second major from the list above
OR
24 units from completion of one of the following minors, which must have a different name to the major
MINORS
Disciplines and Fields
Technology, Networks and Society
Languages
Geographically Defined Area Studies
Asian and Pacific Anthropology
Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Asian-Pacific International Relations
Asian and Pacific Literature and Film
Indian and South Asian Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
ANIP
ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D *
And 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
OR
48 units from completion of two of the above minors, which must have different names to the major
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
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 area studies courses:
ASIA1035 Introduction to Asian Politics
ASIA1999 The Origins of Political Order in Asia
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
MEAS2004 Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy
MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East
MEAS3004 Iran in World Politics
POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East
POLS2055 Pacific Politics
POLS2095 Politics in 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
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST2124 Politics of Nuclear Weapons
STST3002 Australia's Security in the Asian Century
A minimum of 6 units from the following global politics courses:
DEMO2003 Migration in the Modern World
DIPL2000 Leadership and Diplomacy
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
SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development
A minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 12 units from the following cognate list:
DEMO1001 Global Population Challenges
DEMO2003 Migration in the Modern World
HIST1209 Terror to Terrorism: A History
HIST1210 Environment and History from 1945
HIST2136 World at War, 1939-1945
HIST2141 The Cold War: 1945-1989*
HIST2240 Democracy and Dissent: Europe Since 1945*
HIST2226 Nazi Germany*
HIST2228 The Enlightenment: Europe and the World 1660-1800
HIST2242 The Soviet Union: From the Russian Revolution to the Collapse of Communism*
HIST2238 Human Rights in History*
MEAS3007 Syria in the Levant: State, Society and the Current Turmoil
MEAS3008 Egypt: Social and Political Dynamics in a Changing Middle East
*Please note that courses with asterisks are usually offered every second year.
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
VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity
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
Majors
Bachelor of Arts Majors
- Ancient Greek
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
- Asian History
- Asian Studies
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Biological Anthropology
- Chinese Language
- Chinese Studies
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Economic Studies
- English
- Environmental Studies
- French Language and Culture
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Global Security
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indian and South Asian Studies
- Indonesian Language
- Indonesian Studies
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Japanese Linguistics
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Language
- Korean Studies
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
- Music
- Music Technology
- Musicology
- Northeast Asian Studies
- Pacific Studies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Performance
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sanskrit Language
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Technology, Networks and Society
- Thai Language
- Vietnamese Language
- War Studies
Minors
Bachelor of Arts Minors
- Advanced Ancient Greek
- Advanced Arabic
- Advanced Chinese Language
- Advanced French Studies
- Advanced German Studies
- Advanced Italian Studies
- Advanced Japanese Language
- Advanced Korean Language
- Advanced Latin
- Advanced Persian
- Advanced Sanskrit Language
- Advanced Spanish Studies
- American Studies
- Ancient Greek
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Applied Linguistics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Archaeology of Aboriginal Australia in its Regional and Cultural Context
- Art History and Theory
- Asian and Pacific Anthropology
- Asian and Pacific Archaeology
- Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
- Asian and Pacific Linguistics
- Asian and Pacific Literature and Film
- Asian Art History
- Asian History
- Asian Studies
- Asia-Pacific International Relations
- Asia-Pacific Politics
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Australian Politics
- Biological Anthropology
- Burmese Language
- Chinese Language
- Chinese Studies
- Climate Science and Policy
- Composition, Arranging and Sound Design
- Contemporary Europe
- Criminology
- Demography
- Design
- Development Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Economic Studies
- English Language
- Environmental Policy
- Environmental Studies
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Linguistics
- French Language and Culture
- Gender and Sexuality
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Global Security
- Health, Medicine and the Body
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Ecology
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indian and South Asian Studies
- Indonesian Language
- Indonesian Studies
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Japanese Linguistics
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Language
- Korean Studies
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Literary Chinese
- Mathematics
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
- Mongolian Language
- Music
- Music Technology
- Musicology
- Northeast Asian Studies
- Pacific Studies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Performance
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Science
- Political Science
- Popular Music
- Russian
- Russian and Central Asian Studies
- Sanskrit Language
- Screen Studies
- Social Psychology
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Sustainable Development
- Technology, Networks and Society
- Tetum Language
- Thai Language
- Tibetan Language Minor
- Tok Pisin Language
- Vietnamese Language
- Visual Arts Practice
- War Studies
Bachelor of International Relations Minors
Study Options
| Year 1 | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 6 units |
| Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 6 units | |
| Year 2 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units |
| Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | |
| Year 3 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units |
| Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | |
| Year 4 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units |
| Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units |
Back to the Bachelor of Arts page
Course selection
Enrolling for the first time can seem like a big task. Below, you will find an example enrolment pattern for your first year of study.
There are a few items to note:
- Courses coded in the 1000 range are appropriate for first-year students. We strongly recommend that students new to tertiary study enrol in first-year courses during their first semester.
- We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you pick your later year courses.
- The tables below represent only one possible combination. You are welcome to pick and choose from any other 1000-coded course found under the “Study Tab”.
- The tables below assume you are new to tertiary study and ineligible for course credit.
Single degree
Students starting in Semester 1 or Semester 2 –single degree Bachelor of Arts, example
Semester 1
Arts major
Arts minor
Elective
Elective
Semester 2
Arts major
Arts minor
Elective
Elective
Search Programs and Courses for the full list of available Majors and Minors and select a 1000-level that contributes to that major/minor.
Other first year courses available: to find all other 1000-level courses, refer to the Catalogue of Programs and Courses. You may refine your selection on the right-hand column of the webpage.
Double degree
Students starting in Semester 1 or Semester 2 – double degree Bachelor of Arts, example
Semester 1
Arts major
Arts minor
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Semester 2
Arts major
Arts minor
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Electives
Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Arts major | Arts minor | Elective | Elective |
| Arts major | Arts minor | Elective | Elective |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Arts major | Arts minor | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
| Arts major | Arts minor | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
Academic Advice
Course credit
If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.
Other important information for new students
Please refer to the New students page. You will find all the information you require to activate your ANU email account, enrol into courses and our O week details.
Need help?
If you would like further information or advice regarding your degree, please contact the Student Office. We offer appointments, and you can reach us at students.cass@anu.edu.au.
You can also check out our in person opening hours and location on the CASS Student Office webpage.
Back to the Bachelor of International Relations page
Course selection
Enrolling for the first time can seem like a big task. Below, you will find an example enrolment pattern for your first year of study.
There are a few items to note:
- Courses coded in the 1000 range are appropriate for first-year students. We strongly recommend that students new to tertiary study enrol in first-year courses during their first semester.
- We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you pick your later year courses.
- The tables below represent only one possible combination. You are welcome to pick and choose from any other 1000-coded course found under the “Study Tab”.
- The tables below assume you are new to tertiary study and ineligible for course credit.
- A step-by-step guide on how to enrol in courses is available on the Enrol for the First time webpage.
Single degree
Students starting in Semester 1 – single degree Bachelor of International Relations, example
Semester 1
Elective
Elective
Semester 2
Elective
Elective
Other first year courses available: to find all other 1000-level courses, refer to the Catalogue of Programs and Courses. You may refine your selection on the right-hand column of the webpage.
Students starting in Semester 2– single degree Bachelor of International Relations, example
Semester 2
Elective
Elective
Semester 1
Elective
Elective
Other first year courses available: to find all other 1000-level courses, refer to the Catalogue of Programs and Courses. You may refine your selection on the right-hand column of the webpage.
Double degree
Students starting in Semester 1 – double degree Bachelor of International Relations, example
Semester 1
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Semester 2
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Students starting in Semester 2– double degree Bachelor of International Relations, example
Semester 2 Course from other degree Course from other degree Semester 1 Course from other degree Course from other degree
Electives
Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | Elective | Elective |
| POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science 6 units | Elective | Elective |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
| POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science 6 units | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
Academic Advice
Course credit
If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.
Other important information for new students
Please refer to the New students page. You will find all the information you require to activate your ANU email account, enrol into courses and our O week details.
Need help?
If you would like further information or advice regarding your degree, please contact the Student Office. We offer appointments, and you can reach us at students.cass@anu.edu.au.
You can also check out our in person opening hours and location on the CASS Student Office webpage