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.
ANU offers an outstanding variety of programs for Australia's next generation of language leaders, with more languages offered than at any other university in Australia. The ANU Bachelor of Languages is a wonderful way to take advantage of that, through the study of two (or more) languages, in combination with other areas of interest.
Your language education experience is designed to engage you with the structural, grammatical and idiomatic components of your chosen language or languages. This is further contextualised using cultural, social and historical concepts, issues and topics. You can start at beginning level, or at higher levels if you have past experience. Exciting opportunities exist for you to immerse yourself in your chosen language and culture through study abroad, and to combine your language study with a range of other areas.
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.
Learning Outcomes
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.
- communicate proficiently and confidently in at least one language
- identify the structure and uses of languages studied
- recognise and contrast the societies and cultures of the languages chosen, and their socio-historical context
- construct a global schema of the connections between the languages studied and their geographical, social and cultural origins
- recognise the importance and value of intercultural communication.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 85
- International Baccalaureate:
- 31
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 International Relations - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Languages - 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 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
The Bachelor of Languages 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:
Either
48 units from completion of one of the following language majors:
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Chinese Language
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Korean Language
Latin
Persian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Thai Language
Vietnamese Language
OR
24 units from completion of the one of the following advanced 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
24 units from courses available in:
- the International Communication Major
- the Advanced Minor
- the following language minors, which must be in a different language to the Advanced Minor:
Advanced English Language
Ancient Greek
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
Latin
Literary Chinese
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
24 units from completion of one of the following language minors, which must be in a different language to the major or advanced minor from the list above:
Advanced Ancient Greek
Advanced Arabic
Advanced Chinese Language
Advanced English 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
Literary Chinese
Ancient Greek
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
Latin
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
A minimum of 12 units and maximum of 18 units from completion of courses in the Linguistics major
A minimum of 6 units and maximum of 12 units from completion of courses in any of the following majors:
Asian Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies
Computer Science
Contemporary Europe
English
International Communication
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematics
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Majors
Bachelor of Languages Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Languages Minors
Bachelor of International Relations Minors
Study Options
| Year 1 | POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 6 units | Linguistics Course 6 units | Major 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 | Linguistics Course 6 units | Major 1000 level Course 6 units | |
| Year 2 | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
| POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
| Year 3 | POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | Minor 2000 level Course 6 units | Major 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 | Minor 2000 level Course 6 units | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
| Year 4 | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | 2000/3000 level course from the designated lists 6 units | Course from min 6 unit list | Major 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 | Course from min 6 unit list or Linguistic major course | Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
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 webpageBack to the Bachelor of Languages 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 Languages, example
Semester 1
Language major
Language minor
Elective
Semester 2
Language major
Language minor
LING-MAJ course
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 Languages, example
Semester 1
Language major
Language minor
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Semester 2
Language major
Language minor
Course from other degree
Course from other degree
Study Options
Study Plan
This page is currently being updated.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Language major | Language minor | LING1001 Introduction to the Study of Language 6 units | Elective |
| Language major | Language minor | LING-MAJ course | Elective |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Study Plan
This page is currently being updated.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Language major | Language minor | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
| Language major | Language minor | Course from other degree | Course from other degree |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
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.