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.

Statistics opens the door to understanding our world through the exploration of data and the modelling of uncertainty. The need for statistics is growing rapidly as our ability to collect massive amounts of data outruns our ability to understand and use the data we collect. Hal Varian, Chief Economist at Google, declared that “the sexy job in the next ten years will be statisticians”, as the challenge of understanding large, complex data structures mounts. It is estimated that 2.5 exabytes of data is generated every single day, with the accumulated amount of data doubling every 18 months, and that 90% of all data ever gathered was produced within the last two years. What’s more, statistics is critical for every discipline for which data play a role, and in responding to the world’s biggest challenges such as climate change, terrorism, health and medicine, and global economic conditions. Some of the world’s largest employers of statisticians include Google and Facebook as well as governments, financial institutions, medical and pharmaceutical industries, universities and many other sectors. By completing a BStat at ANU, you stand ready to meet humanity’s biggest challenges by understanding the world we observe through the eyes of data and statistical and probability modelling.

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. Review and synthesise a broad range of statistical knowledge from their chosen major
   
2. Use the R statistical computing language to carry out a wide variety of statistical tasks
   
3. Carry out model selection in a multiple linear regression modelling context
   
4. Describe the concepts of stochastic processes in discrete and continuous time
   
5. Describe and interpret probability theory, continuous random variables, and sampling distributions and the central limit theorem
   
6. Analyse programming problems to suggest, design and implement appropriate modular program structures, based on a data-directed approach.   

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

ACT:

Required:

Mathematical Methods (Major) / Further Mathematics (Major) / Specialist Mathematics/Specialist Methods (Major)

Recommended:

Specialist Mathematics/Specialist Methods (Major/Minor)

NSW:

Required:

Mathematics Advanced or equivalent

Recommended:

Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent

More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

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

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 Asia’s Changing Politics in Comparative Perspective

POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

POLS2126 Democracy and Dictatorship

POLS2134 Gender and Politics

POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation

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*  

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 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

ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development

EURO2012 Uniting Europe: History, Politics, Theory

MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security

MEAS3005 Modern Iraq: State, Politics and Society

POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

POLS2055 Pacific Politics

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

POLS2095 Politics in Latin America

POLS2100 Genocide in the Modern World

POLS2127 U.S. Politics

POLS3070 Politics in Central Asia

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 Statistics 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 consist of:

48 units from the completion of one of the following statistics majors:

Applied Statistics

Probability and Stochastic Processes

Statistical Data Analytics

Theoretical Statistics

 6 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

STAT2005 Introduction to Stochastic Processes

 6 units from completion of an introductory statistics course from the following list:

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of an introductory mathematical statistics course from the following list:

STAT2001 Introductory Mathematical Statistics

STAT2013 Introductory Mathematical Statistics for Actuarial Studies

6 units from completion of a regression course from the following list:

STAT2008 Regression Modelling

STAT2014 Regression Modelling for Actuarial Studies

 6 units from completion of an introductory computing course from the following list:

COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving

COMP1730 Programming for Scientists

 12 units from completion of an introductory mathematics courses from the following list:

MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2

 6 units from completion of a discrete mathematics course from the following list:

MATH2301 Games, Graphs and Machines

MATH3511 Scientific Computing

If your flexible double degree is within the College of Business and Economics (for example Commerce and Economics), the below study plan may show the same course twice. If this is the case, you must only do the course once and replace the other course with a University Wide Elective or CBE List 1 elective. Please note that you cannot exceed 8 out of college electives.

Students enrolled in Bachelor of Statistics/Bachelor of Actuarial Studies degree will need to enrol in STAT2013 and STAT2014, instead of STAT2001 and STAT2008.

Students enrolled in Bachelor of Statistics/Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Hons) degree will need to enrol in MATH1115 and MATH1116, instead of MATH1013 and MATH1014. Also, in the Bachelor of Statistics, these students should replace COMP1100 with an elective, as they will completing COMP1130 in the BAC (Hons) degree, which is an incompatible course.

For majors and minors offered by the ANU College of Business and Economics, students may count a course towards multiple majors and minors. If a minor is a subset of all stated courses and/or prerequisites for a major, then completion of the major overrides completion of the minor, and only the major is regarded as having been completed. If all courses in a major and/or minor are compulsory courses in the degree, the major and/or minor will not be listed on the transcript.

Minors

Bachelor of Statistics Minors

Study Options