Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Public Policy requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses;

A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses; and

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

A minimum of 72 units must come from the following lists:

18 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

POLS1009 Introduction to Data and Methods for Political Science and International Relations

POLS2002 Public Policy: Theory and Practice

SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice

12 units from the completion of the following introductory courses:

DEMO1001 Global Population Challenges

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

SOCY1002 Self and Society

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 units from the completion of the following public policy analysis and methods courses:

DEMO2002 Population Analysis

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

EMET2007 Econometrics I: Econometric Methods

POLS2044 Quantitative Methods in Political Science and International Relations

POLS2045 Qualitative Methods in Political Science and International Relations Research

SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

SOCR3001 Data for Decision Making

SOCY2169 Online Research Methods

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 units from the completion of the following public policy theory courses:

ECON2131 Public Sector Economics 

PHIL2122 Philosophy and Public Policy

POLS3009 Bureaucracy, Politics and Power

POLS2130 Public Choice

SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 units from the completion of the following public policy practice courses:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A

CRIM2005 Alcohol, Drugs and Crime: Promoting Health and Preventing Consequences

CRIM2009 Corruption in Our World

CRIM3005 Diversity and Crime: Equality in the Criminal Justice System

DEMO3001 Population Policy Case Studies

DEMO3002 Demographic Research Internship

ECON2900 Development Poverty and Famine

ECON3023 Economic Policy Issues

ENVS3028 Environmental Policy

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy

HLTH2001 Health Systems and Policy: An Introduction

INDG1002 Resilience, Responsibility, and Resurgence: First Peoples' Experiences and Ways of Being

INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia

INDG3003 First Peoples' Economic Self-determination and Prosperity in the Australian Economy

SOCY3001 Research Internship

A minimum of 60 units and a maximum of 72 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU.

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 the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (AQF) or equivalent and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; 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 the applicant has completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of higher education; or the results from a tertiary preparation program; 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:
  • secondary education if the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (AQF) or equivalent was completed; or the Work and Life Experience Based entry scheme; 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 a 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 combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:

• achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
• if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
• applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program

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

Graduates may find work in the private and public sectors including banking, finance, politics, journalism, international affairs, diplomatic services, national and international law firms, non-government and non-profit organisations, academia, government and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

1. demonstrate understanding of differences in political systems and the contexts in which public policy operates;
   
2. apply concepts and theories used in the study of public policy;
   
3. apply a range of research methods to the investigation of public policy;
   
4. gather, analyse, and interpret economic data, social data, and statistics related to Australian public policies; and
   
5. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

Completing the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Course Requirement

Students completing the Bachelor of Public Policy are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD) courses as part of their program. TD courses in the Bachelor Public Policy include:

DEMO3001 Population Policy Case Studies

ECON2900 Development Poverty and Famine

INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia

SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

POLS2045 Qualitative Methods in Political Science and International Relations Research

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

If you would prefer to complete courses outside this list to fulfill the TD course requirement, you may use your electives to choose any other accredited TD course at ANU. To find a list of TD courses, please visit Programs and Courses and select the Transdisciplinary filter.