UndergraduatePolitical Science & International Relations

Bachelor of Political Science

Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

About this program

The Bachelor of Political Science is an undergraduate degree at the Australian National University in Canberra, run through the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, taken over 3 years full-time (144 Units). Coursework includes 12 units from completion of the following compulsory Introductory and Methods courses. Graduates are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key areas of interest to political scientists, including citizen ideas/interests/attitudes/behaviour, policy actors and outcomes, and political/social/legal institutions. ANU is a research-intensive, Group of Eight university based in Australia's capital, and international students in this program study alongside a large Canberra-based policy, research and public-service community.

Fees & duration

Duration3 yr
Tuition (international)A$54,600
Application feeA$150

English test scores

IELTS6.5 overall (L6)
PTE58 overall

Verified programsandcourses.anu.edu.au ↗

Course structure

Study plan in 144 parts

  • The Bachelor of Political Science requires completion of 144 units
  • 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:
  • 12 units from completion of the following compulsory Introductory and Methods courses:
  • POLS1002
  • Introduction to Politics
  • POLS1009
  • Introduction to Data and Methods for Political Science and International Relations
  • A minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 12 units from the completion of courses from the following Theory list:
  • POLS2102
  • Political Belief and Deceit
  • POLS2119
  • Ideas in Politics
  • POLS2130
  • Public Choice and Politics
  • A minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 12 units from the completion of courses from the following Australian and Comparative Politics list:
  • POLS2010
  • Comparative Politics
  • POLS2114
  • Australian Politics
  • A minimum of 6 units from the completion of courses in the following list:
  • POLS2044
  • Quantitative Methods in Politics and International Relations
  • POLS2045
  • Qualitative Methods in Politics and International Relations
  • POLS2137
  • Interpretation
  • Method and Critique
  • A minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 18 units from the completion of the following Political Science and Social Science Enquiry courses
  • of which no more than 6 units can come from courses taken outside POLS:
  • DEMO1001
  • Global Population Challenges
  • ENVS1003
  • Introduction to Environmental and Social Research
  • HIST2110
  • Approaches to History
  • INDG1001
  • Country
  • An Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies
  • INDG1002
  • Resilience
  • Responsibilities
  • First Peoples' Experiences and Ways of Being
  • POLS1005
  • Introduction to International Relations Foundations and Concepts
  • POLS2002
  • Theory and Practice
  • SOCR1001
  • Foundations of Social Research
  • SOCY2038
  • Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
  • SOCY2043
  • Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
  • STAT1003
  • Statistical Techniques
  • Or any other 2000 level POLS course with permission of the program convenor
  • 24 units from the completion of the following 3000-level courses
  • A minimum of 18 units must come from the following Political Science Depth list:
  • POLS3002
  • Comparative European Politics
  • POLS3029
  • Federalism in Comparative Perspective
  • POLS3043
  • Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying
  • POLS3095
  • Politics in Latin America
  • POLS3111
  • Elections
  • Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia
  • POLS3113
  • Human Rights
  • POLS3125
  • Game Theory and Social Sciences
  • POLS3126
  • Democracy and Dictatorship
  • POLS3127
  • U.S. Politics
  • POLS3134
  • The Politics of Gender
  • Race
  • and Identity
  • A maximum of 6 units from the following Social Science Enquiry Depth list:
  • ANIP3003
  • Australian National Internships Program A
  • ENVS3028
  • Environmental Policy
  • INDG3001
  • First Nations Peoples
  • the State and Public Policy in Australia
  • SOCR3001
  • Data for Decision Making
  • 6 units from the completion of courses from the following Area Expertise list:
  • ASIA1025
  • Power
  • Diversity and Change
  • ASIA1030
  • Asia and the Pacific in Motion
  • ASIA1035
  • Introduction to Asian Politics
  • ASIA1999
  • The Origins of Political Order in Asia
  • ASIA2026
  • The Politics of China
  • ASIA2031
  • Japanese Politics
  • ASIA2065
  • Asia’s Changing Politics in Comparative Perspective
  • ASIA2096
  • History
  • Culture
  • Politics
  • ASIA2222
  • Taiwanese Society and Politics
  • ASIA2516
  • Politics
  • Society and Development
  • DEMO2003
  • Migration in the Modern World
  • ECHI1006
  • The Australian Economy
  • Past and Present
  • HIST2022
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History
  • HIST2221
  • Britain in the Age of Revolutions and Empires 1688-1848
  • HIST2226
  • Nazi Germany
  • HIST2227
  • Australian Political History
  • HIST2240
  • Europe Since 1945
  • HIST2242
  • From the Russian Revolution to the Collapse of Communism
  • INDG1002
  • Resilience
  • Responsibility
  • First Peoples' Experiences and Ways of Being
  • MEAS1001
  • Introduction to the Modern Middle East
  • MEAS1002
  • History and Institutions
  • MEAS2000
  • History
  • Politics and Culture
  • MEAS2001
  • Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
  • MEAS2105
  • The Political Economy of the Middle East
  • PASI1011
  • An Introduction to Pacific Studies
  • PASI2001
  • Pacific Studies in a Globalising World
  • POLS2031
  • Politics in the Middle East
  • POLS2055
  • Pacific Politics
  • POLS2069
  • Politics in Russia
  • A minimum of 48 units and a maximum of 72 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Admissions

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. 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 . 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 ATAR: 85 International Baccalaureate: 33

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