Bachelor of Political Science

at Australian National University

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Political Science requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

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

The 144 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

• POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

 

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 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes

• POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

• POLS2126 Democracy and Dictatorship

• POLS2134 Gender and Politics

• POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation

• POLS3037 Globalisation: Communications, Culture and Democracy

 

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*  
   

*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

• ASIA2109 Violence, Poverty, and Politics in India

• ASIA2516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development

• EURO2012 Uniting Europe: History, Politics, Theory

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

• POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

• POLS2055 Pacific Politics

• POLS2069 Politics in Russia

• POLS2095 Politics in Latin America

• POLS2127 U.S. Politics

 

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

 

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

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. 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.

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.

 

Annual indicative fee for international students

$46,176