Bachelor
School of Arts & Sciences
If you want to pursue a career in politics, become a diplomat or be a part of Government policymaking, The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Politics and International Relations is your degree. As the world becomes more interconnected and traditional alliances shift and fragment, Australia's political institutions are under more significant pressure. Our degree will teach you about Australia's political history, its decision-making procedures and how we operate on the international stage.
Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.
Applicants with recent Secondary Education
OR
*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.
Applicants with Higher Education Study
OR
*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
OR
OR
*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).
Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.
Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.
Applicants with recent Secondary Education
OR
*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.
Applicants with Higher Education Study
OR
*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
OR
OR
*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).
Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.
Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.
Applicants with recent Secondary Education
OR
*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.
Applicants with Higher Education Study
OR
*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
OR
OR
*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).
Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.
Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.
Applicants with recent Secondary Education
OR
*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.
Applicants with Higher Education Study
OR
*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
OR
OR
*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).
Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.
Studying Australian politics and international relations is valuable training for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in politics, diplomacy, journalism, and Governmental policymaking. You will cover a wide range of issues you might encounter in your career. This includes exploring terrorism, climate change, the global economy, media and politics and Australia's foreign policy.
This three-year degree is divided into three main streams: Australian Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. While all students acquire a thorough knowledge of Australia's political institutions in the first year, you will have the opportunity to pursue more specialist topics in Years Two and Three, with options including US Foreign Policy, The Middle East, Terrorism and Intelligence and Australian Foreign Policy.
Upon graduation, you will have a sophisticated understanding of Australian politics and the world of international diplomacy. Furthermore, the superior research, analytical, and communication skills you accrued during the program will put you in good stead in the workplace.
Politics & International Relations is available as a Major and Minor in the following programs, including double-degree variations:
Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; Many employers will welcome the transferable skills. The following careers are open to graduates of this program: politics, diplomacy, journalism and governmental policy making.
The Politics and International Relations Major includes these requirements:
Students must complete 200 units of credit, as follows:
Students complete these TWO courses:
Students complete SIX of these courses:
Students may complete other courses on approval of the Dean, and if available:
* substitute ARTS3002 Internship or Professional Project
Core Curriculum
Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.
Here you can find full details of the Major, Second Major and Minor requirements.
More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.
Please note: The availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.