Updating Results

The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Arts (Major: Politics & International Relations)

  • Bachelor

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.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 years full-time
Study Mode
In person

About this course

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.

Entry requirements

a.anchor { display: block; position: relative; top: -90px; visibility: hidden; } .svara { display:none; margin-left:40px;} .q { cursor:pointer; margin-left:40px;} .q:hover { text-decoration:underline; } .accordion {margin-top:50px;}
Entry requirements WA

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

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*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

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

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:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section^.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*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.

Entry requirements NSW

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

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*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

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

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:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section^.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*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

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*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

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

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:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section^.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*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.

Entry requirements NSW

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

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*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

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

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:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section^.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*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.

Study locations

Sydney

Fremantle

What you will learn

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:

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Behavioural Science
  • Bachelor of Communications and Media (second Major and Minor)
  • Bachelor of Science (Minor only)

Career pathways

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.

Course structure

The Politics and International Relations Major includes these requirements:

Students must complete 200 units of credit, as follows:

Students complete these TWO courses:

  • POLI1000 Introduction to World Politics
  • POLI1001 Politics, Democracy and Governance in Australia

Students complete SIX of these courses:

  • POLI3000 Religion and World Politics
  • POLI3001 Cyber-security, Technological Trends and Modern Warfare
  • POLI3003 Setting the Agenda: the Media and Politics
  • POLI3004 Terrorism and Violent Extremism
  • POLI3005 Intelligence and International Security
  • POLI3006 Public Policy and Practice: The Business of Government
  • POLI3007 Home and Away: Comparing Political Systems
  • POLI3008 Politics Internship* OR SOJS3170 Social Justice, Service-Learning and Community Engagement
  • POLI3009 Australian Foreign Policy
  • POLI3012 The Politics and History of Genocide
  • POLI3015 Nationalism, Ethnicity and Race
  • POLI3021 The History and Politics of Southeast Asia
  • POLI3022 The Modern Middle East
  • POLI3023 Strategy, Security and Diplomacy
  • POLI3024 US Foreign Policy Since 1945
  • SOJS3130 Human and Environmental Security
  • PHIL3410 Political Philosophy
  • PHIL3950 Special Topics in Philosophy and Ethics

Students may complete other courses on approval of the Dean, and if available:

  • ARTS3010 Experience the World I
  • ARTS3030 Experience the World Study Tour (50 units of credit)

* substitute ARTS3002 Internship or Professional Project

Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

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.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Humanities, Culture & Social Sciences courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
87.9%
Overall satisfaction
90.9%
Skill scale
85.5%
Teaching scale
65.3%
Employed full-time
$62.6k
Average salary