Bachelor of Political Science

    Bachelor of Political Science

    Duration3 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    AUD 36,321 / year(s)
    Next IntakeJuly 25, 2026
    Bachelor of Political Science

    About

    Are you interested in understanding political systems in Australia and in other parts of the world? Do you want to find out what drives citizens’ political attitudes and behaviour, and how these affect policy outcomes? The Bachelor of Political Science is the only dedicated political science degree in Australia. In it, students:

    • study the identities, values and norms that underpin citizens' attitudes, drive political behaviour, and contribute to policy outcomes;
    • examine and compare the institutions and political systems of Australia and other countries;
    • acquire and apply a broad range of analytical skills that are highly sought after in today’s job market.

    Located in the nation's capital, ANU enables students to be in the hub of Australian politics while they study politics. Internships, including in Parliament House, give students the opportunity to see see and experience policymaking firsthand.

    Disciplines

    College of Arts and Social Sciences

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Program Requirements

    The Bachelor of Political Science 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:

    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

    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 Meaning in Politics: 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, Kinship and Continuities: An Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies

    INDG1002 Resilience, Responsibilities, Resurgence

    POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations

    POLS2002 Public Policy: 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, of which:

    A minimum of 18 units must come from the following Political Science Depth list:

    POLS3002 Comparative European Politics

    POLS3029 Comparative Federalism

    POLS3043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

    POLS3095 Politics in Latin American

    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

    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:

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 64
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career

    Employment Opportunities

    ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

    We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, from all over the world, and from all walks of life.

    Software Developer

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    36,321 / year(s)
    Application Fee 150
    Bachelor of Political Science
    Australian National University
    Australian National University
    Australia

    Australia, Canberra