Bachelor of International Relations

Length 3 year full-time
Minimum 144 Units

Admission requirements

Adjustment factors availability

Academic plan BIR
CRICOS code 073992F
UAC code
- 131153 (B International Relations)

Field of Education
- Political Science

Find my double degree

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of International Relations requires completion of 144 units, of which:

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

The 144 units must include:

48 units from completion of the International Relations major:

24 units from completion of one of the following international relations specialisations:

Globalisation in International Relations

International Relations Theory

International Security

Either:

24 units from completion of one of the following minors:

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian

Advanced Spanish Studies

Analytical Philosophy

Arabic

Chinese Language

Classical Chinese

Contemporary Europe

Continental Philosophy

Corporate Sustainability

Environmental Policy

European History

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

History

Indonesian Language

International Communication

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Korean Language

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Moral and Political Philosophy

Philosophy and Science

Political Science

Russian

Persian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish Language and Culture

Thai Language

Turkish

Urdu Language

Vietnamese Language

Or:

24 units from completion of an exchange or internship program

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Honours

For information about honours, please see the School of Politics and International Relations Honours website.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units	POLS1005	Minor 1000 Level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 1 48 units	POLS1006	Minor 1000 Level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units	International Relations Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	International Relations Specialisation 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units	International Relations Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	International Relations Specialisation 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units	International Relations Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	International Relations Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	International Relations Specialisation 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units	International Relations Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	International Relations Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	International Relations Specialisation 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis, taking into account all relevant academic qualifications. If you hold more than one qualification, admission will be based on your overall record. Tertiary qualifications are generally weighted more heavily than secondary. If you have completed an approved tertiary preparation course or alternative entry scheme, you will be assessed on the results of that scheme alone, unless you have undertaken subsequent study.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission pathways.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

ATAR:: 89
QLD Band:: 7
International Baccalaureate:: 33

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Please note that Bonus Points do not apply to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program.

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students: $25,984.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential.

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Can you see yourself jet-setting the globe with a career in trade, foreign affairs, journalism, international business or research? You have found the right degree.

ANU is a leader in the field of International Relations.

Our program will introduce you to International Relations, initially via the broad historical and intellectual framework which has framed the modern world of states since the 17th century. It will then concentrate on the 20th century, the age of World Wars and the Cold War, before addressing contemporary issues, the age of global political economy, global culture and communication, global environmental concerns and post-Cold war political conflict, including the 'War on Terror'.

With our flexible program you can extend your chosen language subject into a major, and have the opportunity to go on exchange or an international/national internship.

Career Options

ANU provides you with more choice for your entrance score by offering the new Flexible Double Degree program.

The ANU Flexible Double Degree lets you build skills for your chosen career without forfeiting your passion. It's your choice to build a double degree partnership that suits your head and your heart.http://students.anu.edu.au/applications/

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the degree graduates are expected to:

Identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them;
Have a thorough understanding of the historical development of the global system;
Demonstrate an understanding of the principal actors in contemporary global politics and the challenges they face;
Understand the principal factors that determine the foreign policies of major powers and of Australia;
Reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of International Relations.

Back to the Bachelor of International Relations page

Single degree

Three years full time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 units)
An International Relations major (48 units)
One of the following specialisations (24 units):
•    Globalisation in International Relations
•    International Relations Theory
•    International Security
Either: a language minor (24 units)
Or: one of the following minors (24 units):
•    Analytical Philosophy
•    Contemporary Europe
•    Continental Philosophy
•    Corporate Sustainability
•    Environmental Policy
•    European History
•    History
•    International Communication
•    Latin American Studies
•    Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
•    Moral and Political Philosophy
•    Philosophy and Science
Or: an approved exchange or internship program (24 units)
Eight Electives from across the ANU (48 units)

Double degree

This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
Three years full time - four courses per semester (24 units)
An International Relations major (48 units)
One of the following specialisations (24 units):
•    Globalisation in International Relations
•    International Relations Theory
•    International Security
Either: a language minor (24 units)
Or: one of the following minors (24 units):
•    Analytical Philosophy
•    Contemporary Europe
•    Continental Philosophy
•    Corporate Sustainability
•    Environmental Policy
•    European History
•    History
•    International Communication
•    Latin American Studies
•    Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
•    Moral and Political Philosophy
•    Philosophy and Science
Or: an approved exchange or internship program (24 units)

About this degree

Single degree
In a Bachelor of International Relations degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take the International Relations major (8 courses), one specialisation (from the designated list) (4 courses) and one minor (from the designated list) (4 courses) or an approved exchange (4 courses). You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.

Double degree
In a Bachelor of International Relations degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of International Relations degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take the International Relations major (8 courses), one specialisation (from the designated list) (4 courses) and one minor (from the designated list) (4 courses) or an approved exchange (4 courses).

Enrolment Status

While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
•   A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major, minor or specialisation.
•   You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
•   You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
•   You need to enrol in courses for the International Relations major
•   You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential minor from the designated list
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of International Relations half of the double degree

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as POLS1234.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

You need to enrol in two 1000-level courses for your International Relations major:
•   POLS1005 - Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts
•   POLS1006 - Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues

You need to enrol in two 1000-level courses (if available) from one of the following minors:
•   Advanced French Studies
•   Advanced German Studies
•   Advanced Italian Studies
•   Advanced Spanish Studies
•   Arabic
•   Chinese Language
•   Classical Chinese
•   French Language and Culture
•   German Language and Culture
•   Hindi Language
•   Indonesian Language
•   Italian Language and Culture
•   Japanese Language
•   Korean Language
•   Persian
•   Russian
•   Sanskrit Language
•   Spanish Language and Culture
•   Thai Language
•   Turkish
•   Urdu Language
•   Vietnamese Language
•   Analytical Philosophy
•   Contemporary Europe
•   Continental Philosophy
•   Corporate Sustainability
•   Environmental Policy
•   European History
•   History
•   International Communication
•   Latin American Studies
•   Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
•   Moral and Political Philosophy
•   Philosophy and Science
•   Political Science

Electives

Single Degree
While you only need to enrol in courses for one major, one minor and one specialisation, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for the major you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses.

Study Options