Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)—Humanities and Social Sciences requires the completion of 192 units, of which:

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

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving.

144 units of which:

Minimum 6 units of 1000-level Social Science Disciplinary Approaches courses from the following list:

ASIA1035 Introduction to Asian Politics

ASIA1999 The Origins of Political Order in Asia

CRIM1001 Criminological Imaginations: Understanding Criminality

CRIM1002 Criminological Perspectives: Understanding Crime

DEMO1001 Global Population Challenges

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability

ENVS1008 Sustainable Development

HIST1214 Empires in Global History: 1200 to the Present

INTR1021 Understanding Peace and Conflict

INTR1022 Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context

SOCR1001 Foundations of Social Research

SOCY1002 Self and Society

SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology

STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies

STST1003 Coping with Crisis: the Practice of International Security

Minimum 6 units of 1000-level Humanities Disciplinary Approaches courses from the following list:

ANTH1002 Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology

ANTH1003 Anthropology: Critical Foundations

ENGL1200 Imagined Worlds

GEND1001 Sex, Gender and Identity: An Introduction to Gender Studies

GEND1002 Reading Popular Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies

HUMN1001 Digital Culture: Being Human in the Information Age

INDG1001 Indigenous Peoples, Populations and Communities

INDG1002 First Peoples' experiences and ways of being: resilience, agency, resurgence and rights

LING1001 Introduction to the Study of Language

LING1002 Language and Society

MUSI1113 Introduction to Ethnomusicology

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

Minimum 6 units of Theory and Method courses from the following list:

ANTH3059 Doing Ethnography: Practicum on Applied Anthropology

ARCH2004 Australian Archaeology

DEMO2001 Understanding Population Change

ECON3152 Game Theory

ENVS2002 Environmental Measurement, Modelling and Monitoring

HIST2110 Approaches to History

HUMN2000 Introduction to Heritage and Museum Studies

HUMN2001 Introduction to Digital Humanities and Public Culture - Tools, Theories and Methods

INDG3006 Indigenous Research: Practice, Collaboration, and Ethics

LING3012 Field Methods in Linguistics

LING3038 Corpus Linguistics

POLS2017 International Relations Theory

POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis

POLS2137 Meaning in Politics: Interpretation, Method and Critique

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology

SOCY2161 Contemporary Social Theory

SOCY2169 Online Research Methods

STST2005 Why Nations Fight: The Causes of International Conflict

Minimum 6 units of courses on Indigenous Themes from the following list:

Any 1000, 2000, or 3000 level INDG course

ANTH2005 Traditional Australian Indigenous Cultures, Societies, and Environment

ARTH2098 Australian First Nations Art and Culture

ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

HIST2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History

HIST3142 Indigenous Memory and History: on Page, Stage, and Screen

HLTH3001 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

LING2016 Language and Society in Indigenous Australia

Minimum 6 units of courses on Asia or the Pacific from the following list:

Any 1000, 2000, or 3000 level on-campus ASIA or PASI course

ARCH2005 Archaeology of the Pacific Islanders

ARTH2169 Asian Modernisms: Art, Nation and World, c.1860-1970

BUSI2023 Dynamics of Asian Business

GEND2001 Gender and Cultural Studies in Asia and the Pacific

INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

INTR2012 Chinese Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2018 Japanese Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2024 Nuclear Politics in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities

POLS2055 Pacific Politics

STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific

STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands

WARS2004 War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific

Minimum 36 units of Advanced Studies Courses (ASCs)

6 units from completion of the 1000-level 6 unit PhB-specific Advanced Studies Course.

BPHB1114 Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences and Humanities 1

Minimum 6 units from completion of the 2000-level 6 unit PhB-specific Advanced Studies Course.

BPHB2114 Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences and Humanities 2

Minimum 24 units from repeat completion of the 3000-level 12 unit PhB-specific Advanced Studies Course.

BPHB3114 Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences and Humanities 3

Minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

Minimum 18 units of courses from the following Majors and/or Minors:

Social Science Majors

Anthropology Major

Asia-Pacific Politics Major

Asia-Pacific Security Studies Major

Criminology Major

Demography Major

Development Studies Major

Economic Studies Major

Environmental Studies Major

Geography Major

History Major

International Business Major

International Relations Major

Linguistics Major

Peace and Conflict Studies Major

Political Science Major

Sociology Major

Humanities Majors

Asian and Pacific Culture, Media, and Gender Major

English Major

Gender, Sexuality and Culture Major

Philosophy Major

War Studies Major

Area Studies Majors

Asian History Major

Asian Studies Major

Australian Indigenous Studies Major

Chinese Studies Major

Contemporary Europe Major

Indian and South Asian Studies Major

Indonesian Studies Major

Japanese Studies Major

Korean Studies Major

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major

Northeast Asian Studies Major

Pacific Studies Major

Southeast Asian Studies Major

Languages Majors and Minors

Advanced Ancient Greek

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Chinese Language

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Japanese Language

Advanced Korean Language

Advanced Latin

Advanced Persian

Advanced Sanskrit Language

Advanced Spanish Studies

Ancient Greek

Arabic

Burmese Language

Chinese Language

French Studies

German Studies

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Studies

Japanese Language

Japanese Linguistics

Korean Language

Latin

Literary Chinese

Mongolian Language

Persian

Russian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish Studies

Tetum Language

Thai Language

Tok Pisin Language

Vietnamese Language

48 units from completion of one of the following Honours Specialisations:

Anthropology Honours Specialisation

Asia-Pacific Studies Honours Specialisation

Australian Indigenous Studies Honours Specialisation

Criminology Honours Specialisation

Demography Honours Specialisation

Development Studies Honours Specialisation

Digital Humanities Honours Specialisation

Economics Honours Specialisation (completion of this specialisation will require the student to take ECON2125 and ECON3100 as well as the relevant Economic Studies Major)

English Honours Specialisation

Environmental Studies Honours Specialisation

Gender, Sexuality and Culture Honours Specialisation

History Honours Specialisation

International Relations Honours Specialisation

Language Studies Honours Specialisation

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Honours Specialisation

Philosophy Honours Specialisation

Political Science Honours Specialisation

Psychology Honours Specialisation (students should consult PhB Convenor if interested in this pathway)

Security Studies Honours Specialisation

Sociology Honours Specialisation 

Maximum 48 units of free electives of 1000, 2000, or 3000 level courses offered by ANU.

Majors

Minors

Specialisations

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.

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications and including any eligible adjustments:

- An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

- A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR

- At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR

- An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Entry requirements

Domestic School-leavers

Domestic students completing an Australian Year 12 or the IB program (November session) in Australia in 2019 apply directly to The Australian National University by submitting an Admission, Scholarships and Accommodation application here. All students will still need to meet the published entry requirements for the program they have applied for.

 In addition to meeting the published entry requirements, school leavers are required met the co-curricular or service requirement (CCS). The CCS functions as a threshold that is either met or not met, you can learn more about the CCS and check if you’ve met the CCS requirement here.

You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’.

Domestic Non-School leavers

Domestic non-school leavers (including students transferring to ANU, mature age applicants and students who are otherwise not a school-leaver) can apply to ANU via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

 You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’

International applicant entry requirements

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

Additional Information for applicants

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found on the ANU website.

The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website allows you to do side-by-side comparisons of Australian universities, so you can find out more about the universities that interest you.

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

The admission requirements listed on this page are a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

• For program-specific requirements for domestic applicants, please click here. 
• For program-specific requirements for international applicants, please click here.

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant’s Selection Rank (for example an applicant’s ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

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.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply 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.

Employment Opportunities

The PhB is an ideal path to take if you are already aiming for a career in research, but it is equally good if you decide to enter the workforce directly, as you will not only have gained the academic and generic skills normally obtained within a degree but will have gained highly marketable skills in independent research, oral and written communication and also in teamwork.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the research literature from both specialist and interdisciplinary perspectives.
2. Conceptualise new research projects considering their practical application, academic contributions, and ethical implications.
3. Undertake independent research drawing on sophisticated concepts and methods from the humanities and social sciences, an informed critical perspective, high level project management skills, and professional connections.
4. Collaborate with peers to identify and solve problems in business, politics, and the academy.
5. Create new interdisciplinary knowledge that helps to understand and resolve complex social, cultural, political and/or environmental challenges at a local, regional, or global scale.
6. Convey professional and disciplinary knowledge to diverse audiences in a clear and convincing manner, both orally and in writing.
7. Exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Other Requirements

Further Information

Progression Requirements

Students must achieve a minimum 75% weighted average mark in courses offered by CAP or CASS in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) subsequent to the first year of study in order to continue in the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours). Students who do not achieve a minimum 75% weighted average mark will be transferred to the program best aligned with the student's academic record. These include but are not limited to:

CAP Programs

Bachelor of Asian Studies

Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs

Bachelor of International Security Studies

Bachelor of Pacific Studies

CASS Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of International Relations

Bachelor of Political Science

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

In order to progress to Honours, students must attend and participate in a minimum of nine Research Seminars meetings over the coursework component. Participation includes presentation of a students' own research work and giving formal feedback on other students' ongoing research projects, each a minimum of three times.

Students must complete 144 units and achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark calculated from the 36 units of courses in disciplines cognate to the Honours specialisation, excluding 1000-level courses, with the highest marks and satisfy all admission requirements specified in the Honours specialisation in order to commence the Honours specialisation. Students who do not achieve the 70% weighted average mark after 144 units or do not satisfy all admission requirements specified in the Honours specialisation will be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts (or equivalent).

Students must achieve a minimum 80% final Honours mark in order to graduate with the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours). Students who achieve a final Honours mark from 50% to 79% will graduate with the Honours program best aligned with the student's academic record. These include but are not limited to:

CAP Honours Programs

The Bachelor of Asian Studies (Honours)

Bachelor of International Security Studies (Honours)

Bachelor of Pacific Studies (Honours)

CASS Honours Programs

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Bachelor of International Relations (Honours)

Student who do not successfully complete the Honours year with a final mark of at least 50% will graduate from the Bachelor of Asian Studies, Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs, Bachelor of International Security Studies, Bachelor of Pacific Studies, or the program best aligned with the student’s academic record.