Bachelor of Advanced Political Science and International Relations (Honours)
Undergraduate
GRF-API-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Study policy, politics, and power across the globe
Deep dive into politics and international relations. You'll explore political movements, laws, diplomacy, and global politics. With research skills and real-world experience, you’ll be prepped for exciting careers like international diplomacy.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 32
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Bachelor of Advanced Political Science and International Relations (Honours)
About this degree
Graduates of the Bachelor Honours Degree in Political Science and International Relations will have advanced knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings, major debates and contemporary relevance of political science and its sub-disciplines of international relations, comparative politics, political theory, public policy and political economy. They also will have developed advanced skills in research design, the conduct of research in Political Science and International Relations, information synthesis and the execution of an extended academic project.
This degree will provide you with a deep understanding of policy, politics and power in the domestic and international spheres. You'll learn about political movements and institutions, processes of lawmaking, diplomacy and global politics. You'll explore how democracy thrives or struggles to survive, and the strategies authoritarian leaders increasingly use to maintain their grip on power, among a range of other exciting topics in Political Science and International Relations.
In your second and third years, you'll gain valuable specialised knowledge by completing one or two majors in International Relations, Political Science and Public Policy; or Security, Conflict and Human Rights. Throughout your studies, you'll gain the skills and training needed for pursuing your own career pathway, including taking dedicated employability courses and having opportunities to complete a work placement, field study trip, or parliamentary internship.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
- Introduction to Political Science
- International Relations
- Comparative Political Institutions
- Global Political Economy
Plus there’s a selection of majors and electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
For the award of Bachelor of Advanced Political Science and International Relations [BAdvancedPoliSciIntRel(Hons)], you must successfully complete 320 credit points, made up of the core courses AND
- 10 credit points for an Honours Listed elective, AND
- 60 credit points for the International Relations major or Political Science and Public Policy major or Security, Conflict and Human Rights major, AND
- 60 credit points for a second major and 20 credit points of foundation courses or Listed/Undergraduate free-choice elective/s, or
- 80 credit points for an extended major, or
- 80 credit points of listed and/or Undergraduate free-choice elective/s
Other program requirements
You must successfully complete:
- no more than 120 credit points of Level 1 courses (the first digit of a course code denotes the level);
- at least 60 credit points of Level 3 courses or higher.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$16,500
Indicative total fee $66,000
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
How to apply
Griffith University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Griffith University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
ATAR/RANK 80
Griffith University's Undergraduate Programs Admission Policy will apply.
VET qualification: Diploma
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:
- A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
- OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
- OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
- OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
- OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
- OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.
English test results must be no more than two years old.
Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:
- Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
- Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
- Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.
Career opportunities
Graduates of political science and international relations programs at Griffith have gone on to pursue a range of exciting careers, from international diplomacy and policy analysis to international business, from roles in local and national government to staff roles with Australian and international non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Numerous Queensland and national parliamentarians and cabinet ministers have studied politics at Griffith.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Legislators | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Members of Parliament | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Tribunal Members | N/A^ | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available