Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations
Undergraduate
GRF-BPS-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
A double degree in business and politics
Learn the workings of business and government for broad career options in private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Focus your skills and knowledge with majors including international business, economics, public policy, and more.
- 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 Business/Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations
About this degree
Graduates of the Bachelor of Business will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge that underpins theory, practice and professionalism within one of the disciplinary areas associated with the degree. In addition, they will have specialist technical knowledge in at least one field of business and management studies.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations will have a broad and coherent body of 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.
With Griffith Business School's Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations, you can multiply your career options. In as little as four years, you can graduate with two degrees and a unique skill set that will give you an edge in the employment market.
By combining in-depth knowledge and insight into the workings of government with practical business skills, you will be prepared for a future local, state and national governments, non-government organisations and private sector organisations that sectors interact with government agencies. For example, you can blend majors in Logistics and Supply Chain Management with International Relations and work for an international aid organisation providing humanitarian relief to disaster zones.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
- Language and Communication for Business and Commerce
- Introduction to Political Science
- International Relations
- The Purpose of Business
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 Business/Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations (BBus/BPoliSciIntRel), you must successfully complete 320 credit points, made up of the core courses 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 one Business major and 30 credit points of listed or free-choice electives, OR
- 80 credit points for an Extended Business major and 10 credit points of listed or free-choice electives, OR
- 90 credit points for an Accounting (Extended) major.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$17,000
Indicative total fee $68,000
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: 65.00
Griffith University's Undergraduate Programs Admission Policy will apply.
VET qualification: Certificate III
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 will develop the competencies required for pursuing a career in government, or organisations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors that work closely with government.
The Bachelor of Business will prepare you for a variety of career opportunities in the following fields:
Asian Business
You could find career opportunities in government, businesses with overseas profiles, international aid and other non-governmental organisations, news and media organisations, and the education industry in Asia.
Behavioural Science
You could find career opportunities in government, private enterprise and not-for-profit organisations across various disciplines including marking and advertising, human services, healthcare, economics, policy development, research and evaluation of programs and services.
Business Analytics
You'll be at the forefront of tomorrow's business decisions by acquiring a 'common language' understandable by both data scientists and business management. You may find roles in analytics and strategy across the spectrum of industry; government, private sector and not for profit, as companies look to gain strategic advantage from data-led decision making.
Employment Relations
You may find opportunities to work as an employment relations manager or consultant, or in roles dealing with workplace planning and policy, managerial strategy, industrial advocacy, occupational health and safety, and workplace negotiation.
Events
You will be well prepared for an exciting career working for event and conference organisers in the sport, tourism, marketing, media and cultural sectors as well as coordinating and managing government event portfolios.
Financial Crime Investigation and Compliance
You will be prepared for a range of career paths, including roles in financial crime compliance, sanctions management, anti-bribery and corruption compliance, investigation of anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF), forensic accounting, data management and analysis, risk management, regulatory advisory, fraud prevention, and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. These career opportunities are available in various sectors, including finance and banking, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies.
Human Resource Management
You will graduate with a degree recognised by the Australian Human Resources Institute and be equipped for a career as a human resource manager or consultant. Human resource professionals work in many sectors including business management, counselling, workforce planning and policy, and recruiting and training staff for the public and private sectors and non-government organisations.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
As a graduate of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship major, you'll be able to create and develop innovative ideas that enable scale and societal impact. You will have an understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, ways to identify or create opportunities, and the strategic and operational issues in firm creation. Create your own career by starting your own lifestyle or high-potential startup, be entrepreneurial while working in a family business or being an intrapreneur within someone's business.
International Business
You will be prepared to work with international trade and investment organisations or in the public and private sectors in management, strategic planning, research, corporate government relations, global operations and public relations.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
You may find opportunities to work as a logistics and supply chain manager, purchasing manager, business or strategy manager, or export and import operations manager. These career opportunities exist in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Management
Good managers are needed across all sectors and in businesses of all sizes. With this qualification, you can apply your business management knowledge to an area of personal interest and find opportunities in roles such as a business manager in human resources, strategy, planning and policy, and training and development.
Marketing
You will be able to work in any industry or organisation that needs to promote its products or services, including entertainment and fashion, tourism, advertising, public relations, and business consulting. You might work as a brand manager, marketing manager, advertising account manager, market research analyst, public relations manager, or sales manager.
Real Estate and Property Development
The property sector is expanding in Australia and around the world, creating a wide range of employment opportunities in the commercial, residential and tourism sectors of the real estate and property management industries. You will be prepared for a career in property finance, development and investment, real estate agency management, project management, and marketing and promoting real estate.
Sport Management
Sport is big business. You could find opportunities in government departments, local, national and international sporting clubs and event management organisations. You may also find opportunities in sport tourism, marketing, media and athlete representation.
Sustainable Business
Increasingly, public and private sector organisations are hiring sustainability and corporate social responsibility specialists. The growing trend in consumers demanding sustainable, ethical products and services has seen businesses place sustainability and social benefits within their core values. These new business models means that leaders and managers need to know how the financial bottom line relates to other important elements of business; and how to transform traditional models to capitalise in the current environment. As this field continues to grow, you will find more and more career opportunities in a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors and with non-government organisations.
Tourism and Travel
With this qualification, you could travel the world. Tourism managers are employed by destination marketing organisations and all levels of government throughout Australia and internationally. You will be prepared for work related to major tourism infrastructure and planning projects, shaping the visitor experience in tourism destinations.
Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations
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.
Professional recognition
Depending upon your choice of Business major, you may be eligible for admission to one or more of the following professional bodies:
- Australian Institute of Management
- Australian Marketing Institute
- Australian Human Resources Institute
- Australian Market and Social Research Society
- Australian Society of Sport Administrators
- The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply
- International Special Events Society, Queensland Chapter
- Pacific Asia Travel Association
- Sports Management Association of Australia and New Zealand
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
General Managers | N/A^ | Up 59.7% |
Importers, Exporters and Wholesalers | $93K to $120K | Up 0.2% |
Legislators | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Public Relations Professionals | $93K to $120K | Up 20.8% |
^ There is no data available