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Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours)

Study International Relations and Political Science at Flinders

You can shape the world.  Broaden your career options with research skills as well as the skills to drive political, social and policy change.

Develop a grounding in research and analysis, enhance your professional and interpersonal competencies and expand your career options with a four-year combined honours degree in international relations and political science. Take the next step on your path to become an expert in a specialist field of study and enhance your understanding of the key political, international and policy ideas and trends of our time. Lead the next generation of political influencers through research and a comprehensive understanding in politics and contemporary international politics.

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I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

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I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

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*Available at Flinders' Adelaide City Campus at Festival Plaza from 2024.

Why study International Relations and Political Science at Flinders

  • Study with SA’s largest group of international relations and political science experts
  • Experience unique internship opportunities with the US Congress (Washington) and Consulate (Melbourne)
  • Gain access to South Australian Parliamentary internships and other internship opportunities in the public and private sectors.
  • Access travel opportunities to Indonesia, China, Japan, USA, and elsewhere
  • Study with a focus on the digital revolution and the future of social  and political change
  • Flinders policy and administration research is ranked above world standard
  • Flinders is engaged with The Jeff Bleich Centre for the US Alliance in Digital Technology, Security, and Governance

Your career

This degree provides you with skills which are in high demand across an array of sectors. Today’s employers are seeking graduates who can anticipate, lead, analyse and influence movements within the international, political and policy arenas.

You will develop specific skills as well as enhanced general skills relevant to a vast range of jobs in government, multinational organisations, aid and foreign affairs agencies, international and local non-government organisations, civil society organisations, international and local charities, consultancy firms and business. This degree will distinguish you from graduates with bachelor degrees and ensure you standout.

Potential occupations include:

  • policy analyst
  • diplomat, public servant and/or electorate officer
  • international aid/development and humanitarian worker
  • research officer
  • intelligence, security, risk management or political analyst
  • cyber security and digital governance specialist
  • journalist or digital media content maker/manager  
See all events  

Events

Shape the world

“We want our students to move beyond a superficial understanding of the changes happening in our world in order to interrogate and think more broadly about what’s driving some of these issues and what it is we can do about them.  There is no degree like this in the rest of the country.”  

Rob Manwaring, Senior Lecturer, International Relations & Political Science

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:
  • core topics on international relations, democracy and government, public policy, and the key revolutionary ideas in political and economic thought
  • topics in innovation and creative thinking, and academic and professional communication
  • option topics focusing on political change in either Australia, Asia or the United States.

Second year

A typical second year may include:
  • core topics on the international political system; nationalism, populism and democracy; policy design; and visions of global order
  • a broad range of topics within the study of politics, public policy and international relations, looking at Australia, America, Europe and Asia.

Third year

A typical third year may include:
  • core topics focusing on digital governance, cyber security and the future of democracy; Australian foreign policy; and critical approaches to international relations
  • a professionally oriented capstone topic
  • option topics that include a selection of internship and placement topics to prepare students for employment, as well as topics which address themes including environmental politics, the rise of China and global inequality.

Fourth year / Honours year

A typical honours year may include:
  • honours-level topics in advanced theory and research application, and applied research 
    methods
  • an honours thesis comprising an independent research project supervised by one of our academic researchers
  • field research
  • internships, placements or simulated real-world challenges to develop professional competencies to ensure you thrive in future careers.  

View study program

Practical experience

The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workforce.

  • Build your international professional network with overseas study.
  • Gain international perspectives first-hand through international exchange links and internship opportunities.
  • Get practical experience through industry placements.
  • Meet professionals working on current international ventures.
  • Learn a new language by selecting language topics.
  • Undertake research training pathways.
  • Engage with foreign affairs and defence officials in learning simulations
  • Experience South Australian politics first-hand through the South Australian Parliamentary Internship and the South Australian Government Cabinet Office Internship.  

What you will need

Prior to your industry placement, you will be required to complete and supply the following:

  • DCSI Screening and Background Check
  • National Police Clearance
  • Driver’s licence (required for most industry placements).    

Study abroad

There are opportunities to take your studies overseas through internships and short-term study abroad programs including:  

  • South Australian Parliamentary Internship 
  • Melbourne Consulate Internship 
  • Washington Internship Program 
  • International Network of Universities Global Citizenship Program, Japan 
  • New Colombo Plan opportunities in Indonesia and China and elsewhere.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 99.35 99.95
Median rank to receive an offer 84.10 86.75
Lowest rank to receive an offer 59.00 61.80

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students
Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024) Number of students Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) <5 <5
Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5
Work and life experience <5 <5
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) 26 53%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) 7 14%
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) <5 <5
International Students <5 <5
All students 49 100%

Add Innovation and Enterprise
to your degree

At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.

Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders, you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for the careers of tomorrow.

Learn More

Pursue multiple passions with a combined degree

Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science/Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice

A laws and legal practice degree from Flinders satisfies the academic and practical requirements required to practise law in South Australia. Combining these studies with a Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) opens the door to a multitude of careers in international organisations, aid and human rights, government, transnational crime, terrorism, and non-government organisations.

Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science/Bachelor of Languages

Combining your Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) with study of a language will open up a broader range of international study opportunities and improve your career prospects, both in Australia and overseas. Language studies also provide a greater understanding and appreciation of foreign cultures, which will further enrich your international relations and political science studies.

Other combined degree options

Expand your career options by combining this degree with one of the following:

Search all combined degree options

Projected employment growth 2018 to May 2023

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Source: Labour Market Information Portal, Department of Jobs and Small Business.

How to apply

1

Choose your preferred course.

 

2

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

 

3

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

 

4

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous higher education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through adult entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

Find the entry path that’s right for you.

Explore our pathways

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, another Flinders degrees you might want to include in your list is the Bachelor of Arts.

How to apply

1

Select your course.

 

2

Check entry requirements.

 

3

Check your eligibility for credit.

 

5

Obtain certified documents.

 

6

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice. 

Find out more

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

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Last Updated: 03 Feb 2023

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