Let your voice be heard and play a role in Australia’s international relations.
Expand your knowledge with studies in international justice and human rights, public policy in a global era, and international security. Develop strong communication skills as you research and present arguments in international politics.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2024 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Expand your knowledge with studies in international justice and human rights, public policy in a global era, and international security. Develop strong communication skills as you research and present arguments in international politics.
You’ll increase your understanding of political, cultural and economic systems of other countries and regions. Choose to take an internship of 10-12 days in a political setting giving you practical experience and industry connections. Our students have previously interned with state and federal politicians, Amnesty International, local councils and community organisations.
Immerse yourself in another culture and travel overseas to study a semester in another country. Broaden your career options and choose a major or minor in Comparative Studies, Development Studies or International Business. Or, if learning a language speaks to you, take your pick of either Indonesian, Italian or Japanese.
Majors
Comparative Studies, Development Studies, Indonesian, International Business, Italian, Japanese
Career opportunities
Defence, intelligence, foreign affairs, foreign policy, international business, political advice, interpreting / translating (with further study).
Membership
The Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Program structure
Introductory courses (3)
COR109 Community Planning Studio
INT100 Planning Project
INT140 Planning Project
Language courses (2)
Select 2 courses from:
IND110 Planning Project
IND111 Planning Project
IND210 Communication and Thought
IND211 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession
IND310 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
IND311 Talking History: Memory and the Past
ITL110 20th Century and Beyond: A History
ITL111
ITL210 Cultural Heritage
ITL211 Life and Death in the City: From Settlement to Federation
ITL310 Migrants' Lives in the World
ITL311 Upfront: History of Film in Australia
JPN110 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts
JPN111 Teaching Senior Secondary English
JPN210 Individual Learner Needs
JPN211 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
JPN310 Junior Secondary Arts
JPN311 Teaching Junior Secondary English
Advanced courses (7)
INT250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
JST202 Diversity and Inclusion
PLUS select 5 advanced courses for the Politics and International Relations major chosen from:
IND212 Secondary Professional Experience: Diversity and Inclusion
INT202 The Psychology of Learning
INT230 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
INT235 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
INT245 Using Data for Learning
INT257 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
INT270 Business Law and Ethics
INT274 Law of Business Associations
INT276 Taxation Law and Practice
Major or Minor courses (8)
Select 1 major or 2 minors from:
* Students commencing in Semester 2 and completing a major in Indonesian or Italian will need to complete In-Country studies or increase the duration to a minimum of 3.5 years.
^ Students undertaking the International Business minor are required to use elective courses from the School of Business to meet prerequisite requirements.
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 advanced level (200/300 coded) elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Please note that the number of electives may vary depending on the combinations of major or minors chosen.
^ Students undertaking the International Business minor are required to use elective courses from the School of Business to meet pre-requisite requirements.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)