Development Studies

Want to make positive changes and help the Third World? The ANU Bachelor of Development Studies is the right degree for you. ANU is a leader in the field of Development Studies and has established relationships with Australian and international aid and development organisations.You will gain an inter-disciplinary understanding of theory and practice concerning the processes of development in the Third World, with special competence concerning one or two of four areas: Central Asia and the Middle East, China, Oceania, South and Southeast Asia, together with a solid background in one of the relevant social science disciplines.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates have opportunities to work in a broad range of sectors. Some of these include aid agencies, multi-national companies, non-government organisations, government departments and international bodies, such as the United Nations.

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this program enables students to:  

• identify the theory and principles of development
• analyse the practice of development through multilateral, bilateral, government and non-government agencies. 
• recall critical development issues in particular regions of the South  
• engage in one of the social science disciplines or a language other than English

The Bachelor of Development Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:

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

The 144 units must include:

48 units from completion of the Development Studies major 

24 units from completion of the Regional Studies in Development Specialisation

 Either:

24 units for completion of one of the following minors:

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Spanish Studies

Anthropology

Arabic

Chinese Language

Classical Chinese

Environmental Studies

French Language and Culture

Geography

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Human Ecology

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Korean Language

Persian

Political Science

Russian

Sanskrit Language

Sociology

Spanish Language and Culture

Thai Language

Urdu Language

Vietnamese Language

Or:

24 units from completion of an internship

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Majors

• Development Studies

Minors

• Advanced French Studies
• Advanced German Studies
• Advanced Italian Studies
• Advanced Spanish Studies
• Anthropology
• Arabic
• Biological Anthropology
• Chinese Language
• Classical Chinese
• Development Studies

• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Studies
• French Language and Culture
• Geography
• German Language and Culture
• Hindi Language
• Human Ecology
• Indonesian Language
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language

• Persian
• Political Science
• Russian
• Sanskrit Language
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Sustainable Development
• Thai Language
• Urdu Language
• Vietnamese Language

Specialisations

• Regional Studies in Development

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:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma or Graduate Certificate; 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

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

Requirements for domestic applicants:

ATAR:80

QLD Band:10

International Baccalaureate:29

For international students:

Refer to the table to see if you meet the requirements:

http://www.anu.edu.au/files/resource/IntAdmissTabl2014e.pdf 

English Language Requirements:

ANU recognizes a number of English language tests as meeting the University’s English language requirements. The acceptable tests are IELTS (an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6 in each component of the test), TOEFL-paper based test (a score of 570), TOEFL-internet based test (a score of 80, with a minimum of 20 in Reading and Writing and 18 in Speaking and Listening), Cambridge CAE Advanced (80, grade A), PTE Academic (overall 64, minimum 55 in each section.) 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility 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.

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.