Policy Studies

Are you seeking a dynamic career in politics, the public service, advocacy organisations, not-for-profit social and community services or private industry?

The ANU Bachelor of Policy Studies equips you with a comprehensive understanding of Australian public policies and related international policies. 

This well-regarded education experience includes the Applied Policy Project, in which you will be engaged in an intensive student-led investigation of a policy issue or controversy relevant to your interests. You may also have the opportunity to attend the Australian National Internship Program.

Our program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge you need to gather and analyse a range of economic, demographic and social data, to evaluate public policies and programs, and to participate in policy design, advocacy and communication.

Career Options

Employment Opportunities

Graduates may find work in the private and public sectors including banking, finance, politics, journalism, international affairs, diplomatic services, national and international law firms, non-government and non-profit organisations, academia, government and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the requirements of the program, students will have the skills and knowledge to: 

1. define key areas of contemporary Australian public policy; 
2. critique the historical development of current Australian public policies; 
3. gather and analyse economic data, social data, and statistics related to Australian public policies; 
4. interpret and evaluate the outcomes of analysis of Australian public policies; 
5. produce professional written documentation for use within the Australian policy process; 
6. communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, the findings of policy analysis and the evaluation of public policies; and 
7. engage and intervene effectively in the contemporary Australian public policy process to effect change. 

The Bachelor of Policy 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:

66 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy

POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government

POPS2001 Population Studies

SOCY1002 Self and Society

SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 Qualitative Research Methods

SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice

SOCY3123 Policy and Program Evaluation

SOCY3030 Applied Policy Project

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

ECON1100 Economics 1 (H)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

6 units from completion of an Australian Politics course from the following list:

HIST2227 Australian Political History

POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions

POLS2121 Ideas in Australian Politics

6 units from completion of a Political Theory course from the following list:

PHIL2065 Politics and Rights

PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2119 Ideas in Politics

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

12 units from completion of Key Issues in Policy Studies courses from the following list:

ANIP3005 Australian National Internship B

ASIA1022 Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

ASIA2020 Engaging Asia: Working with Government

ENVS3001 Climate Change Science and Policy in Practice

ENVS3020 Climate Change Science and Policy

ENVS3028 Environmental Policy

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy

INDG3001 Public policy development and implementation and Indigenous Australians

LING2022 Language Policy and Language Politics

SOCY2021 Education and Society

SOCY2022 Environmental Sociology

SOCY2056 Sociology of Work and Employment

SOCY2058 Doing Criminology (Studies in Social Problems)

SOCY2062 Key Issues in Criminology I

SOCY3016 Key Issues in Criminology II

SOCY3021 Sociology of Health and Illness

STST2001 International Security Issues in the Asia-Pacific

STST2002 Internal Security Issues in the A-P

STST2003 Securing Australia's Asia-Pacific 'Arc of Instability'

STST3002 Australian Security in the Asian Century

STST3003 The Evolution and Roles of Australia's Security and Intelligence Organisations

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

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.) 

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.