HomeCoursesHumanities and social sciencesBachelor degree
Bachelor degree · university
Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations)
This arts degree focuses on how governments work and how countries deal with each other.
- How long it takes
- 3 years
- full time
- Entry ATAR
- From 62.2
- Lowest offered at The University of Adelaide, 2024
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Taught by
- 2 providers
- WA, SA
Is this course right for you?
What the Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how governments and societies work
- curiosity about world events and global issues
- good written and verbal communication skills
- a willingness to read widely and think critically
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
Where this course can take you
No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.
Jobs a degree can help with
None of these jobs needs a set qualification.
Electorate Officer
Electorate officers handle constituent enquiries and run the day-to-day administration of a local MP's office.
Median pay$78,000 (estimate)
Lobbyist
Lobbyists put a client's case to politicians and public servants, and follow the policy decisions that affect them.
Median pay$130,000 (estimate)
Local Councillor
Local councillors are elected to set the direction of a council: the services, rates and infrastructure their community lives with.
Median pay$52,000 (estimate)
Member of Parliament
Members of parliament are elected to represent an electorate or region, debate the laws put before the parliament and vote on whether they pass.
Median pay$234,000 (estimate)
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
Where you can study this course
There are 2 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
Edith Cowan University
Joondalup, WA
4.3from 679 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 74.8 lowest
- (74.8 median, 2026)
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
- Website for The University of Adelaide (opens in a new tab)
The University of Adelaide
Adelaide, SA
4.4from 869 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 62.2 lowest
- (67.35 median, 2024)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations).
- Australian politics
- International relations
- Foreign policy and governance
- Global justice and the environment
- Research and analysis
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is for people who want to study politics and international relations at bachelor degree level.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check with the provider you choose before you apply.