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 2025 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
Program Structure
Introductory courses (3)
COR109 Investigating the World Around Us
INT100 Teaching HPE in the Early Years
INT140 Teaching Reading and Writing
Language courses (2)
Select 2 courses from:
IND110 Integration Across the Curriculum
IND111 Teaching Primary School Mathematics
IND210 Professional Practice: Teacher as Global Practitioner
IND211 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
IND310 Professional Learning: Transitioning into the Profession
IND311 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
ITL110 Teaching the Australian Curriculum: Languages
ITL111 Teaching Arts in Primary Schools
ITL210 Professional Practice: Teacher as Researcher
ITL211 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
ITL310 Communication and Thought
ITL311 International Politics: An Australian Perspective
JPN110 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
JPN111 Indonesian A
JPN210 Indonesian B
JPN211 Indonesian C
JPN310 Indonesian D
JPN311 Indonesian E
Advanced courses (7)
INT250 Indonesian F
JST202 Italian A
PLUS select 5 advanced courses for the Politics and International Relations major chosen from:
IND212 Italian B
INT202 Italian C
INT230 Italian D
INT235 Italian E
INT245 Italian F
INT257 Japanese A
INT270 Japanese B
INT274 Japanese C
INT276 Japanese D
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: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
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
- When enrolling, please refer to the Plan your study tab
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)