La Trobe University

Bachelor of Arts (Politics)

Nationally Recognised Higher Education

The Politics major will train you to look at how power is used in different systems of government, at the way states relate to one another in the international system, and at the relationships between local, national and global institutions and how they operate. In this major you will compare the various institutions, processes, beliefs and cultures that societies have developed for settling conflict, ordering priorities and distributing wealth. By its nature, politics is an argumentative discipline, so you will learn how to navigate competing arguments and weigh up competing accounts of what actually happens with what ought to happen.

Undertaking a Politics major at La Trobe will connect you to experts in political theory, nationalism, democracy and democratisation, as well as Australian politics and institutions, international relations of the Asia-Pacific, and the politics of modern China, Russia and Southeast Asia./p>

Delivery mode

La Trobe University offers this course through the following delivery modes:

Blended

Combine the flexibility of online learning with the support of on campus learning.


Locations
  • Plenty Road, Bundoora, Melbourne

Entry requirements

Domestic Students

  • There are no mandated entry requirements.

Applicants with current or recent secondary education (within the last two years)

  • VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.
  • HSC: One of English Standard, English Advanced (Band 2), English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 3).

Applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work or community experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Subject adjustments

  • VCE: A study score of 25 in any Business, any Humanities, or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
  • HSC: Applicants who successfully complete one of the following HSC or equivalent Year 12 subjects will have their selection rank increased by one point per study: Performance Band 3 in humanities, legal studies, psychology, any language other than English (Band 2), or theatre studies subject; English (Band 3). Overall, selection ranks can be increased by a maximum of five points.

Applicants with higher education study

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

To be eligible for an offer of admission into the Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University, an applicant must:

  • Meet the stated criteria for Year 12 or Non-Year 12 admission, OR
  • Successful completion of two of the following four Open Access Pathway subjects:
  1. LST1LOJ - LAW AND (DIS)ORDER
  2. SOC1SAC - SOCIETY AND CULTURE: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
  3. ARC1THJ - THE HUMAN JOURNEY
  4. POL1SNS - STATES, SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

  • Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites

Applicants with work and life experience

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • Are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • Have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
  • Do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.
Additional requirements may apply.

Course fees

Estimated Fee* $0 - $37,212 $94,200 Fees are based on full-time study.
* Fees are indicative only and vary based on your circumstances and eligibility for government funding.
Standard Tuition:
$37,212
Standard Tuition:
$94,200
Full Fee Tuition:
$37,212
Full Fee Tuition:
$94,200
Enquire with La Trobe University to find out more.
Study mode Blended
Duration 3 Years
Estimated fee* $0 - $37,212 $94,200 Support may be available

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts (Politics) will prepare you for the following roles.

Diplomat

Diplomats, also known as Public Diplomacy Officers, work for the Australian government and are responsible for advancing Australian interests overs...

Avg yearly income $166,400
Entry barriers Low

Foreign Affairs Adviser

A Foreign Affairs Adviser shapes and implements national foreign policy through strategic planning and research on international issues. You’ll ana...

Avg yearly income $116,688
Entry barriers Low

Ministerial Liaison Officer

A Ministerial Liaison Officer facilitates communication and coordination between ministers, government departments, and stakeholders. You might wor...

Avg yearly income $70,200
Entry barriers Low

Policy Adviser

A Policy Adviser helps to develop and improve policies impacting on government departments, commercial businesses and not-for-profit organisations....

Avg yearly income $113,620
Entry barriers Low

Political Adviser

Political Advisors provide specialist advisory services to politicians, parliamentarians, and government officials. They are employed by state and...

Avg yearly income $119,600
Entry barriers Low

About La Trobe University

For more than 50 years, we have been transforming people and societies. We put our students at the centre of everything we do - with a dual emphasis on excellence and inclusivity.

With a proud history built on a mission to advance knowledge and learning to shape the future of our world, we are the most successful Australian university at combining accessibility and excellence. Our passionate teachers deliver globally recognised learning to our diverse student body.

Whether it’s our innovations in teaching and learning, our strong graduate employment outcomes or our leading research, the world’s most respected university ranking agencies consistently rate La Trobe among the world’s best.

Year after year, these results reflect our commitment to outstanding student experience, the career-readiness of our graduates, our ambitious research culture and our partnerships with communities, government and industry.