Bachelors of Business Management / Arts(Political Science)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Queensland

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business Management / Arts at the University of Queensland combines the practical skills of business with the critical thinking and broad perspective of an arts degree. It’s perfect for students who want to lead in business while also exploring subjects like politics, languages, or culture, giving you a flexible degree that aligns with both your career goals and personal interests.

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll lay the groundwork in both business and arts. Business courses introduce leadership, marketing, and the basics of how organisations operate, while arts subjects such as Introduction to Political Ideas or Introduction to Australian Politics develop your ability to think critically about how policies and institutions shape society. You’ll start exploring your major options and electives, giving you a clear path for your studies.

Year 2:
The second year builds on this foundation, with business courses in economics, strategy, or human resources helping you analyse markets and manage people effectively. Meanwhile, arts subjects like Political Problems and Public Policy give you practical tools to examine real-world challenges and understand the forces behind public decision-making. This combination strengthens both your analytical skills and practical knowledge.

Year 3:
By the third year, your business courses focus on advanced topics such as business information systems and international business, preparing you for global and digital work environments. In your arts major, subjects like Political Thought: Machiavelli to Modernity allow you to explore the ideas shaping political systems historically and today, connecting theory with real-world applications.

Year 4:
In your final year, you’ll take advanced courses in both areas that bring together everything you’ve learned — from strategic business decision-making to analysing political and social systems. This year also lets you tailor your subjects to suit your career interests, whether that’s leadership, consulting, policy analysis, or international business, ensuring your degree is both personally meaningful and professionally relevant.

Focus areas:
Business management, leadership, marketing, economics, political ideas, public policy, critical analysis, cultural understanding

Learning outcomes:
Strategic thinking, effective communication, analytical problem-solving, understanding of business operations and social systems

Professional alignment:
This dual degree equips you with practical business skills and a strong understanding of social and political systems — qualities highly valued in careers like management, consulting, policy analysis, international relations, and organisational leadership.

Reputation:
UQ is consistently ranked among the top universities globally, and in Queensland it is recognised for excellence in both arts and humanities as well as business and management, giving your degree strong credibility with employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Business Management / Arts (Political Science) at the University of Queensland, your learning goes far beyond lectures and textbooks. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings, build professional skills, and make connections that will help launch your career. UQ supports this through structured work-integrated learning programs, internships, and excellent campus resources like libraries and career tools, giving you the chance to put theory into practice:

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) courses: In later years, you can take WIL courses that let you earn credit while gaining hands-on experience through internships, consulting projects, or capstone activities that combine business and political science skills.
Internship opportunities: You can complete supervised work placements, often around 120 hours, to gain practical workplace experience, build industry insight, and enhance your CV before graduation.
Political science internships: Through the School of Political Science & International Studies, you can take part in internships specific to political science, where you apply research, analysis, and communication skills in real organisations.
Career support and networking tools: UQ’s Careers and Employability services help you get ready for internships and graduate roles with workshops on CV writing, interview preparation, networking events, and online career tools.
Campus resources: You’ll have access to UQ’s extensive libraries and research databases, supporting both business and arts projects and helping you conduct independent research and professional-level work.

These hands-on experiences make your degree more than just classroom learning. They help you develop practical skills, build confidence in professional settings, and create a network of connections that can support your career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business Management / Arts (Political Science) at the University of Queensland leave with a strong mix of practical business skills and a deep understanding of political and social systems — a combination that employers really value. Many go on to careers as business analysts, policy advisors, management consultants, or corporate communications officers, applying both analytical thinking and real-world insight. With UQ’s career support and strong graduate outcomes, this degree gives you a solid foundation for success:

UQ Careers and Employability: The university’s careers team offers one-on-one guidance, workshops, networking events, and the UQ Employability Award to help you build your skills, gain work experience, and connect with employers.
Faculty career support: The Business, Economics & Law Careers team provides tailored support, including advice on internships, CV writing, career fairs, and industry connections to help you prepare for graduate roles.
Internships and industry exposure: You can take part in domestic, international, or virtual internships and industry experience projects, giving you hands-on experience and professional connections before you graduate.
Graduate outcomes: UQ undergraduates enjoy strong employment prospects, with a high percentage securing full-time work soon after graduation, and employers consistently note their high level of readiness and capability. Graduates could earn between AUD 60,000 and 75,000 per annum.
Long-term value and reputation: A degree from UQ is widely respected in Australia and internationally, giving you confidence that your qualification will be recognised and valued across business, consulting, and policy roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing this dual degree, you have the option to continue your studies with postgraduate programs such as a Master of Business Management, specialised master’s degrees in public policy or international relations, or other leadership, strategy, or research-focused programs. Postgraduate study can open doors to more advanced career opportunities, leadership roles, and research positions, helping you expand both your expertise and professional potential.