Bachelor of Arts(Politics) and Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Southern Queensland

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Science at the University of Southern Queensland is a four-year double degree that combines an understanding of political systems with practical scientific skills. You’ll explore how governments and policies shape society while also developing expertise in areas like data analysis, environmental science, or computing — giving you a flexible and career-ready skill set.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation across both disciplines. In politics, you’ll start with courses such as HAC1100 Creating Impact and HAC1004 Storytelling, while your politics major introduces you to the basics of government and power. On the science side, you’ll take core units like SCI1001 Succeeding in Science, CSC1401 Foundation Programming, and MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics, which develop your scientific thinking and technical skills.

Year 2
Second year deepens your knowledge in both areas. Politics courses focus on understanding how decisions are made and how media shapes public opinion, while science units such as STA2190 Experimental Design and Analysis and SCI2201 How Science Changes the World teach research methods and how science is applied to real-world problems. This year strengthens your analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Year 3
By your third year, you can specialise further. In politics, you’ll explore advanced topics like governance, public policy, or international relations. In science, you can choose majors such as Biology, Geospatial Science, Applied Computing, or Environment and Sustainability, often including project-based or work-integrated learning units like SCI3302 Work-Integrated Learning to apply your skills in real-world contexts.

Year 4
In your final year, you’ll consolidate your learning with advanced electives and capstone projects. Units like SCI3304 Integrative Science Portfolio and Professional Identity help you combine knowledge from politics and science, preparing you for professional practice or further study.

Focus areas

Politics, public policy, research skills, critical thinking, scientific analysis, data and computing, environmental and life sciences, communication

Learning outcomes

Develop strong analytical thinking, research and data interpretation skills, an understanding of political systems and scientific methods, effective communication, and the ability to apply knowledge across diverse contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This degree equips you with a versatile skill set valued in government, research, education, science-based industries, communication, and policy roles — making you well-prepared for a variety of career paths.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UniSQ’s double degree programs are known for blending practical scientific training with arts-based critical thinking, giving graduates a competitive edge and highly transferable skills across multiple sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UniSQ, this double degree is designed so you can put your learning into practice from day one. You’ll gain hands-on experience in both science and politics, whether that’s analysing data, working on real-world policy projects, or conducting experiments in labs. The university provides excellent facilities to support your learning, including modern libraries, collaborative study spaces, computer labs, and access to the latest digital tools, so you can work individually or with your peers anytime.

Some of the practical opportunities and resources you’ll have include:

Work-Integrated Learning units: Courses like SCI3302 Work‑Integrated Learning let you apply your scientific knowledge directly in professional settings, giving you real-world experience as part of your degree.
Integrative projects: Units such as SCI3304 Integrative Science Portfolio and Professional Identity help you combine your learning across arts and science, building a portfolio that showcases your skills to future employers.
Libraries and research support: UniSQ’s libraries offer extensive resources, quiet study areas, and research assistance, making it easy to complete high-quality projects and assignments.
Computer labs and digital tools: Campus labs equipped with Windows, Mac, and Linux machines, along with free Wi-Fi, give you the technology you need for coursework, group projects, and research.
Field and research facilities: Depending on your science major, you’ll have access to labs, field-linked environments, and research centres to carry out experiments and hands-on investigations.

These experiences are designed to make sure you graduate with practical skills, confidence, and a professional portfolio that will set you apart in both scientific and policy-related careers.

Facilities list: You can explore UniSQ’s full range of libraries, labs, and other student facilities on the official campus facilities page.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with the Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Science at the University of Southern Queensland prepares you for a wide variety of exciting career paths. You could work as a policy analyst in environmental or public sectors, a research scientist, a data-focused communications specialist, or in roles that combine science with public policy and community engagement. This combination of political insight and scientific expertise gives you flexibility and confidence to step into diverse professional settings:

Career support: UniSQ’s Careers & Employability team offers personalised career advice, resume and interview coaching, internship guidance, and access to job listings and networking events to help you move smoothly from study to work.
Employment outcomes: Many UniSQ graduates secure full-time work soon after finishing their degree, with competitive starting salaries that reflect the real-world value of the skills you develop.
Industry partnerships: The university works closely with employers across science, research, and policy sectors, providing opportunities to build professional networks and gain hands-on experience while you study.
Accreditation and professional value: The combination of scientific research skills and political analysis is highly regarded across industries, giving your degree lasting relevance and credibility.
Graduate outcomes: Thanks to the focus on practical learning and work-integrated experiences, graduates leave UniSQ career-ready and confident to take on roles in multiple sectors. Graduates could expect to earn between AUD 50,000 and 65,000 per annum.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, there are several strong pathways available. You could pursue an honours year to deepen your research skills or enrol in a master’s program, such as a Master of Science or Master of Public Policy, to specialise further. These options open doors to leadership positions, advanced research, or even academic careers, helping you shape a professional journey tailored to your goals.