Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Politics)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wollongong

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Politics) at University of Wollongong is ideal for anyone curious about how politics shapes our world. You’ll explore political ideas, systems, and global issues, while building research and critical thinking skills that employers and further study pathways highly value.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You’ll begin by laying the foundations with units like POL111 Australian Politics and POL121 Politics in a Globalising World. These courses introduce you to how governments function, the big ideas behind political systems, and the ways politics influences society locally and globally.

Year 2:
In your second year, your focus shifts to deeper analysis and comparison. Units such as POL210 The European Union: Post-War Integration and other political economy or policy-focused courses help you understand how institutions, policies, and global events interact, giving you practical insight into real-world politics.

Year 3 (Honours Year):
The final year brings together all your learning with honours-level research. You’ll take advanced units like Research in Politics and International Studies and complete a supervised thesis. By the end, you’ll have developed strong research, critical thinking, and writing skills, preparing you for professional roles in policy, public service, or further postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

Political theory, international relations, political institutions, public policy, political economy, global governance

Learning Outcomes

Advanced research skills, critical analysis of political systems, independent thinking, academic writing, policy evaluation, and effective communication of complex ideas

Professional Alignment

Preparation for careers in public service, policy analysis, international relations, research, and a pathway to postgraduate study

Reputation

University of Wollongong is recognised globally for graduate employability and strong industry connections, consistently ranking highly in QS Graduate Employability Rankings

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UOW, studying Politics isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about rolling up your sleeves and getting real-world experience. You’ll have opportunities to step into workplaces, engage with political institutions, and see firsthand how policy and international relations operate. The campus also offers excellent facilities, from libraries packed with resources to supportive staff who guide your research and professional development.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical experience:

Credit-bearing internships: Take part in programs like CRLP202: Political and International Studies internships, giving you hands-on experience with real organisations.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): In your final year, apply your skills in placements with political institutions in Australia and abroad, gaining real-world insight into policy and governance.
Placement management tools: UOW’s SONIA platform helps you organise placements, paperwork, and professional opportunities seamlessly.
Library and research support: Access UOW’s extensive library collections, including political journals and archives, to strengthen your research and thesis projects.
Student societies and networking: Join clubs, debates, and social events to practise communication, critical thinking, and connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from UOW’s Politics honours degree leave with skills that open doors into both public service and private sector roles because employers value your ability to think critically, communicate clearly and research complex issues. Typical jobs include policy officer, parliamentary or ministerial adviser, public servant and project support officer, and many graduates also go on to strategic roles in consultancy and community organisations:

Dedicated career support: UOW’s Careers & Employability team offers one‑on‑one consultations, resume and interview workshops, job fairs and career expos to help you prepare for real roles and find positions that match your strengths.
Strong employment outcomes: University of Wollongong graduates overall have high rates of full‑time employment within months of finishing their degree, exceeding national averages, and are well regarded by employers in Australia and abroad.
Industry connections: Through internships and work‑integrated learning, you’ll build links with employers and professional networks that often lead directly to job opportunities once you graduate.
Transferable skills with long‑term value: The critical analysis, research and communication skills you develop are relevant across careers and recognised both in government sectors and in business settings, giving your degree lasting professional value.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to keep learning after your honours year, you’re well placed to move into postgraduate study here at UOW or elsewhere. Many politics graduates choose Master’s degrees in international relations, public policy, law or social sciences, or pursue higher research degrees like a PhD if they’re interested in academic or specialist research careers.

Additional Information & Requirements

The minimum English language requirement is an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, or a TOEFL iBT score of 86 overall with at least 18 in reading and writing, and 17 in listening and speaking.
The minimum academic requirement is completion of the International Baccalaureate with an overall score of at least 25 points.
The minimum academic requirement is completion of A Levels with grades of at least CCD (A* = 6, A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1).
The minimum academic requirement is an ATAR of at least 70 or an equivalent qualification.
To qualify for entry into Honours, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree with an average of at least 75% across the major (or majors) in which the Honours degree will be undertaken, with the additional requirement of a Distinction in two of the 300-level subjects required by the major.
Applicants are also required to complete a 500-word outline of the proposed thesis topic. The outline should indicate the topic the applicant wishes to research, as well as provide a justification for the significance of the research from a personal and/or intellectual point of view.
Students considering an Honours degree are encouraged to consult the Program Coordinator well in advance to seek approval for enrolment, discuss their program, and negotiate a thesis topic and supervisors.