Bachelor of International Relations

The Bachelor of International Relations prepares students for fascinating careers in a globalising world.

Global and regional interdependence means that no state is unaffected by developments beyond its borders.

Prosperity and security are based on international orientations.

Businesses, governments and organisations need people equipped not only with relevant professional skills, but also with competencies in International Relations.

Students explore a rich variety of interconnected issues in International Relations and the factors which shape them, including war and peace on our planet, human security, diplomacy, governance and the influence of climate change on the future world.

Graduates of the program will gain an insight into the politics, economy, diplomacy both in Australia and other world geographic regions.

An in-depth understanding of the world around us and the skills needed for its interpretation, equip students for their future employment in International Relations and many other areas where such capacities are required.

View the Bachelor of International Relations - Program Structure and Sequencing

The Bachelor of International Relations program comprises 24 subjects, as follows:

University core subjects (3)

• CORE11-001 Critical Thinking and Communication (CORE 1)
• CORE11-002 Collaboration, Teams and Leadership (CORE 2)
• CORE11-003 Responsibility, Integrity and Civic Discourse (CORE 3)

Plus: Beyond Bond: Professional Development and Community Engagement

Required Subjects (12)

Students must choose twelve (12) subjects from the following:

• Introduction to International Relations
• Political Philosophy: Freedom, Justice and the State
• Geopolitics
• Hacking, Networks and Security
• Australian Public and Foreign Policy
• The United Nations
• Public Diplomacy and Social Media
• Political Economy 
• Terrorism
• China's Defence and Security
• Eurasia
• Australia and the Asia-Pacific
• Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
• Peace and War
• The Americas
• Climate Change and the Future World
• Contemporary Globalisations
• World Languages
• Asia's Rising Powers
• The New Europe
• Africa and the Middle East
• International Model United Nations and Study Tour*
• Internship A**

*Faculty approval required**CDC approval required. A minimum GPA of 2 is required to undertake internship. 

Major Options (6)

Students must choose one of the following options: 

Electives (3)

Students can choose 3 subjects from the list of available subjects from across the University.

International students

To fulfil your student visa requirements, you will need to enrol in 40 credit points per semester.

Domestic students

Most students undertake four (4) subjects per semester (equivalent to 40 credit points). You may however, enrol in fewer subjects and extend your degree over a longer period.

Teaching methodology

Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.

Academic requirements

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)

Entry score for 2021 entry

Visit our student profile if you are interested in the profile of all students who commenced undergraduate study at the Faculty in the January semester 2020.

Applicants must meet the University's general minimum admission criteria.

2021 Year 12 Entry

To ensure students are not disadvantaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, current Year 12 students can be assessed now for a guaranteed offer for 2021 entry conditional on the completion of Year 12. Applications will be assessed based on their first semester Year 12 results and meeting any subject prerequisite requirements for their program. Find out more.

Graduates of this program will have a global perspective which will suit their areas of interest and professional goals whilst having developed the skill base necessary to operate in a global environment. Graduates could expect to find employment in Defence, Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, International Business, Media, Trade.