Bachelor of Politics & Journalism

School of Arts & Sciences

If you wish to pursue a career in politics, public relations or the media, The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Politics & Journalism is the perfect blend. Combining the study of politics and journalism into a single degree, graduates of this program will be equipped to pursue a career anywhere in the world. This degree combines Australian political theory with hands-on experience in various forms of media, so you will be comfortable working in radio, television, print, video, or digital formats. Get in touch today to start your career journey.

• Why study this degree?

  This specialist Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Politics & Journalism will appeal to anyone with a strong interest in Australian politics and journalism, combining the two disciplines into a single course of study. In addition to studying Australian politics and international relations, you will receive a solid grounding in media theory, plus the opportunity to gain practical experience in various forms of journalism, including print, broadcast, and online media.

  The skills you will develop in the Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) will be attractive to future employers. Being able to research, analyse, interpret, draw conclusions, and problem-solve is what is needed in the flexible workplace of the 21st century. Communication skills in all forms, teamwork, initiative, and adaptability are also at the heart of this version of the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  To complete the Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism), you will study 24 courses, including three in Politics & International Relations and eight in Journalism. You will also study one Business course, one History course and two general electives. The choice of courses is designed to improve your analytical and creative skills while imparting essential content knowledge.

  This degree offers you the opportunity to participate in our internship program, where you will learn on location in a real work environment such as a publishing company, TV studio or radio station, and get credit towards your degree. Overseas internships are possible.

  Service-learning through our Social Justice area combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Placements for some courses are in the local community, and there is also the opportunity to take the international version of this course and travel to locations such as Cambodia.

• Program summary

  Required Courses

  ALL students are required to complete the following Courses:

  • ARTS1000 Academic Writing, Communication and Research
  • ABOR1000 Aboriginal People

  Politics & International Relations Courses

  • POLI1000 Introduction to World Politics
  • POLI1001 Politics, Democracy and Governance in Australia
  • POLI3001 Information Disorder and Political Warfare
  • POLI3003 Setting the Agenda: The Media and Politics
  • TWO (2) Politics and International Relations elective Courses

  Journalism Courses

  • COMM1420 Introduction to Journalism
  • COMM2340 Journalism: Theory and Practice
  • COMM3050 Media Ethics and Law
  • One (1) Capstone Course comprising either COMM3002 Digital Journalism
    Portfolio OR ARTS3002 Internship or Professional Project
  • TWO (2) Journalism elective Courses

  Elective Courses

  • 200 units of credit from courses offered by the School of Arts and Sciences

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses and teaching staff is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements WA

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

  * Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Entry requirements NSW

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

  OR

  • Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Experience Based Entry

  If you are currently in Year 12 and completing the ATAR, General, VET, or Enabling pathway, you may be eligible to secure a place at Notre Dame University through experience based entry. Mature age applicants can apply by combining their academic background with relevant work experience. See Experience Based Entry for further details.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate broad theoretical and practical knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and
     concepts related to politics, international relations and journalism;
  2. Identify appropriate sources and evaluate information
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of different conceptual approaches and/or research methods
  4. Identify the ethical considerations informing the study and professional practice of politics,
     international relations and journalism
  5. Synthesise knowledge and apply skills in order to solve complex political and cultural problems
  6. Communicate arguments and/or ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a range of
     forms
  7. Exemplify the technical and professional skills required in the domains of politics, international
     relations and journalism
  8. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others
  9. Reflect upon personal knowledge, skills and experiences drawn from the study and practice of
     politics, international relations and journalism.

• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; many employers will welcome the transferable skills. The following careers are open to graduates of this program: diplomatic service officer, member of parliament, electorate officer, political campaign assistant, social research officer, public affairs consultant, media advisor, human rights worker, intelligence analyst, public service officer, social media manager, aid worker/humanitarian worker and policy analyst.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. While not a requirement, internship courses and work-integrated learning opportunities are available to enable you to gain on-the-job experience with professionals in your chosen field.

  Internships: This degree offers you the opportunity to take part in our Internship program where you will learn on location in a real work environment such as a publishing company, TV studio and radio station, and get credit towards your degree. Overseas internships are possible.

  Service-learning: Service-learning through our Social Justice area combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Placements for some courses are in local the community and there is also the opportunity to take the international version of this course and travel to locations such as Cambodia.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism) (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Arts & Sciences.

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education.

  Students can immerse themselves in other cultures with Study abroad, through our international exchange programs, study tours, and professional placements. These experiences provide valuable academic and personal growth while earning credit toward your degree.

  You can also engage with the world through Global experiences, volunteer opportunities and cross-cultural initiatives designed to develop your global citizenship and broaden your understanding of international communities.

  Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• Student profile data

  ATAR and selection rank profile

  The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

  Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

  View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007