Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

School of Philosophy & Theology

The Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics is designed for those who want to understand human communities and society. The program trains future leaders and professionals to make a difference in all walks of life. Students will learn to integrate knowledge, by focussing on how society can either promote or thwart human flourishing. Philosophy will give the concepts and skills to identify questions and problems, thinking through them clearly and creatively. Studying Politics, students will consider governance, leadership, and the importance of law and policy. Through economics, they will learn to solve a range of problems through economic reasoning. Bringing together these disciplines, graduates will appreciate the central importance of the human person’s quest to lead a good life, working with others toward the common good.

• Why study this degree?

  The degree will equip students to be attentive to the role of religion within society, and the importance of civil disagreement in the public square. All students have the opportunity to undertake an internship during their degree. The program also includes the option for an accelerated pathway toward a Masters degree, enabling students to complete a Bachelors and a Masters degree within four years.

• Program summary

  Required courses

  • Introduction to World Politics
  • Economics
  • Methods and Basic Problems of Philosophy
  • Policy, Democracy and Governance in Australia
  • Quantitative Methods for Business
  • Critical Thinking
  • History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • Microeconomic Theory and Policy
  • History of Philosophy: Medieval
  • Macroeconomic Theory and Practice
  • Advanced Economics
  • Internship in Philosophy, Politics or Business

  Electives

  Electives (students will choose from a discipline area to graduate with at least one major, in Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, or Economics)

  Seven (7) elective courses comprising:

  • Two (2) 2000-level philosophy elective courses
  • Two (2) 3000-level philosophy elective courses
  • Two (2) politics elective courses, and
  • One (1) economics elective course.

  Philosophy elective courses:

  • PHIL2001 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHIL2002 Philosophy of Love and Friendship
  • PHIL2003 Moral Philosophy
  • PHIL2010 Introduction to Formal Logic
  • PHIL2060 Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL2070 Philosophy of Language
  • PHIL3000 Aquinas – Analytic and Phenomenological approaches
  • PHIL3030 Introduction to Metaphysics
  • PHIL3040 Metaphysics, Being, and God
  • PHIL3060 Faith and Reason
  • PHIL3070 Philosophy of Education
  • PHIL3300 Epistemology
  • PHIL3310 Cosmology and Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL3510 Metaphysics - Theories of Being and Existence
  • PHIL3010 Business Ethics
  • PHIL3050 Aesthetics: The Philosophy of Art
  • PHIL3080 Natural Law
  • PHIL3410 Political Philosophy
  • PHIL3004 Virtue Ethics and Personalism
  • PHIL3005 Metaethics
  • PHIL3520 Philosophy of Religion

  Head of School’s approval is required to enrol in the following courses

  • PHIL3900 Directed Individual Study
  • PHIL3950 Special Topics in Philosophy and Ethics

  Politics elective courses:

  • POLI3001 Information Disorder and Political Warfare
  • POLI3003 Setting the Agenda: the Media and Politics (Fremantle only)
  • POLI3004 Terrorism and Violent Extremism (Fremantle only)
  • POLI3005 Intelligence and International Security (Fremantle only)
  • POLI3009 Australian Foreign Policy
  • POLI3024 US Foreign Policy Since 1945
  • POLI3015 Nationalism, Ethnicity and Race (Sydney only)
  • POLI3022 The Modern Middle East (Sydney only)
  • HIST2021 History and Politics of Southeast Asia (Sydney only)
  • POLI3012 The Politics and History of Genocide (Sydney only)

  Economics elective courses:

  • BUSN2060 Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Finance (has as prerequisite BUSN1030 Quantitative Methods for Business)
  • BUSN2080 Topics in Economics
  • BUSN2350 The Economics of Financial Crisis
  • BUSN2080 History of Austrian Economics
  • BUSN2130 Human Resources Economics
  • BUSN3390 Econometrics (has as prerequisite BUSN2060 Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Finance)

  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 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 4 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 4 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).

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates will be able to:

  1. Identify and evaluate foundational principles and methods in the academic disciplines of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  2. Evaluate, through comparison and contrast, the overlaps and divergences between methods and principles of the disciplines
  3. Apply knowledge of philosophy, politics, and economics, to issues and problems within society
  4. Apply skills of research to key philosophical, political, and economic questions and issues, using appropriate resources and methods; and
  5. Communicate ideas about issues and problems in society, clearly and openly, to a range of audiences who may agree or disagree with a certain perspective, individually and in collaborative contexts.

• Practical component

  You will be required to take two of ARTS3002 Internship or Professional Project, BUSN3900 Business Internship, or PHTH3001 Philosophy and Theology Internship.

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• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from advocacy, journalism and media, international diplomacy and trade missions, policy development, government administration, academic teaching, public libraries, research institutes, Church ministry and agencies, parish adult faith programs, education and teaching (upon completion of a graduate-entry teaching qualification), script writing, advertising, Catholic and Christian schools, pastoral counselling.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• 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