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
    • Ancient Philosophy
    • Policy, Democracy and Governance in Australia
    • Quantitative Methods for Business
    • Philosophy of the Human Person
    • Public Policy and Practice: The Business of Government
    • Moral Philosophy
    • Microeconomic Theory and Policy
    • Political Philosophy
    • Macroeconomic Theory and Practice
    • 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)

    Philosophy Electives

    • Philosophy Electives
    • History of Philosophy: Medieval
    • History of Philosophy: Modern
    • History of Philosophy: Contemporary
    • Business Ethics
    • Introduction to Formal Logic
    • Philosophy of Science
    • Philosophy of Language
    • Epistemology: Ways of Knowing
    • Aquinas: Analytic and Phenomenological Approaches
    • Introduction to Metaphysics
    • Faith and Reason
    • Philosophy of Religion

    Politics and International Relations Electives

    • News and Current Affairs
    • Religion and World Politics
    • Terrorism and Violent Extremism
    • Home and Away: Comparing Political Systems
    • Australian Foreign Policy
    • The Politics and History of Genocide
    • Terrorism and Intelligence
    • Nationalism, Ethnicity and Race
    • The Modern Middle East
    • Strategy, Security and Diplomacy
    • USA Foreign Policy Since 1945

    Economics Electives

    • Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Finance
    • Advanced Economics
    • Econometrics
    • Topics in Economics
    • The Economics of Financial Crisis

    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

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


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

  • 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 Study

    • 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).

    Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

    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

    • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank*

    OR

    • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

    *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

    Applicants with Higher Education Study

    • 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).

    Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

  • 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 POLI3008 Politics Internship, 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.

  • Study abroad

    A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

  • Fees and costs

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


    CSP
    A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the 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, 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.

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


    HECS-HELP
    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.


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

  • Student profile data

    The tables below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

    Sydney Student Profile Data

    TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    Applicant background

    Semester 1 2022

    Number of students

    Percentage of all students

    (A) Higher education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    N/AN/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) studyN/AN/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/AN/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
    N/AN/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    5100%
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students5100.0%

    TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offersATAR
    (Excluding adjustment factors) *
    Selection Rank
    (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *
    [only if relevant]
    Highest rank to receive an offer N/A N/A
    Median rank to receive an offer N/A N/A

    Lowest rank to receive an offer

    N/A N/A

    Notes:  

    “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
    N/A – Students not accepted in this category
    N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

    In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

  • More information

    Considering your uni options?

    Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.


    For more information, please contact our Prospective Students Office.

    Fremantle and Broome
    Phone: +61 8 9433 0533
    Email: future@nd.edu.au
    Sydney and Melbourne
    Phone: +61 2 8204 4404
    Email: sydney@nd.edu.au

    All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.


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*2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-Longitudinal (medium term outcome), undergraduate category, **2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category and ***2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category - qilt.edu.au

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