Bachelor of International Studies

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Why study the Bachelor of International Studies at UNE?

The Bachelor of International Studies is a three year degree. The degree comprises units with a global perspective from several disciplines. Topical issues include global security, earth in crisis, Islamic studies, cross-cultural communication, trade, the European Union, and Australia's relations with the US, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Students choose two from three majors to specialise in areas of their choice such as Global Politics and Peace; Societies (featuring sociology, development and religion); and Languages.

Language can be undertaken in the first year. If students elect to major in Languages they can do one language and its culture to an advanced level (Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese or Spanish). Students who undertake the Languages major have the opportunity of transferring, after completion of 96 credit points, to the four-year Bachelor of International and Language Studies and studying abroad for a year. In-country experience and language skills are valued by prospective employers and students have found it immensely rewarding. Please note that in-country experience is currently not available for those students undertaking Spanish but development of such a program is under investigation.

For both language and non-language students there is scope to do an overseas exchange trimester with one of UNE's partners in North America, Europe or Asia.

There is also the option of applying for the Bachelor of International Studies with Honours after completing the Bachelor of International Studies or Bachelor of International and Language Studies. Honours comprises coursework and thesis on a topic of interest to the student.

This degree can be studied both on and off campus. The teaching of linguistics and languages, in particular, at UNE is done with cutting edge technology.

Career Opportunities

To prepare students for further studies and/or employment in fields relating to international policy and advocacy which can include professions within government, inter-governmental and non-government organisations and the business sector such as the following: defence forces; environmental advocacy; human rights advocacy; immigration; intelligence agencies; international diplomacy; international commerce; journalism; non-government organisations; overseas development assistance; postgraduate studies and academia; public policy making and advice; and public relations.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2013 ATAR / OP

72.55 / 12

2014 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Off Campus
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus

Official Abbreviation

BIntSt

Course Type

Undergraduate

CRICOS Code

049780G

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	Off Campus

Course Duration

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

2013 ATAR

72.55

2013 OP

Fees

CSP / International

Total Credit Points

144

Benefits

Students who have completed 96 credit points of the Bachelor of International Studies may apply for admission to the Bachelor of International and Language Studies. The Language Studies (four year) version of the course provides for and requires a full year's study at an overseas partner university. Admission is with the permission of the Course Coordinator and the Head of the School.

Intensive Schools

Intensive mandatory schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy).

Additional Requirements

Assumed knowledge is any two units of English.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Honours

Candidates who have successfully completed the Bachelor of International Studies may, on the recommendation of the head of school concerned, continue to an honours year. The honours program shall include advanced coursework and a dissertation.

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Academic Colours

White (BCC 1)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of International Studies in 2014.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy).

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) three years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level, at least 72 credit points at 300-level and not more than 12 credit points at 400-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	18-24 cps
Listed Units	24-30 cps
TWO Majors	72 cps
Elective Units	24 cps
Total	144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Global Politics and Peace
Languages
Societies

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements including two majors shall be awarded the Bachelor of International Studies

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in Arts on completion of 48 credit points. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Diploma in Arts must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements for the Bachelor of International Studies. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.

Course Aims

To prepare students for further studies and/or employment in fields relating to international policy and advocacy, which can include professions within government, inter-governmental and non-government organisations, and the business sector.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

demonstrate knowledge of key themes in international studies relating to diplomacy, economics, peace, development, security and the environment;
exhibit an awareness of diverse societies, polities, religions and cross-cultural communication;
command a basic proficiency in a foreign language; and
identify actors, processes and impacts of globalisation.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline

Students will develop a knowledge of one or more cognate disciplines in their chosen majors.

Communication Skills

Students are expected to develop good communication skills in their written work. They will adopt a scholarly approach to research, presentation, writing and referencing. Assessment tasks foster these skills. On-campus students hone verbal skills in class.

Global Perspectives

By definition international studies units emphasise a global perspective. In their reading, assessment and class or on-line interaction students learn about societies and accompanying values different from their own and about the way the international system operates.

Information Literacy

Units in international studies stress the acquisition of skills in research and analysis, which in turn depend on the collection and evaluation of information from a range of sources. As many units are topical an ability to use e-resources is essential.

Life-Long Learning

The main contribution to life-long learning is in developing skills in research, analysis, interpretation and exposition. Students are encouraged to critique values, policies and processes. This includes an ability to present arguments by developing ideas, seeking evidence, assessing alternatives and drawing independent conclusions. Students are encouraged to engage in a flexible and open-minded pursuit of knowledge.

Problem Solving

Many disciplines in this degree challenge students to apply their critical reasoning capacity to address real problems and dilemmas facing individuals, states, inter-governmental organisations and non-government actors. In doing so, students will compare, analyse and evaluate conflicting 'facts', arguments and perspectives.

Social Responsibility

International studies has an inherent ethical dimension as it concerns the politics of who decides who gets what on a global level. That is addressed in assessment tasks and in class or on-line discussion. After completing this unit students will be equipped to apply a spirit of enquiry, critique, ethics and analysis to daily life and current affairs.