Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences

Three years full-time
Four years full-time with Honours

The central focus of the Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences degree is on the study of political, economic and social issues. The program combines in-depth analysis with a broad multi-disciplinary approach to important contemporary political, economic and social problems and policies.

Understanding the interactions between economic, social and political processes is crucial to succeeding in a range of professional fields. Recognising the range of career paths that students may wish to follow, this degree provides flexibility to specialise in one aspect of the social sciences – economic, social or political – while ensuring a broad-based education across the whole field.

In first year you study three core subject areas: government and international relations, political economy and sociology or anthropology. You can choose to study a fourth subject area, for example economics, industrial relations, geography or psychology, or you could study both sociology and anthropology. In second year you deepen your studies in three core social science areas (government and international relations, political economy, and sociology or anthropology) and take other electives according to your own interests. In third year you complete your major (selected from one of those core social science areas) and the other requirements for the degree.

These studies provide you with a strong foundation for future employment or entry to a range of postgraduate programs. Particular areas with strong employment prospects include government and public service, management, finance, research, consultancy and current affairs journalism.

* A major is usually defined as six senior units of study. Students choosing to study Psychology or Economics may take up to two junior units (12 credit points) and six senior units (36 credit points) of study, but this does not constitute a major in the case of Psychology or Economics.
** If not taken as a major

Pathways

Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences degree structure

Year One		Year Two		Year Three
Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 1	Semester 2
Core BPESS Major Junior Unit (eg ECOP)	Core BPESS Major Junior Unit (eg ECOP)	Core BPESS Major Senior Unit (eg ECOP)	Core BPESS Major Senior Unit (eg ECOP)	Core BPESS Major Senior Unit (eg ECOP)	Core BPESS Major Senior Unit (eg ECOP)
Core BPESS Junior Unit (eg GOVT)	Core BPESS Junior Unit (eg GOVT)	Core BPESS Senior Unit (eg GOVT)	Core BPESS Major Senior Unit (eg ECOP)	Core BPESS Senior Unit (eg GOVT)	Core BPESS Major Senior Unit (eg ECOP)
Core BPESS Junior Unit (eg SCLG or ANTH)	Core BPESS Junior Unit (eg SCLG or ANTH)	Core BPESS Senior Unit (eg SCLG or ANTH)	BPESS Elective Senior Unit	Core BPESS Senior Unit (eg SCLG or ANTH)	BPESS Elective Senior Unit
BPESS Elective Junior Unit	BPESS Elective Junior Unit	BPESS Elective Junior or Senior Unit	BPESS Elective Junior or Senior Unit	BPESS Elective Senior Unit	BPESS Elective Senior Unit
24 credits	24 credits	24 credits	24 credits	24 credits	24 credits
					Total 144 credits
BPESS Core Major options: Government and International Relations; Political Economy; Sociology or Anthropology. BPESS Elective options: Anthropology; Economics; Geography; Government and International Relations; Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management; Political Economy; Psychology; Sociology; Management.

Directors