Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, Economics

The Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, Economics at the University of Notre Dame Australia is a three-year degree for students who want to understand how ideas shape public life, how governments make decisions, and how economies work. You study all three disciplines rather than specialising in one from day one. That means reading political philosophers, examining how policy is actually made in Australia, and learning the economic reasoning behind the choices governments and businesses face.

How the degree is structured

Like most Australian bachelor degrees, it runs over three years of full-time study, usually across two semesters a year. You build your degree from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass the required total to graduate. The first year introduces the three core disciplines. Later years let you go deeper into areas such as ethics, political theory, public policy, international relations and applied economics. Because the degree sits at AQF level 7, it is the same qualification level as any other Australian bachelor degree, and it can lead into honours, a master's or a doctorate if you want to keep going.

Notre Dame is known for small classes and a strong pastoral approach, so you are likely to spend more time in discussion and written work than in large lectures. Assessment in this kind of degree is mostly essays, reports, tutorials and exams. You learn to build an argument, read primary sources, interpret data and write clearly. Some students take part in internships or work placements with government offices, community organisations or policy bodies, though the exact options vary, so check the official page for what is available in your year.

Who it suits

This degree suits students who enjoy debate, reading and writing, and who want to work on public problems rather than train for one narrow job. It is a good fit if you are interested in politics, law, journalism, public service or research, or if you are undecided between arts, law and commerce and want a degree that keeps several doors open. The University of Notre Dame Australia has campuses in Fremantle, Sydney and Broome, and this course is registered on CRICOS for international students. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. If you are applying from overseas, you will need to meet the university's English requirement, which for most undergraduate courses is IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, your visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during the semester, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Confirm all details on the official University of Notre Dame Australia page and the CRICOS listing before you apply.

• Policy officer or analyst in federal, state or local government
• Research assistant or parliamentary adviser
• Journalist or communications officer
• Roles in non-government organisations and international aid bodies
• Graduate positions in banking, consulting and public affairs
• Further study in law, public policy, international relations or philosophy