Bachelor of International Studies (1658)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

  • Approved Abbreviation: BIntlSt
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 1658
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 064562C

This program applies to students who commenced in 2020 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

Commencement Year 2017 to 2018 - 1658.4 Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2013 to 2016 - 1658.3 Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2010 to 2012 - 1658.2 Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2009 - 1658.1 Bachelor of International Studies

This program examines the relationship of nations, cultures, languages and systems of government within the international system. It develops students’ capacity to analyse the historical development of relations among nation states and contemporary political, social and cultural issues, such as globalisation, transnationalism and migration.

International Studies allows students to combine studies from a range of discipline areas, including Asian and Islamic Studies, cultural and social analysis, history, politics and philosophy, and modern languages in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese. The program provides for one semester study abroad during three years of full-time study.

Students in this program also have the opportunity to complete a semester of study overseas and receive advanced standing towards their majors, minors or electives. They are encouraged to do so but must discuss this with a program advisor.

  • Director of Academic Program - Dr Di Dickenson

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Program Advice

Program Advice

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Bankstown Campus Full Time Internal See above
Bankstown Campus Part Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See above

Admission

  • Assumed knowledge: two units of HSC English.
  • Recommended studies: HSC English Standard, or equivalent.
  • ATAR score of at least 90 required for scholarship for 1 semester of study abroad

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points with no less than 60 credit points at Level 3.

All students must enrol in and complete 60 credit points of Bachelor of Arts Core subjects consisting of four subjects at Level 1, one subject at Level 2 and one subject at Level 3.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Core Subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
HUMN 1052Australian Politics and Active Citizenship10
LANG 1029Foundations of Academic English10
HUMN 1053Diversity, Language and Culture10
LANG 1030Thinking Critically About Texts and Society10
INFO 2009Multiliteracies10
Total Credit Points50

Equivalent Core Subjects

The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2021 or earlier.

COMM 2050 - Multiliteracies, replaced by INFO 2009 Multiliteracies

Engaged Learning Pool Subjects

Students must successfully complete 10 credit points from the list below

Subject Title Credit Points
Select one of the following:10
BEHV 3013
Humanities Internship
BEHV 3026
Service Learning
HUMN 3103
Group Project
HUMN 3106
Study Tours
HUMN 3108
We Are The University: Students Co-creating Change
Total Credit Points10

Students must also complete subjects in the following, as per the chosen program structure for Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced language skill

Major

International Relations and Asian Studies, Major

Minor

A minor in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese must be undertaken in conjunction with the major.

Note: The following minors have inherent requirements, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. Please see the link below:

Inherent Requirements

Bankstown campus

Arabic, Minor (0003)
Chinese, Minor (0004)
International English, Minor
Japanese, Minor

Parramatta campus

Chinese, Minor (0004)
International English, Minor
Japanese, Minor

Students should seek program advice in relation to the level 2/3 language sequences. 

Students at either Bankstown or Parramatta campus may complete the Immersion Language minor which covers languages that are not taught at Western Sydney University. Details of this minor are available via the link below:

Immersion Language, Minor (0014)

Recommended Sequences

Language Skill Level: Beginner - Program Structure Summary without Study Abroad

The following recommended sequence is for students commencing in Autumn semester. For students commencing in Spring semester, complete LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English in your first semester and discuss subject selection with an academic program advisor.

Recommended Sequence - Bankstown Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 10
One IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject
  
One elective subject
  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 30
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
Note: If the Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) has not been previously completed, students are required to complete this subject in their final semester of study.  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one of the following: 30
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Recommended Sequence - Parramatta Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select one elective 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 10
One IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject
  
One elective subject
  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 30
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
Note: If the Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) has not been previously completed, students are required to complete this subject in their final semester of study.  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one of the following: 30
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Language Skill Level: Beginner - Program Structure Summary including Study Abroad Semester Option

Recommended Sequence - Bankstown Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one of the following options: 40
Option 1:  
Optional: Study Abroad semester
  
Option 2:  
HUMN 3079
 The Asian Century  
INFO 2009
 Multiliteracies  
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject
  
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject
  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one of the following options: 40
Option 1:  
Optional: Study Abroad semester
  
Option 2:  
One Level 2/3 IRAS subject
  
Select one of the following:
  
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
Note: If the Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) has not been previously completed, students are required to complete this subject in their final semester of study.  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one of the following: 30
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Recommended Sequence - Parramatta Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select one elective 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
Select one Level 2 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one of the following options: 40
Option 1:  
Optional: Study Abroad Semester
  
Option 2:  
HUMN 3079
 The Asian Century  
INFO 2009
 Multiliteracies  
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject
  
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject
  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one of the following options: 40
Option 1:  
Optional: Study Abroad semester
  
Option 2:  
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject
  
Select one of the following:
  
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
Note: If the Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) has not been previously completed, students are required to complete this subject in their final semester of study.  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one of the following: 30
Three electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and two Electives
  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Language Skill Level: Intermediate or Advanced - Program Structure Summary without Study Abroad

Recommended Sequence - Bankstown Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one of the following: 20
Level 2 IRAS subject and one elective
  
Two elective subjects
  
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 20
Two electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and one Elective
  
Note: If the Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) has not been previously completed, students are required to complete this subject in their final semester of study.  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 20
Two electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and one Elective
  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Recommended Sequence - Parramatta Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select two Level 2 Language subjects 20
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 20
Two electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and one Elective
  
Note: If the Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) has not been previously completed, students are required to complete this subject in their final semester of study.  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 20
Two electives
  
One Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) and one Elective
  
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Language Skill Level: Intermediate or Advanced - Program Structure Summary including Year 2 Study Abroad Semester Option

Recommended Sequence - Bankstown Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one of the following: 20
Level 2 IRAS subject and one elective
  
Two elective subjects
  
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Study Abroad semester 40
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select one of the following: 20
One Level 2 IRAS subject and one elective subject
  
Two elective subjects
  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Recommended sequence - Parramatta Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Study Abroad semester 40
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 IRAS subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Language Skill Level: Intermediate or Advanced - Program Structure Summary including Year 3 Study Abroad Semester Option

Recommended Sequence - Bankstown Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one of the following: 20
Level 2 IRAS subject and one elective
  
Two elective subjects
  
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Study Abroad semester 40
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select two Level 2/3 IRAS subjects 20
Select one Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Recommended Sequence - Parramatta Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 2009 Multiliteracies 10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject 10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Study Abroad semester 40
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select two Level 2/3 IRAS subjects 20
Select one Engaged Learning Pool subject (Level 3) 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Note: Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

Equivalent Subjects

The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2021 or earlier.

COMM 2050 - Multiliteracies, replaced by INFO 2009 Multiliteracies

The subject listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier. 

POLI 1002 Introduction to International Relations, replaced by POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 

Major and Minor elective spaces

Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved major (80 credit points) or minor (40 credit points).  Western Sydney University offers majors and minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Global Sustainability Minor  
Indigenous Australian Studies Major   
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor

Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.

Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change   
Personal Innovation    
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving 
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life 
Climate Justice
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans

Search for majors and minors

Students can apply for an elective major or minor via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)