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

enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au

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

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Bankstown Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above
Bankstown Campus	Part Time	Internal	See above
Bankstown City Campus (from 2023)	Full Time	Internal	See above
Bankstown City Campus (from 2023)	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 List

Subject	Title	Credit Points
HUMN 1052	Australian Politics and Active Citizenship	10
LANG 1029	Foundations of Academic English	10
HUMN 1053	Diversity, Language and Culture	10
LANG 1030	Thinking Critically About Texts and Society	10
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Total Credit Points		50

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 List

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 Points		10

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

Major

Minor

A minor in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian 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

Parramatta campus

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:

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject		10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects		20
	Credit Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject		10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects		20
	Credit Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
Study Abroad semester		40
	Credit Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
HUMN 3079	The Asian Century	10
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects		20
	Credit Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
Study Abroad semester		40
	Credit Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
HUMN 3079	The Asian Century	10
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects		20
	Credit Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject		10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects		20
	Credit Points	40
Year 3
Autumn session
Study Abroad semester		40
	Credit Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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 session		Credit 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 Points	40
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 Points	40
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 Points	40
Spring session
INFO 2009	Multiliteracies	10
Select one Level 2/3 IRAS subject		10
Select two Level 2/3 Language subjects		20
	Credit Points	40
Year 3
Autumn session
Study Abroad semester		40
	Credit Points	40
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 Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

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
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate. Strategise. Innovate. 
Humanising Data

Search for majors and minors

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

MyStudentRecords (MySR)