Courses

You are here
Mid-year entry

Bachelor of International Studies

On this page

Get a solid grounding in the global issues that affect us all, as the world becomes increasingly connected.

You will learn the roles that trade, diplomacy and international relations play in our lives and investigate the various models used in world trade and global governance.

This course provides a solid insight into global and cultural issues, politics and foreign affairs. You will have the opportunity to gain relevant professional practice through work placements and internships locally or overseas.

Course Essentials

How to apply

This course is open for mid-year applications. Applications close on 8 June 2012

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Please note that part-time study may not be available at all campuses.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
School of Social Sciences and Psychology

Back to top

Careers

  • foreign affairs
  • immigration specialist
  • journalist
  • intelligence officer
  • international legal advisor
  • consular advisor
  • human rights officer

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Gerard May

Bachelor of International Studies

“I had a ball during my time studying the Bachelor of International Studies because I gained practical...

Read more
Back to top

Study pathways

There are recognised study pathways for this course. You may be able to complete your course faster by getting credit for previous study.

VU TAFE to undergraduate

You can get credit in the (ABIS) if you have studied one of these TAFE courses at VU:

Diploma of Liberal Arts

  • You may get up to a year of credit.

Transferring to VU

You can get credit in the (ABIS) for study you have done at other universities. We have formal credit transfer arrangements for this course with the following universities

Yew Chung Community College of International Studies, Kowloon, Hong Kong

  • If you studied the Two-Year Associate in Arts Programme you may get up to a year of credit.

To find out more about the pathways available for this course, please contact the School of Social Sciences and Psychology

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Get credit for your work, study and life experience through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Graduate faster

If you've done previous study related to this course, you may be awarded credit. This means you can graduate in less time.

Completing this course also gives you a head-start on other at VU courses at a higher level of study.

We also award credit for relevant work and life experience. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Back to top

Course Objectives

The objectives of the course are:

  • to provide students with the opportunity to complete a course of study that develops their knowledge of and capacity to engage effectively in international contexts;
  • through choice of specialisation/s, to enable students to develop their knowledge and skills in two or three specific areas relevant to the international context;
  • to enhance opportunities for students to participate in an extended international experience (such as student exchange) as part of their studies;
  • to provide the opportunity for students to develop interpersonal and intercultural awareness and skills that will equip them for future employment in culturally diverse contexts both within Australia and globally.
Back to top

Units and electives

Plus Specialisation 1, Unit 1

Plus Specialisation 2, Unit 1

Plus elective

Plus Specialisation 1, Unit 2

Plus Specialisation 2, Unit 2

Plus Specialisation 1, Unit 3

Plus Specialisation 2, Unit 3

Plus elective

Plus Specialisation 1, Unit 4

Plus Specialisation 2, Unit 4

Plus elective

Plus Specialisation 1, Unit 5

Plus Specialisation 2, Unit 5

Plus elective

Plus Specialisation 1, Unit 6

Plus Specialisation 2, Unit 6

Plus elective

Students interested in undertaking a study tour in second or third year as one of their electives should enrol in:

All students in the Bachelor of International Studies are required to undertake core studies in international and intercultural learning through project and professional placement. For many students this would include spending a semester studying abroad through student exchange and/or participation in a study tour or participation in work or community service learning.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Back to top

Admission Information

  • TAFE: Pathways are available from a range of VET courses. Applicants with relevant VET study may also be considered.
  • Year 12: VCE with minimum study score of 20 in English units 3 and 4 (any).
  • International: Completion of a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australia's year 12 or VCE qualification. IELTS minimum 6.0 (no band less than 6).
  • Mature: Applicants with relevant work, education and/or community experience may be considered on the basis of equivalence.
Back to top

How to apply for this course

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

You can apply direct to VU. Applications close on 8 June 2012.

When you're ready to apply:

  1. Read the Advice to applicants (contains details about how to apply for your course, extra requirements, what happens when you submit your application and other important information).
  2. Complete the Higher education direct entry application form.
  3. As part of the application you may need to complete extra requirements such as:
    • submit supplementary forms
    • attend an interview, audition, information session or workshop
    • submit a folio
    • sit a test

Details about extra requirements are available from the Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development.

You need to complete all extra requirements by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered.

Transferring between VU courses

Want to transfer into this course from another VU course? Complete the Victoria University internal course application form and check whether you need to complete any extra requirements, listed above.

You can also contact us directly:

  • Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development Student Centre
    Phone: +61 3 9919 4409
    Email:  aehdcourses@vu.edu.au
    • Back to topback to top
  • Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100
  • Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Back to top