Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences
Three years full-time / Four years full-time with Honours
The Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences degree focuses on the study of political, economic and social issues. Our degree combines in-depth analysis with a broad, multidisciplinary approach towards 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 you may wish to follow, this degree provides flexibility to specialise in one aspect of the social sciences – economic, social or political – while ensuring you receive a broad-based education across the whole field.
In first year, you will study three core subject areas: government and international relations, political economy and sociology or anthropology. You can choose to study a fourth subject area from a wide range of electives, or you could study both sociology and anthropology. In second year, you will deepen your studies in three core social science areas (government and international relations, political economy, and sociology or anthropology).
You can take other electives according to your own interests. In third year, you will complete your major (selected from one of those core social science areas) and the other requirements for your degree. If you wish, you can complete a second major which can be from the social sciences, other arts and social sciences subjects or Table B subjects in other faculties.
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, non-government organisations, management, finance, research, consultancy and current affairs journalism.
| Core major to be chosen from: |
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Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences Sample Degree Structure

| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| BPESS MAJOR JUNIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) | BPESS MAJOR JUNIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) | BPESS MAJOR SENIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) | BPESS MAJOR SENIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) | BPESS MAJOR SENIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) | BPESS MAJOR SENIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) |
| BPESS JUNIOR UNIT (EG. GOVT) |
BPESS JUNIOR UNIT (EG. GOVT) |
BPESS SENIOR UNIT (EG. GOVT) |
BPESS MAJOR SENIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) | BPESS SENIOR UNIT (EG. GOVT) |
BPESS MAJOR SENIOR UNIT (EG. ECOP) |
| BPESS JUNIOR UNIT (EG. SCLG OR ANTH) |
BPESS JUNIOR UNIT (EG. SCLG OR ANTH) |
BPESS SENIOR UNIT (EG. SCLG OR ANTH) |
TABLE A OR B SENIOR UNIT |
BPESS SENIOR UNIT (EG. SCLG OR ANTH) |
TABLE A OR B SENIOR UNIT |
| TABLE A OR B JUNIOR UNIT |
TABLE A OR B JUNIOR UNIT |
TABLE A JUNIOR/SENIOR OR TABLE B SENIOR UNIT | TABLE A JUNIOR/SENIOR OR TABLE B SENIOR UNIT | TABLE A OR B SENIOR UNIT |
TABLE A OR B SENIOR UNIT |
| 24 CREDITS | 24 CREDITS | 24 CREDITS | 24 CREDITS | 24 CREDITS | 24 CREDITS |
The BPESS core major must be chosen from one of the following subject areas: Anthropology; Government and International Relations; Political Economy; Sociology. |
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