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Bachelor of International and Global Studies

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The increasing interconnectedness of the world brought about through travel, communication technology, political processes and globalising markets is opening up new areas for analysis, and new careers to go with them. International and Global Studies focuses on the way these processes are evolving. The title of this degree reflects the fact that these global processes are linked by national interactions involving nation-state authorities in inter-national relations and also through less formal processes of integration , such as through networks, migration, political and cultural connections. In this degree, we give attention to the full spectrum of global connections. This degree presents an interdisciplinary social science approach. In the core of the degree, students will address international and global issues from the perspective of politics, sociology, political economy, anthropology, and media and cultural studies.In their major fields of study, students have the option to focus on these disciplines, but also, should they choose to, languages, area studies and also international business. Students can complement their studies with choices from a wider range of subject areas within the university. The degree offers the opportunity for international exchange and while it is highly recommended, it is not compulsory.

This program is available as combined degree with the Bachelor of Law. This combined degree takes five years of full-time study to complete.

Majors

Units of study

Course Structure

Full units of study list

Further course information

Study plan

The Bachelor of International and Global Studies (BIGS) may be taken full-time over 3 years or part-time over six years. In the first year, candidates will take two core prerequisite International and Global Studies (INGS) units of study. Two senior (INGS) units of study are completed in the second and/or third years. A core major from a social science subject area must also be undertaken. Students can complete an optional second major. The completion of two majors, can be an asset in a competitive job market while also providing a flexible basis for further postgraduate coursework or research study.

Progression rules

Candidates must succesfully complete a core major in the Bachelor of International and Global Studies. A major in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences comprises the satisfactory completion of 36 senior credit points (cp) in one subject area including any units of study specified in the table of undergraduate units of study as compulsory for that major. Students planning to proceed to an honours year in their chosen subject area should be aware of additional pre-requisites for honours admission, normally a minimum 48cp of senior units of study in the subject area with a Credit average. Units of study completed at the University of Sydney Summer School which correspond to units of study permitted to count to this degree may be credited towards the course requirements. A standard full-time enrolment is 24cp per semester; less than 18cp per semester is considered to be part-time. A student may not enrol in more than 30cp in any one semester without permission and may not enrol in a unit of study, before meeting any prerequisites and corequisites for that unit of study. Candidates are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.

What is a major?

A major is usually two-year defined sequence of study, generally comprising specified units of study in a particular subject area. Majors are included on students' testamurs. The Bachelor of International Global Studies requires that students complete a core major. The major consists of at least 36 credit points (cp) in senior (2000/3000-level) units of study (6cp each) from a single subject area of study. Students can complete a second major from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or from another faculty in the University as permitted. Senior units of study can only be used to meet the requirements for one major. Units cannot be 'double counted' or 'counted twice'. The exact requirements for majors may differ between subject areas. Most majors require the completion of at least two junior (1000-level) prerequisite units of study (6cp each). These junior units may be prerequisites for the major itself and/or for senior units within the major's subject area. Junior units may be used as prerequisites for majors or senior elective units in more than one subject area.

The International and Global Studies core major must be chosen from: American Studies; Anthropology; Arab World, Islam and The Middle East; Asian Studies; European Studies; Government and International Relations; International Business; Political Economy; Sociology. A second major may be chosen from one of the above disciplines or from another subject area in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or a subject area from another Faculty as listed in Table B of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Tables of units of study. If the core major is International Business, the second major must be taken from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Table A.

What is an elective?

An elective is a unit of study within a degree, usually an option within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject. Electives can be selected from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or from other faculties within the university (subject to permission from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences).

Course opportunities

Bachelor of International and Global Studies students are encouraged to study a language relevant to the areas of international and global studies they are pursuing in their degree. This may include an opportunity to study overseas to enhance their language skills and cultural knowledge.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of International and Global Studies will be equipped to operate effectively as members of the world community with skills in analysis, evaluation and communication. They will compete successfully in the global marketplace in advisory, management, and research positions in government, non-government, and international agencies in both the private and public sector in Australia and beyond. The unique combination of majors will equip graduates with: the ability to relate knowledge about a particular part of the world with larger trends affecting all societies; the regional expertise and linguistic competence to work in a range of organisations with an international scope, and; the capacity to communicate effectively across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Further study

Eligible candidates may proceed to an Honours year in the Bachelor of International and Global Studies, or apply for admission to a rich postgraduate program in the humanities and social sciences, comprising advanced learning and professional courses. Master degrees include capstone projects ranging from internships with government and non-government organisations in Australia and overseas, to opportunities for independent research projects which prepare students for higher degrees by research.

About honours

An honours year in International and Global Studies is both a preparation for postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate degree. Honours can be the culmination of your formal education, an experience that extends your intellectual range, hones your research abilities, as well as analytical and communication techniques, and helps you to develop the personal and professional skills needed to see a research project though to completion. Honours can also be the first step on a path to a career as an academic or professional researcher. An honours year typically comprises seminar classes and work toward a short thesis on an independent research project under the supervision of an academic staff member who is an expert in the field of your research.

Admission

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for domestic mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking.

International students should refer to the Academic Entry Requirements for International Students available at the following link for intake availability and other information: http://www.sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate/admissions/entry_requirements/academic.shtml

Assumed knowledge

None as such, although students are encouraged, but not required, to study a language relevant to the areas of international and global studies they are pursuing in their degree. Most Arts degrees do not require an assumed knowledge of the subject they are about to study.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of September. On-time applications for the July Semester close in May. Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

Further requirements

Please see:
http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts/coursework/b_international_global_studies.shtml

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Further admission requirements

http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate/admissions/entry_requirements/index.shtml

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate/costs_scholarships/index.shtml

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

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