Outline

The Australia and the Asia–Pacific Region major is only offered to international fee-paying students and broadly follows the pattern of other majors in the International Studies program. The major is available in all existing degree programs combined with the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.

This major requires students to study English and the language and culture of Australia, and Australia in its regional context, i.e. the Asia–Pacific region. In some faculties, international students in the Australia and the Asia–Pacific Region major of the International Studies program are able to undertake subjects that enable them to reflect on their professional studies within this regional context.

In general, the English language level for entry to a combined degree program involving International Studies with the Australia and the Asia–Pacific Region major is IELTS 5.5 (with 5.0 in writing) or the TOEFL equivalent. However, students should note that there is some variation across faculties: for combined degrees with Communication the required minimum IELTS entry score is 6.5 (with 6.0 in writing); for Education the required IELTS entry score is 7.0 (with 7.0 in writing). Progress to the second year of the program for international students, in which they commence their professional degree, depends on the student achieving the relevant faculty's required level of English language competence in reading, writing, speaking and comprehension, which is generally IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 in writing, or equivalent); IELTS 6.5 for Communication degrees; and IELTS 7.0 for Education.

Students must complete 96 credit points for the Australia and the Asia–Pacific Region major, drawn from the following categories of subjects. A determining factor in the choice and sequencing of subjects is the student's level of English language competence.

Language and Culture

The number and level of subjects taken are selected to match the student's level of English language competence. The aim is that by the end of Year 1 students have reached the required entry level for study in their professional degrees. Students who have achieved that goal by the end of Stage 1 of their combined degree are permitted to take subjects on Australian culture and society in Stage 2 of their first year of study.

Contemporary Society

Students must take Comparative Social Change and at least one additional contemporary society subject.

In-country Study

Including subjects from the above two categories, students choose subjects relating to Australia and the Asia–Pacific region to total 96 credit points. Students in the Australia and the Asia–Pacific Region major may study either subjects related to Australia and/or the Asia–Pacific region, or subjects more related to the practice of their professional studies in an Australian context.

In-country Study electives related to the Australia and the Asia–Pacific Region major