Overview

This program is for students commencing from 2017. Students commencing prior to 2017 should refer to the handbook for the year they commenced their program. The Bachelor of International Studies (UNSW BInSt) is an innovative and practical program in which you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary world, … For more content click the Read More button below. The program examines the interactions of nations, economies, institutions, peoples, cultures, technologies and ideas against a background of increasing international integration and changing modernity. The program challenges you to: examine the dynamics of global and regional change; explore key issues and challenges in global change, evaluate the importance of globalisation, and debate key questions centred on nationalism, sovereignty, social change, development, and transnational interaction. You specialize in an area of study, complete language study and a one-year Overseas Study Program (OSP) at one of the more than 200 approved partner universities around the world. The UNSW BInSt can be completed full-time in Single Mode (normally 4 years), in Dual Mode (the equivalent of 3 years full-time) or part-time. The basic requirements of the program are simple. The BInSt has a depth component and a breadth component. If you study in either the Single or Dual Mode, you will complete the depth component. If you study in the Single Mode, you will also complete the breadth component. The Depth component is: The completion of an International Studies Core (24 UOC) (4 courses)The completion of Regional Electives (12 UOC ) (2 courses)The completion of Specialist Electives (12 UOC) (2 courses)The completion of a Language Study Core (24 UOC) (4 courses)The completion of a minor stream (24 UOC) (4 courses) selected from the list of UNSW BInSt approved minor streamsThe completion of an overseas exchange (48 UOC) (2 semesters) The Breadth component (if you are completing the program in Single Mode) is: The completion of Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives (12 UOC) (2 courses)The completion of Free Electives (24 UOC) (4 courses)General Education (12 UOC) (2 courses) The aims of UNSW BInSt are: To satisfy a growing demand, in Australia and abroad, for graduates who are highly skilled, well informed and professionally equipped to meet the challenges of work in a rapidly changing global environment.To give you a thorough preparation for further study and employment in areas vital to Australia's increasing participation in the international arena.To examine and develop a better understanding of the interactions of nations, economies, institutions, peoples, cultures, technologies and ideas against a background of increasing international integration and changing modernity.To promote competence in a major language or languages relevant and useful for the global economy in which we live (viz. French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Greek and Indonesian).To provide you with the invaluable experience of other cultures, languages and peoples - experience greatly valued by employers internationally, through the completion of a one-year Overseas Study Program.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate high-level skills in problem solving, research techniques, analysis and critical understanding of key global issues.
2.
Consistently demonstrate high-level skills in both oral expression and written communication, including the ability to negotiate and promote understanding in a global multilingual environment.
3.
Demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and work autonomously and in ways motivated by intellectual curiosity and openness to new ideas and arguments.
4.
Critically reflect upon ethical principles and codes of conduct and contribute to socially responsible ways to local and international communities.
5.
Display an informed appreciation and respect for cultural and social diversity, including a keen understanding of the complexity of international political and economic interaction and the ability to engage creatively with the dynamics of global change.
6.
Display intellectual adaptability and conceptual sophistication, informed by broad international knowledge and language skills.
7.
Locate, evaluate and use information and information technologies appropriately and effectively.
8.
Be intellectually flexible, independent and open to new ideas.

Program Structure
192 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 192 UOC as a standalone program.

  1. International Studies core (24 UOC)
  2. Regional Electives (12 UOC)
  3. Specialist Electives (12 UOC)
  4. Language Study core (24 UOC)
  5. A Minor (24 UOC)
  6. Overseas Study Program (48 UOC)
  7. Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives (12 UOC)
  8. Free Electives (24 UOC)
  9. General Education (12 UOC)

Specialisation Requirement

You must complete a 24 UOC minor.

NOTE 1: If you study in single mode you may use your free electives to convert an International Business minor to a major.

NOTE 2: If you are undertaking the Asian Studies minor you must complete a sequence of 24 UOC in an Asian language. If you are undertaking the European Studies minor you must complete a sequence of 24 UOC in a European language.

NOTE 3: If you study in single mode and undertake a minor in International Business you will complete 12 UOC in Regional and 6 UOC Specialist rather than 24 UOC.

NOTE 4: Courses that form part of your minor may not be double counted towards the Regional and Specialist components of the program.

NOTE 5: If you complete a minor in a language you must complete that study in a Language other than that which you choose for the Language Study Core requirement.

Level 1 Core Courses

Level 2 Core Courses

You must complete 6 UOC of the following courses:

Level 3 Core Courses

You must complete 6 UOC of the following courses:

Overseas Study Program

You must take 48 UOC of the following courses:

- EXCH8035 Individual Study Program (18 UOC)
- EXCH8034 Individual Study Program (12 UOC)

If you commence the Overseas Study Program in T1 you will enrol in EXCH8035 Individual Study Program (18 UOC) in T1 and T2 and EXCH8034 Individual Study Program (12 UOC) in T3.

You must undertake OSP during Year 3.

Language Study Core Courses

In order to gain essential skills to equip you to work in a global environment, and to be eligible to study in a second language on your Overseas Study Program (OSP), you must complete 24 UOC from the same language and attain a minimum of Intermediate B level of proficiency … For more content click the Read More button below.

Language Study Core Courses - Greek

If you select Greek for your Language Study Core, you must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

The following courses are taught at UNSW. Intermediate and Senior Italian language courses are studied cross-institutionally at the University of Sydney.

Language Study Core Courses - Indonesian

If you select Indonesian for your Language Study Core, you must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

The following courses are taught at UNSW. Introductory and Intermediate Indonesian language courses are studied cross-institutionally at the University of Sydney.

For more information, refer to the Indonesian Studies minor in the Bachelor of Arts.

Language Study Core Courses - Italian

If you select Italian for your Language Study Core, you must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

The following courses are taught at UNSW. Intermediate and Senior Italian language courses are studied cross-institutionally at the University of Sydney.

For more information, refer to the Italian Studies minor in the Bachelor of Arts.

Regional Electives - Europe

You must complete 12 UOC of Regional Electives consisting of one course that focuses on contemporary developments and one that focuses on historical trajectories in the region. If you wish to focus on Europe you may take 12 UOC of the following courses:

Regional Electives - The Americas

You must complete 12 UOC of Regional Electives consisting of one course that focuses on contemporary developments and one that focuses on historical trajectories in the region. If you wish to focus on The Americas you may take 12 UOC of the following courses:

Specialist Electives

You must complete 12 UOC of the following courses:

Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives

You must complete 12 UOC of any courses offered by UNSW Arts and Social Sciences. Indigenous Studies courses (ATSIxxxx) cannot be studied as Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives.

Free Electives

You must complete 24 UOC of the following courses.

General Education

You must complete 12 UOC of the following courses.

This requirement is met if you complete an external major or minor.

Indigenous Studies courses (ATSIxxxx) can be studied as General Education only if you are not completing a major or minor in Indigenous Studies.

Maturity Requirements

You must have completed 24 UOC of Level 1 courses before taking any Level 2 courses.You must have completed 48 UOC (including 6 UOC at Level 1 and 6 UOC at Level 2 in their minor) before taking any Level 3 courses.

Specialisation Declaration

You must specify your minor (or major) at the time of enrolment into the program.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Related Programs

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Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal
Award of Pass with Distinction

Additional Information

Language Minor

Completion of 24 UOC in Language Study courses will automatically confer a minor at the time of graduation.

Further Information

Contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Services for advice.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)