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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

Students must complete 192 UOC when taken 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. Specialisation Requirement, e.g. 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)

Notes:

  1. If you study in single mode you may use your free electives to convert an International Business minor to a major.
  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.
  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. 
  4. Courses that form part of your minor may not be double counted towards the Regional and Specialist components of the program.
  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.

See the Arts & Social Sciences website for sample programs and more information.

Disciplinary Component144 Units of Credit:
Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives12 Units of Credit:
Free Electives24 Units of Credit:
General Education12 Units of Credit:

Program Constraints

Information Rule

Maturity Rule

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

To proceed on the Bachelor of International Studies Overseas Study Program (OSP) you must have achieved satisfactory academic progress in your first and second years of study and must fulfil the requirements of the Universities Exchange Program.

Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of International Studies - BlnSt
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3475 - International Studies / Media (Comm & Journalism)
Bachelor of International Studies - BlnSt
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3476 - International Studies / Media (PR and Advertising)
Bachelor of International Studies - BlnSt
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3477 - International Studies / Media (Screen and Sound Production)
Bachelor of International Studies - BlnSt
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3577 - International Studies / Media (Public Relations and Advertising)
Bachelor of International Studies - BlnSt
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3582 - International Studies / Media (Communication and Journalism)

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Roles in the business sector, government agencies including Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, non-government organisations such as United Nations and development organisations, journalism and international media, tourism and trade.

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)