Degree structure

Degree details

KNOWLEDGE

Graduates of the Murdoch University International Aid and Development major demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of:

  • the different types of institutions and agencies involved in international development, their philosophies and approaches and the significant differences between them
  • the theories of what makes development happen and why some theorists believe development itself does more harm than good by magnifying unequal power relations
  • the diversity of social, human and natural phenomena and the multiple perspectives (including inter-disciplinary perspectives) which can be brought to bear in social and creative enquiry  
  • the complexity of international and national relations at the macro level and social relations at the micro level in relation to the different economic prescriptions championed
  • the big policy shifts in international development over the past six decades
  • the key strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of development interventions in light of current development thinking
  • the social outcomes that emerge from programs of international aid by looking beyond the rhetoric and developing an appreciation of the many background factors that influence these outcomes.

SKILLS

Graduates of the International Aid and Development major are effective communicators who demonstrate:

  • wide reading and a nuanced insight about what constitutes overseas aid and international development; and concerning the nature of interactions between development agencies and target communities within the developed and developing world
  • capacity for persuasive written and oral communication appropriate to a range of audiences. 

Graduates of the International Aid and Development major gather, synthesise and critically evaluate ideas and information from a range of sources demonstrating:

  • Analytical and conceptual thinking through research assignments and essays.

APPLICATION

Graduates of the International Aid and Development majordemonstrate confidence and competence in applying knowledge and skills to practice through:

  • a capacity for self-directed independent enquiry
  • critical self-reflection
  • creative problem solving
  • a global perspective incorporating an appreciation of cultural and disciplinary differences.

Graduates of the International Aid and Development major have well developed interpersonal and collaborative skills including the demonstrated capacity to:

  • give and receive critical feedback
  • work effectively within team environments
  • respect the thoughts and opinions of others.

Graduates of the International Aid and Development major demonstrate ethical thinking and practice through social and creative enquiry which recognises diversity and the rights and perspectives of others.

Graduates of the BA (International Aid and Development) with skills in economic and social policy are likely to be employed in a range of organisations such as AUSAID or development related non-governmental organisations.

Higher education via OUA

2 OUA Undergraduate units at pass level OR equivalent.

Higher education

Transferring from another course or university

If you have successfully completed university studies equivalent to at least 2 units (6 Murdoch credit points) you can apply to transfer to Murdoch University using your previous studies. To be eligible for the course, you need to have passed units to a high standard and may be required to provide a personal statement upon application.

Secondary education

School leavers gain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) from four course subjects completed during Year 12, or OP (Overall Positions) in Queensland.

To apply to Murdoch University after Year 12, you must achieve English competency and have achieved your WA Certificate of Education (WACE) or its interstate equivalent along with the ATAR (or OP) relevant for your chosen course.

An ATAR of 70.00 or higher (or a Queensland Overall Position of 14 or less) is required for admission to a Commonwealth Support Place in this course.

VET studies

If you have successfully completed a Certificate IV or higher you can apply for admission into a Commonwealth Support Place.

Work and Life

  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
    • STAT is a national test for mature age people designed to assess aptitude for learning in a tertiary environment. It is not a test of your knowledge on specific academic subjects. It is recognised in all Australian states. You must achieve a minimum of 140 in the Written English and 135 in the Qualitative or Multiple Choice sections of the STAT to gain entry to Murdoch.
  • Completed secondary education more than two years ago
  • Enabling Programs

Additional information

English Proficiency Requirements

To demonstrate English language competency you will need a scaled mark of at least 50 in  ATAR English, Literature or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD).

Students may be eligible for credit for previous studies.

When applying for credit, students will need to provide documentation, including original transcripts of academic records or certified copies, subject outlines and an explanation of the grading system.

This must be sent to the Open Universities Australia Liaison Team at Murdoch University. Please note that credit cannot be gained for subjects completed more than 10 years ago. 

To obtain an Application for Advanced Standing Form, please download it from this website:
http://our.murdoch.edu.au/OUA/Forms/

Note: Students must be enrolled in a Murdoch subject before any Advanced Standing application will be assessed.

Please Note: New students who wish to complete this degree should go to Murdoch's Bachelor of Arts degree page.

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (International Aid and Development) introduces you to community level development programs, poverty reduction, sustainability, and the role our Asia-Pacific region plays in the world.

You will explore the changing approaches to international aid by government, multilateral organisations and non-government aid agencies. You will also learn about working in cross-cultural settings and project management.

Recommended Study Pattern

To get the most from this degree, students are recommended to follow these steps:

LEVEL 1 (total of 24 points)

  • Complete the Transition and Breadth subjects - BAR100 and BAR150 (6 points)
  • Complete three Part I core subjects (9 points)
  • Complete three Level 1 General Electives from any OUA subject (9 points)

LEVEL 2 (total of 24 points)

  • Complete the Research Skills subject - BAR200 (3 points)
  • Complete one Breadth Subject from the list (3 points)
  • Complete three Part II (Level 2) core subjects (9 points)
  • Complete three Level 2 or 3 General Electives from any OUA subject (9 points)

LEVEL 3 (total of 24 points)

  • Complete the Research Skills subject - BAR300 (3 points)
  • Complete one Breadth Subject from the list ( 3 points)
  • Complete two Part II (Level 3) core subjects (6 points)
  • Complete one Part II (Level 3) specified elective subject (3 points)
  • Complete three Level 2 or 3 General Electives from any OUA subject (9 points)

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts (International Aid and Development) students must complete 72 credit points (24 subjects).

The Murdoch Degree Framework
(72 Points of Credit:  24 points at Part I, 48 points at Part II)
A Murdoch University degree is structured around four key elements:

  • transition to university,
  • research skills,
  • breadth of knowledge, and
  • depth of knowledge (the chosen Major).

Degree Structures
Murdoch’s degree structures combine all the required elements to make a student knowledgeable, experienced, confident and successful within a chosen career:
Each level of an undergraduate degree requires 24 credit points, the equivalent of a year of full-time study.  Taking a combined degree introduces additional credit point requirements to your qualification.
Transition to University
Each degree includes a transition subject, helping students develop the key academic skills to succeed in a chosen field. Students entering Murdoch with advanced standing will still be required to complete this subject or demonstrate achievement of the subject’s learning outcomes.
Research Skills
Second and third year subjects focus on the research skills relevant to the chosen degree.  Research, communication and problem solving abilities are highly valued by employers, so we aim to ‘future proof’ your education with skills for undertaking life-long learning.
These skills involve:

  • Identifying research
  • Using appropriate methodology to find, record and organise research data;
  • Critically evaluating and interpreting available information;
  • Managing the research process and organising information;
  • Communicating research findings with the appropriate language and context.

Breadth of Knowledge
Often, the best solutions appear when people apply knowledge in new ways or work with a team to bring different skills together. Breadth studies introduces students to knowledge outside a chosen discipline, teaching students to understand how others think and solve problems.
For detailed information go to this website: http://our.murdoch.edu.au/OUA/

Choose your subjects

Majors

Level 1

Core Units – 6 credit points

BAR100 Academic Learning Skills (Transition Unit)
BAR150 Ideas & Identity (Breadth Unit)

Core Units – 9 credit points
POL161 Understanding International Politics
COD125 Introduction to Community Development
SUS100 Introduction to Sustainable Development

Level 2

Core Units – 6 credit points

BAR200 Developing Research Skills
Plus one of the following Murdoch University Breadth Units:

  • BRD202 Drugs in Society
  • BRD251 Wellbeing
  • BRD209 Creativity and Innovation
  • ENV245 Global and Regional Sustainability
  • AIS204 Indigenous Australia and the Nation
  • POL226 Sex and Gender Matters
  • ASN288 Women in Asian Societies
  • PHL209 Metaphors of Mind
  • REL101 World Religions

You may complete more than one Murdoch Breadth unit (as general electives)

Core Units – 9 credit points
SUS207 Overseas Aid & International Development
POL298 International Political Economy
POL226 Sex and Gender Matters

Level 3

Core Units – 6 credit points
BAR300 Bachelor of Arts Research Skills
Plus one of the following Murdoch University Breadth Units not yet completed:

  • BRD202 Drugs in Society
  • BRD251 Wellbeing
  • BRD209 Creativity and Innovation
  • ENV245 Global and Regional Sustainability
  • AIS204 Indigenous Australia and the Nation
  • POL226 Sex and Gender Matters
  • ASN288 Women in Asian Societies
  • PHL209 Metaphors of Mind
  • REL101 World Religions

Core Units – 6 credit points
COD302: Creative Ways to Work with Community
SUS309 International Aid and Development in Practice

Please Note: Units which appear in a major and the breadth unit list may only be counted towards the requirements of the major.

Electives

Part I (Level 1)

General Electives – 9 credit points
Select from any 100 level units offered by OUA, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students who are considering a second major are advised to consider using General Elective points(from Murdoch offerings) to meet the requirements of a second major.

Part II (Level 2)

General Electives – 9 credit points
Select from any 200 or 300 level units offered by OUA, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students who are considering a second major are advised to consider using General Elective points (from Murdoch offerings) to meet the requirements of a second major.

Part II (Level 3)

General Electives – 9 credit points
Select from any 200 or 300 level units offered by OUA, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students who are considering a second major are advised to consider using General Elective points (from Murdoch offerings) to meet the requirements of a second major.

Specified Electives - 3 credit points
SUS310 Sustainable Urban Communities