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Politics courses

Understand power and how it operates in our complex world with a political science degree.

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Politics

Whether you want to make it to the hallowed halls of Parliament House as a political staffer, take on a foreign affairs role in an office overseas, or work on impactful policy for an important organisation, studying politics will give you the edge you need.

You’ll gain expert research and critical thinking skills and understand what goes into strong decision-making and diplomacy.

If you want to commit to a full political science degree or just bolster your knowledge with a standalone subject, studying online through Open Universities Australia could be a great way to get you where you want to go. Start comparing all your politics course options below.

Explore politics courses
Open Universities Australia student Shiree at work standing in front of a colourful notice board.
Shiree studied humanities and social studies with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover politics courses

Online politics subjects and short courses

Curtin University

Korean Society and Politics

UndergraduateCUR-KOR220

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
Griffith University
Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 03 Mar 2025
La Trobe University

Political Theory

UndergraduateLTU-PHI3POT

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 28 Jul 2025
Murdoch University

Food Security

UndergraduateMUR-SOC301

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 28 Jul 2025
View all subjects

Online politics degrees

Macquarie University

Bachelor of Arts

UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG

An arts degree that no one else has

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Ancient History
  • Creative Writing
  • English
  • Critical Indigenous Studies
  • International Relations
  • Modern History
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Sociology
La Trobe University

Make the world a healthier place. Your way.

Study method
100% online
Duration
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeological and Heritage Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • Creative and Professional Writing
  • Crime, Justice and Legal Studies
  • Digital Media
  • English
  • Ethics and Social Justice
  • Hindi Studies Beginners
  • History
  • Human Geography
  • International Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Sociology
  • Sustainabilty and Development
  • Visual Cultures
  • Digital Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Health Promotion
  • Health, Wellbeing and Performance
  • Psychological Science
  • Public Health
  • Rehabillitation Counselling
Southern Cross University

A double degree in arts and business

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Griffith University

A double degree in politics and criminology

Study method
100% online
Duration
4 years full time or part time equivalent
View all bachelor degrees

Discover 98 ways to study politics with leading Australian universities.

Explore politics courses

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Politics study FAQs

What is a politics or political science course?

There are a range of options for students interested in pursuing courses in politics and political science. Courses can differ in content quite a bit, so it’s worth thinking about what you want to get out of your study.

At the undergraduate level, you may end up opting for a broader humanities degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts. This will give you foundational knowledge in related areas that will help you in a policy role, such as economics and philosophy.

Or you could choose a double degree in a field such as a Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations, to give you a greater perspective and potentially open up career opportunities overseas.

If you’re just looking for a knowledge booster or a taste of the discipline, you could also opt for a short course or single subject in political science.

What do you learn in a politics course?

You’ll gain a strong grounding in subjects such as:

  • political theory
  • history
  • philosophy
  • political economy
  • international relations
  • human rights

Crucially, studying the discipline will help you hone your capacity for critical thought as well as research, writing and decision making.

When choosing a course, have a think about whether you are most interested in learning about Australian politics or taking a more global lens and learning about topics such as international relations, diplomacy, and institutions like the United Nations, as the subjects on offer can differ from course to course.

Depending on your course, you may also be able to choose a second major, such as a language, which could help you out in a role abroad. You can book a call with one of our student advisors to get advice on your study options.

How long is a politics course?

It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide: 

CourseDuration
Single subject10-18 weeks
Short course10-18 weeks
Undergraduate certificate6 months (if full time)
Diploma1 year (if full time) 
Associate degree2 years (if full time) 
Bachelor degree3 years (if full time)
Graduate certificate6 months (if full time)
Graduate diploma1 year (if full time)
Masters degree2 years (if full time)

If you study a degree in politics through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.   

Why should I study politics?

Whether you’re looking to battle it out in a role in Canberra, bring a more critical eye to reading the news, or gain greater context for your current job, studying politics can help give you the insights that you need.

A politics or political science degree will give you skills that are transferable to many different roles. It could act as a useful basis for a career in the legal system, diplomacy, state or local government, the private sector, or academia.

Outside of your career, you’ll likely find the skills that you gain in critical thinking will also be applicable and helpful to your everyday life.  

Why should I study an online politics course?

Doing a politics or political science course online will give you the opportunity to fit study around your current life commitments. You’ll be able to study where and when it suits you and juggle study and work more effectively.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements 
    We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
  • You have total control over how you study
    Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
  • You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
    Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
  • We’ll help you navigate the university world
    Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
What jobs can you get with a degree in politics?

A politics degree can take you far—both within Australia and around the world. Some common roles you may land after graduating include:

  • Political staffer
  • Policy officer
  • Policy advisor
  • Media strategist
  • Campaign manager
  • Journalist
  • Researcher
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

How do I enrol?

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

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We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

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Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 523,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

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As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

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