Geographies of Migration
UndergraduateCUR-GPH2202025
People have been relocating for centuries. So what are the patterns? And how does this affect us all? Study migration across Australia and the world – including rural to urban, and urban to rural. Consider ethical, economic and security impacts.
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 23 Nov 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 1 Dec 2025
- Price from
- $2,244
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Geographies of Migration
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will:
- Identify migration trends in Australia, including Aboriginal migration, and in transnational spaces
- Critically evaluate Australia’s regional responsibilities regarding migration intake and the complex ethical, economic and security concerns
- Analyse how socio-cultural values and local economic factors interact with global processes to influence policy outcomes at the local level
- Apply analytical and fieldwork skills to interpret analyse and synthesise data from a variety of sources and communicate information effectively.
- Unit introduction - Key concepts and theories of migration
- Hans Rosling’s ‘Facts about the Population’
- International migration; voluntary migration
- International migration; involuntary migration
- Return migration; guest workers, human trafficking and smuggling
- Making Australia great – a multicultural nation
- Fieldtrip: Ethnic enclaves, ethnic economies and integration
- International Retirement migration, seasonal migration and youth migration
- Domestic migration: Case review of Australia and China
- Governing migration flows: restrictionism vs open borders
- Forum: class migration stories
- Podcast - Unit summary
This subject is concerned with the mobility of human life and the contemporary and historical processes of migration. Drawing on findings from human geography, demography and political geography, the subject will encompass: the history of migration, spatial patterns of migration in Australia, settler colonial migration, international migration, the globalisation of labour markets, the complex ethical, economic and security concerns emanating from migration, skilled migration, population ageing, and rural to urban (and urban to rural) migration.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integritymodule.
- Report (50%)
- Investigation (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 13
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 14
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateCUR-GPH-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Geography
UndergraduateCUR-GPH-CTF
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol 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.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.