Why Bachelor of International Relations?
How do population changes impact policy and planning? How does this influence crime and criminal justice responses? With our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice majoring in Population and Migration Studies, you will discover the how and the why.
In the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice degree, you’ll learn to be an informed and critical user of research methods in criminal justice settings. You’ll explore the nature of crime and the key theories that explain why people commit crime.
In the Population and Migration Studies major, you’ll examine the dynamics of population growth and migration trends around the world. You'll develop expertise in research methods like data analysis, policy evaluation and case studies.
Overview
Our Bachelor of International Relations is delivered by research-active scholars. It nurtures in-demand thinking skills, with a career planning focus to help you land on your feet. You’ll explore contemporary global affairs – and Australia’s significance within the Indo-Pacific region.
In the Population and Migration Studies major, you’ll develop the skills to understand and interpret population and migration shifts. You’ll examine big questions like: how does migration affect international politics? What factors make people move across borders? How do population shifts influence regional stability?
You’ll engage in spirited debates on current issues, unpack international policies and refine your problem-solving skills through practical case studies and simulations. Expand your networks by connecting with researchers and experts in the field. Gain valuable skills in data analysis and research.
Graduate with a keen understanding of the complexities, realities, and implications of global and Australian population dynamics and migration. You’ll be ready to help governments, businesses, and communities respond effectively to global shifts.
Key features
Investigate the causes of crime and deviance. - Gain a worldview of significant population issues and policy changes.
- Explore policing and crime prevention techniques.
- Develop high-level skills in demographic and socio-economic data collection, research and interpretation.
- Learn from world-leading academics.
- Graduate career ready by completing an industry placement with a partner organisation.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of International Relations is interdisciplinary, drawing on political science, economics, history, law and more. You’ll analyse crucial contemporary developments in global politics, with a specific focus on the Indo-Pacific region and Australia’s position within it.
Our research-active staff undertake leading research in international relations – and feed their expertise directly into your learning. Our team includes the two editors-in-chief of Australia’s premier academic journal in the field, the Australian Journal of International Affairs. Cutting-edge research is integrated into the curriculum and high-achieving students may have opportunities to get involved in summer research scholarships.
You’ll study international security, global governance, comparative politics and geopolitics. Explore Australia’s diplomatic strategies, trade relationships and security partnerships. Attend research seminars led by guest scholars and foreign policy experts.
In the Population and Migration Studies major, you’ll learn through practical workshops, simulations, cases studies and collaborative group projects. You’ll build valuable transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem solving and report writing.
You’ll study future-focused courses, including:
- Population trends and challenges
- Migration and (im)mobility
- Migration and development
- Demographic data and techniques
- Urban and rural futures
- Global population and health
- Migration identity, belonging and difference
- Population in practice: applied research.
You’ll learn about:
- The driving forces behind demographic changes
- Theories, concepts and crises in historical and contemporary migration
- The links between human migration and socio-economic development
- The causes and consequences of urbanisation and rural-urban mobilities
- Health inequities and the uneven spread of diseases, deaths and pandemics
- Multiculturalism, cosmopolitanism, transnationalism and diaspora
- The politics of identity, belonging, integration and citizenship
- Quantitative and qualitative research design in the field
- Data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.
You’ll also complete an internship centred on mentoring and networking experiences. This is all part of Adelaide University’s focus on industry engagement and career planning. We’ll help you clarify your career goals and find your effective path to reach them.
Majors
The Bachelor of International Relations is also available with majors in:
Or, with a major in another language, such as:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 66 units for Core courses, and
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 18 units for all Electives
Complete 66 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 48 units for all Program Core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Global Politics
|
Course code
POLI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Comparative Politics
|
Course code
POLI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific
|
Course code
POLI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
The State of the World: Post Covid-19
|
Course code
POLI1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Approaches in International Relations
|
Course code
POLI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Political Economy
|
Course code
POLI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ethics of War and Peace
|
Course code
POLI3013
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Introduction to Comparative Politics
|
Course code
POLI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific
|
Course code
POLI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Global Politics
|
Course code
POLI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The State of the World: Post Covid-19
|
Course code
POLI1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Approaches in International Relations
|
Course code
POLI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Global Political Economy
|
Course code
POLI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ethics of War and Peace
|
Course code
POLI3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Comparative Politics
|
Course code
POLI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific
|
Course code
POLI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Global Politics
|
Course code
POLI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The State of the World: Post Covid-19
|
Course code
POLI1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Approaches in International Relations
|
Course code
POLI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Global Political Economy
|
Course code
POLI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ethics of War and Peace
|
Course code
POLI3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Comparative Politics
|
Course code
POLI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific
|
Course code
POLI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Global Politics
|
Course code
POLI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The State of the World: Post Covid-19
|
Course code
POLI1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Approaches in International Relations
|
Course code
POLI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Global Political Economy
|
Course code
POLI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ethics of War and Peace
|
Course code
POLI3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 3
|
Course code
AUXX1013
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Comparative Politics
|
Course code
POLI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific
|
Course code
POLI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Global Politics
|
Course code
POLI1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The State of the World: Post Covid-19
|
Course code
POLI1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Approaches in International Relations
|
Course code
POLI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Environmental Politics
|
Course code
POLI1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Global Political Economy
|
Course code
POLI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ethics of War and Peace
|
Course code
POLI3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Your specialised knowledge will give you a competitive advantage in international relations. You’ll graduate ready to pursue careers in diplomatic service, international policy development, migration analysis and strategy, international NGOs and immigration.
You might use AI algorithms to streamline resettlement for refugees. You could predict migration patterns resulting from rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Perhaps you’ll forecast hotspots for population movement – or help countries plan for how to support new residents.
In Australia, you could find employment at the:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Centre for Population
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Department of Defence
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
- Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Migrant Resource Centre
- Regional Development Australia
- Red Cross.
You might be a:
- Diplomat
- Demographer
- Foreign service officer
- National security agent
- Cultural affairs officer
- International development worker
- Immigration policy analyst
- Human rights officer
- Social impact assessor
- Census data analyst
- Immigration officer.
Or, continue your learning with a master’s or PhD to take your knowledge and career opportunities to the next level.
Industry trends
Population and migration studies tackles some of the world's toughest issues, including:
- Population ageing
- The crisis of low fertility
- Declining populations in industrialised countries and rural areas
- Skilled and family migration
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Population policy changes.
Worldwide, we're facing significant economic and demographic shifts. Climate change is creating more and more ‘climate refugees’. Some communities are displaced by wars and conflicts. We need experts who can develop policies to effectively manage how people move and integrate into new communities.
Fortunately, big data, AI and GIS technologies are enabling more precise tracking, predictions and analyses of large data sets. At Adelaide University, we equip you with relevant technical skills – and globally in demand competencies such as analytical and creative thinking (World Economic Forum, 2023). With a Bachelor of International Relations majoring in Population and Migration Studies, you’ll gain much-needed insights in the field – and the soft skills to back them up.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
