Bachelor of Arts (Professional)
Majoring in Politics Power and Technology
75.0
Choose your major
Climate and Social Justice
Be ready to make your mark on a greener, more equitable future by developing a critical understanding of the social impacts of climate change.
Criminology and Social Change
Learn why crimes are committed, how society defines crime and treats criminals, and what social factors and motivations can lead to criminal behaviour.
Ethics and Technology
Examine the use of data-harvesting by private corporations and governments and the plethora of resulting ethical issues – from privacy and surveillance to human rights, equity and security.
Indigenous Studies
Delve into Indigenous ways of being and doing, which are increasingly appreciated not only their historical value, but also for their place in contemporary society.
Literature and Creative Writing
Learn to harness the power of words to tell compelling stories that inform and inspire the world. Explore the traditional and latest methods to hone your writing practice.
Perspectives on Globalisation
Learn how globalisation has transformed our society. Understand international relations. Develop cultural competency skills and open your mind to world cultures.
Politics Power and Technology
Question political structures and how new media technology has created opportunities for democratic mobilisation and participation, while opening up new ways to corrupt democratic processes.
Screen Studies and Popular Culture
Chart the history of screen technologies and use your creativity and initiative to anticipate what the future of entertainment will be.
Overview
Build your confidence to make a difference and benefit from our unique industry partnerships with a 12-month paid work placement as part of your degree. Apply your knowledge and critical thinking into your desired industry and grow your network to mark on the world (and its future) before you graduate.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
Your major
Question political structures and how new media technology has created opportunities for democratic mobilisation and participation, while opening up new ways to corrupt democratic processes. In this multi-disciplinary major, you'll analyse how technology influences security, privacy, freedom and human rights in political processes and institutions, develop a deep understanding of key political concepts, such as power, democracy and security; and learn about politics, philosophy and history.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience through our guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity – a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core unit, you'll collaborate with students and community, civil society and industry partners to create real campaigns for social change.
Skills you’ll learn
- Conceptual understanding
- Critical and creative reasoning
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Self-management
Your career opportunities
- Social researcher
- Policy analyst
- Community development and aid work
- Political campaigner
- Industrial and community advocate
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Top 400 for Arts and Humanities
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 20235 stars for overall experience
5 stars for teaching quality
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
75.0
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]
68.6
You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.
If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements.
Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Successful completion of:
- the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate qualification or International Baccalaureate.
Non-Year 12 qualifications, Foundation Year and qualifications undertaken overseas will not be accepted.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Professional) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 375 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Technology and Society
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART10002 |
|
What is Power?
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHI10007 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART20003 |
|
Changemakers in Action
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART30004 |
|
Dictators and Democrats: Comparative Politics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20009 |
|
Contemporary Approaches to Security
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20016 |
|
Philosophy, Media, Culture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHI20006 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Propaganda
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
HIS10006 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - 12 months | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
SOC20018 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
SOC20019 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
BA Professional Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART30005 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Philosophy, Politics and Society
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHI30010 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
The Politics of Public Policy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30010 |
|
Critical Security Studies
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30020 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$16,992
Total fee* ($AUD)
$63,720
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$34,880.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.