Key facts
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Are you interested in finding out how power and ethics influence real-world decisions? Study Deakin’s Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and learn how power, ethics, sustainability and economics converge to shape our lives. Built by leading academics and researchers, this course is designed for deep and creative thinkers looking to make an impact on society.
Enhance your career prospects via exciting real-world experiences, including internships, volunteer placements and study tours. Plus, there’s the opportunity to collaborate on team-based industry and community projects, and to take part in our global experiential learning programs.
You’ll understand the nature of public decision-making, explore resource management issues, and get the skills to analyse business problems in line with social justice. This course balances the big picture view of public problems while developing your professional and work skills.
Do you want to examine society as it is and question how it could be?
As a student of politics, philosophy and economics, you’ll focus on three distinct yet complementary disciplines to understand how societies govern and determine values.
Politics
- Develop written and online communication skills.
- Explore systems and different forms of government.
- Examine relationships between countries and cultures.
- Articulate solutions for real-world political problems.
Philosophy
- Develop critical thinking and logical rigor skills.
- Learn how to question assumptions.
- Explore ethics, justice and moral challenges.
Economics
- Learn how business, government and consumers shape society.
- and ask questions about issues from inequality to environmental sustainability.
You’ll graduate job-ready with the knowledge, expertise and practical skills to succeed in a range of roles in government policy, strategy, consulting or business management.
This course is offered both on campus and online in a fully supported and flexible study environment, so you can get ahead with your career journey while also maintaining work, study and personal commitments.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400311571 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400511571 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400611571 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - Deakin code
- A336
- CRICOS code?
- 111784F Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, students must complete 24 credit points including:
- 9 credit points of core units
- 3 credit points of employability sequence units
- 10 credit points of discipline study units comprising of:
- 5 credit points of discipline study units chosen from a first discipline stream Politics, Philosophy or Economics
- 5 credit points of discipline study units chosen from a second discipline stream from Politics, Philosophy or Economics
- Chosen units must comprise of at least 2 credit points at level 3 in each discipline
- 2 credit points of elective units chosen from across the University.
Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics:
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
12
Core and employability units
10
Discipline units
2
Elective units
24
Total
Core Units
Employability Sequence
1 credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
Discipline Study Units
Philosophy
- To complete the Philosophy stream, 5 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
Politics and Policy Studies
- To complete the Politics and Policy stream, 5 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
Economic Policy
- To complete the Economic Policy stream, 5 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds*
- Online
*Travel between campuses may be required to complete some of the core and elective units within this course. The Faculty of Business and Law unit offerings (M coded units) may be taught at Waterfront campus and the Faculty of Arts and Education unit offerings (A coded units) will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus. Not all Faculty of Business and Law units are offered on campus in Geelong please refer to the handbook for detailed enrolment modes.
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds*
- Online
*Travel between campuses may be required to complete some of the core and elective units within this course. The Faculty of Business and Law unit offerings (M coded units) may be taught at Waterfront campus and the Faculty of Arts and Education unit offerings (A coded units) will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus. Not all Faculty of Business and Law units are offered on campus in Geelong please refer to the handbook for detailed enrolment modes.
Students enrolled at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) campus may be required to undertake units of study at both Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Waterfront (Geelong).
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Students have the opportunity to undertake preparation for work units and/or internship units as electives in this course.
Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 30 in Art, Dance, Drama, any English, any Humanities, any LOTE, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, any Music, Studio Arts, Theatre Studies or Visual Communication Design equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354.0KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Direct applications are open for applicants who are not currently in Year 12, including:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE study
- applicants with higher education study.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
To learn more about what the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Deakin has to offer, download our course flyer.
Entry pathways
The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics will appeal to students with interests across the disciplines involved (BA/BCom/BBus), but who would prefer not to do a combined degree. The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics model offers students a way to complete an interdisciplinary degree with a similar “job-ready” focus to the revised BA, yet with the addition of vocationally focussed economic policy content. A compulsory three credit point Employability sequence, embedded within the Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics course across each year level.
The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics will serve as a standard Bachelor-level platform for pathways to more advanced degrees such as Honours, Masters, or PhD.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics graduates can confidently enter roles in private enterprise, government and not-for-profit organisations, in a variety of professional roles:
- media advisor
- community leader
- policy officer
- political advisor
- engagement officer
- research assistant
- government administrator
- manager
- project coordinator.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply a broad and coherent knowledge in the Politics, Philosophy and Economics disciplines in academic and professional settings drawing on depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more of PPE disciplines. |
| Communication | Employ highly developed skills in oral, written and electronic communication to communicate the outcomes of Politics, Philosophy and Economics problem solving and research in academic and professional contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Utilize a range of digital technologies in both academic and professional settings to research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information to diverse audiences in the field of Politics, Philosophy and Economics. |
| Critical thinking | Use critical and analytical thinking and judgment in selecting and applying theories and methodologies to evaluate major political, philosophical and economic issues confronting society. |
| Problem solving | Utilize cognitive, technical, and creative skills to generate solutions to real-world political, philosophical and economic problems through drawing on methodologies from multiple disciplines. |
| Self-management | Act with autonomy, responsibility and accountability for personal actions through a commitment to self-directed learning and professional practice that contributes to solving political, philosophical and economic issues in society. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community in addressing major political, philosophical and economic issues confronting society. |
| Global citizenship | Engage respectfully with ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in Politics, Philosophy and Economics scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community. |
| Approved by Faculty Board | |
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