Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Business
with majors in Politics and International Relations and Human Resource Management – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
Selected major: Politics and International Relations
Learn about Australian and comparative politics, public policy, foreign policy and international relations theory. Examine Australia’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, violence in the international realm, ethical approaches to security, as well as the major conflicts occupying the international agenda.
Selected major: Human Resource Management
Learn about the impact of human resource management as the driver of innovation and high performance in the workplace. Gain the skills and knowledge to manage and coordinate people to achieve strategic business objectives. This major is professionally accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Majors for Bachelor of Arts [available 2018 only]:
AdvertisingChineseCinema and Screen Studies Creative Writing and LiteratureCriminologyDigital Advertising TechnologyEnvironmental SustainabilityGames and InteractivityHistoryInternational StudiesJapaneseJournalismMedia IndustriesPolitics and International RelationsProfessional Writing and EditingSocial MediaSociologyMajors for Bachelor of Business:
AccountingBusiness AdministrationEntrepreneurship and InnovationFinanceFinancial Planning Human Resource ManagementLogistics and Supply Chain ManagementManagementMarketingSports ManagementThe Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business offers students a general understanding of contemporary social and cultural developments through a range of study areas, as well as a strong understanding of the business world. Students develop analytical, communication and research skills designed to facilitate their personal and professional development.
Drawing on the expertise of leading teachers, researchers and industry experts, the course allows students to design a degree to develop a unique range of interdisciplinary skills.
Timely VTAC applications close Thursday 30 September.
There's no better way to figure out your VTAC preferences than to go straight to the source: strike up a live chat with a Swinburne current student, or book a one-on-one appointment with a Swinburne expert. Learn more
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 26 February 2018
- Semester 2 - 30 July 2018
Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Full-time, Part-time
VTAC codes
- 3400210121 (CSP)
- 3400210123 (IFP)
Begin your path to Chartered Financial Analyst®
Swinburne's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Professional) with major in Finance together with Master of Finance incorporates at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and emphasises CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Students of these programs have a head start to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and selected students of these programs may receive CFA scholarships.
Swinburne students work with ACMI
Swinburne’s Bachelor of Arts students created new experiences called Constellations for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) visitors as part of its $40 million transformation.
The Constellation is a large-scale, data-driven exhibit that connects visitors to films, TV series, artworks and video games outside ACMI.
As ACMI’s Major Academic Partner, Swinburne supports the Swinburne Studio – an available to hire multi-purpose function space – home for ACMI’s many diverse festivals and events, as well as a programming collaboration space between the two organisations.
Course details
- Course structure and work integrated learning.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Business [available 2018 only] requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Information for Decision Making | ACC10007 | 12.5 |
| Innovative Business Practice 1 | BUS10012 | 12.5 |
| Economic Principles | ECO10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Business Information Systems | INF10003 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Management | MGT10001 | 12.5 |
| Fundamentals of Marketing | MKT10007 | 12.5 |
| The Grand Challenges * | ART30001 | 25 |
| Industry Consulting Project * | BUS30009 | 12.5 |
| Advanced Innovative Business Practice * | BUS30024 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Politics and International Relations
Learn about Australian and comparative politics, public policy, foreign policy and international relations theory. Examine Australia’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, violence in the international realm, ethical approaches to security, as well as the major conflicts occupying the international agenda.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Politics | POL10001 | 12.5 |
| International Politics | POL10002 | 12.5 |
| Australian Foreign Policy | POL20008 | 12.5 |
| Dictators and Democrats: Comparative Politics | POL20009 | 12.5 |
| International Relations and Security Studies * | POL20010 | 12.5 |
| Critical Perspectives on Terrorism * | POL30009 | 12.5 |
| Public Policy in Australia * | POL30010 | 12.5 |
| Politics of the Pacific * | POL30014 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Human Resource Management
Learn about the impact of human resource management as the driver of innovation and high performance in the workplace. Gain the skills and knowledge to manage and coordinate people to achieve strategic business objectives. This major is professionally accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Management | HRM10003 | 12.5 |
| Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations | HRM20016 | 12.5 |
| Managing Workplace Relations * | HRM20017 | 12.5 |
| Performance Management and Innovation | HRM20020 | 12.5 |
| Organisational Behaviour * | MGT20007 | 12.5 |
| International Human Resource Management * | HRM30002 | 12.5 |
| Human Resource Analytics * | HRM30011 | 12.5 |
| Law of Employment | LAW30005 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
6 units (75 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 75 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Business
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A | BUS20010 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B | BUS20011 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities | SOC20019 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Business
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Business | BUS20010 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business, graduates will be able to:
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge, judgement and conceptual understandings when innovatively solving a range of problems in the humanities, social sciences and business contexts
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of interdisciplinarity for generating solutions
- formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on the triple bottom line
- formulate and communicate a range of arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise, through evaluation and communication strategies.
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these to their disciplinary areas of expertise within a range of practices.
Fees
- Fees for 2021.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2021 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$58,000 | $14,500 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
AACSB Accreditation
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only five per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.
HR Professional Recognition
Swinburne's Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management has met the criteria for course accreditation and is currently accredited by the Australian HR Institute (AHRI).
Accreditation is reviewed every three years by the AHRI National Accreditation Committee.
Students applying for this course can be assured that the quality of core units map onto the AHRI Model of Excellence for HR Practitioners and Academics, a recognised benchmark of HR best practice and standards.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.