ANU Diploma of Politics and International Relations: degree pathways
The ANU Diploma of Politics and International Relations offers pathways into five aligned bachelor degrees, with one year of credit when the progression requirements are met. The Bachelor of Asian Studies has a Diploma GPA threshold of 4.0; International Relations, International Security Studies, Political Science and Public Policy each require 4.6. Your intended degree therefore matters when setting your academic target during the Diploma.
Degree pathways and GPA requirements
The aligned pathways are:
| Bachelor degree | Required Diploma GPA |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Asian Studies | 4.0 |
| Bachelor of International Relations | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of International Security Studies | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of Political Science | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of Public Policy | 4.6 |
Asian Studies is the exception within this group. A Diploma GPA of 4.0 meets its stated progression threshold, but falls below the threshold for the other four degrees.
Progression into an aligned bachelor degree carries 48 units of credit, equivalent to one year of study. These arrangements depend on meeting the relevant progression requirements; admission to the Diploma alone does not establish that you have met them.
What the Diploma involves
The Diploma takes 12 months full-time across two semesters and comprises eight courses. It includes ESEN1001 Academic Skills for University Study and level-1000 courses shared with bachelor students.
Teaching is in person at ANU Acton Campus in Canberra. There is no remote option, and the current intake is Semester 1 only.
The program is delivered by a wholly ANU-owned Pathways entity. Diploma students are full ANU students from commencement, with the same access to accommodation as bachelor students. Support includes individual academic advice, monitoring of engagement and progress, referrals to campus services, and help with the transition into bachelor study.
Who can enter the Diploma
The selection-rank entry threshold is 70. The pathway is intended for applicants with selection ranks from 70 to 79.99; applicants with a selection rank of 80 or above should apply for a bachelor degree and cannot commence a Pathway Diploma.
There are no Diploma subject prerequisites, and adjustment factors do not apply. Other entry backgrounds include a graded AQF Certificate IV and the Work and Life Experience Scheme. Qualification-specific requirements still matter when assessing eligibility.
The direct-entry English requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0, or an equivalent result.
Although the Diploma is an AQF Level 5 qualification in its own right, entry must be packaged with a bachelor degree. It is not available for applicants intending only to complete a standalone year. Applicants must also have financial capacity for the Diploma and bachelor sequence.
Fees cover the Diploma year
The indicative annual tuition fee for 2027 is AUD 57,640. This figure covers the Diploma year; it is not the total cost of the Diploma and subsequent bachelor degree.
Most students are not eligible for the ANU International Achievement Award or Vice-Chancellor’s Award during the Diploma. Assessment for these awards occurs on articulation, with a Diploma GPA of at least 4.6 required for consideration. Meeting that threshold does not itself promise an award.
Pacific Region citizens are an exception: the International Achievement Award provides a 50% tuition discount from Diploma commencement.
Changing to another bachelor degree
After the Diploma, students may apply for a bachelor degree outside the aligned list. ANU assesses these applications in the same way as applications from students who have completed one year of undergraduate study at ANU.
Credit is then assessed case by case. The full year of credit available through the aligned pathways is not guaranteed when changing to a non-aligned program.
For planning purposes, distinguish three things: your intended bachelor degree, its required Diploma GPA, and whether it belongs to the aligned pathway list. A change of degree can affect both admission assessment and the credit carried forward.