RMIT University
Bachelor of International Studies
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3.0F
Campus
City (VIC)
Intl. Tuition
A$40,320 (2027-28)
Home Tuition
A$18,025 (maximum student contribution 2027 (indicative))
Intake
TBD
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Course Overview
Bachelor of International Studies at RMIT University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Social science graduates develop analytical and research skills valued across the civil service, consultancy, research organisations, NGOs and business. Many proceed to postgraduate specialisation or professional training.
Student life (indicative)
City offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle. Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
75,976
Staff Ratio
16.0:1
International
50.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
62.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£37,920
First-year earnings
Placement Year
✓ Available
Work experience option
Costs & Living
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Bachelor of International Studies
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Bachelor of International Studies topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Bachelor of International Studies
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 27 in English as an Additional Language or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
- Non-Year 12 prerequisites Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites. | Current Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- Regional Adjustment RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level courses that select primarily on ATAR.
- Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
- Alternate ways to meet Year 12 English prerequisite If you do not meet the stated Year 12 English prerequisite, please refer to RMIT's minimum English language requirement for alternate ways to meet this requirement.
- Subject adjustment A study score of 30 in Classical Studies, Economics, any History, Literature, any LOTE, Philosophy, Politics or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- Overall maximum of 8 points.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to RMIT University Equity schemes information and the RMIT University website Recent Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants are encouraged to include a personal statement outlining: their reasons for wanting to study this course their intended career path their personal strengths and attributes relevant to the course details of any related work or voluntary experience.
- Applicants who do not submit a personal statement will be considered on their academic achievement only.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
- Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
- You may sit the STAT multiple choice if you: are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the course.
- Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study and can also be used for meeting Year 12 English prerequisite.
- You are still required to meet all other course prerequisites or equivalents.
- Learn more about the STAT and STAT results .
- Regional Adjustment RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level courses that select primarily on ATAR.
- Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
- Alternate ways to meet Year 12 English prerequisite If you do not meet the stated Year 12 English prerequisite, please refer to RMIT's minimum English language requirement for alternate ways to meet this requirement.
- Subject adjustment A study score of 30 in Classical Studies, Economics, any History, Literature, any LOTE, Philosophy, Politics or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- Overall maximum of 8 points.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to RMIT University Equity schemes information and the RMIT University website Applicants with Higher Education study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- Minimum academic entry requirements All applicants must satisfy the University minimum academic entry requirements .
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants are encouraged to include a personal statement outlining: their reasons for wanting to study this course their intended career path their personal strengths and attributes relevant to the course details of any related work or voluntary experience.
- Applicants who do not submit a personal statement will be considered on their academic achievement only.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
- Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
- You may sit the STAT multiple choice if you: are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the course.
- Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study and can also be used for meeting Year 12 English prerequisite.
- You are still required to meet all other course prerequisites or equivalents.
- Learn more about the STAT and STAT results .
- Alternate ways to meet Year 12 English prerequisite If you do not meet the stated Year 12 English prerequisite, please refer to RMIT's minimum English language requirement for alternate ways to meet this requirement.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to RMIT University Equity schemes information and the RMIT University website Applicants with VET study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- Minimum academic entry requirements All applicants must satisfy the University minimum academic entry requirements .
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants are encouraged to include a personal statement outlining: their reasons for wanting to study this course their intended career path their personal strengths and attributes relevant to the course details of any related work or voluntary experience.
- Applicants who do not submit a personal statement will be considered on their academic achievement only.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
- Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
- You may sit the STAT multiple choice if you: are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the course.
- Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study and can also be used for meeting Year 12 English prerequisite.
- You are still required to meet all other course prerequisites or equivalents.
- Learn more about the STAT and STAT results .
- Alternate ways to meet Year 12 English prerequisite If you do not meet the stated Year 12 English prerequisite, please refer to RMIT's minimum English language requirement for alternate ways to meet this requirement.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to RMIT University Equity schemes information and the RMIT University website Applicants with work and life experience Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- Minimum academic entry requirements All applicants must satisfy the University minimum academic entry requirements .
- VTAC Personal Statement Applicants are encouraged to include a personal statement outlining: their reasons for wanting to study this course their intended career path their personal strengths and attributes relevant to the course details of any related work or voluntary experience.
- Applicants who do not submit a personal statement will be considered on their academic achievement only.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
- Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
- You may sit the STAT multiple choice if you: are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the course.
- Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study and can also be used for meeting Year 12 English prerequisite.
- You are still required to meet all other course prerequisites or equivalents.
- Learn more about the STAT and STAT results .
- Regional Adjustment RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants whose highest qualification is Year 12 and are from a low socio-economic status area, for all certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level courses that select primarily on ATAR.
- Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
- Alternate ways to meet Year 12 English prerequisite If you do not meet the stated Year 12 English prerequisite, please refer to RMIT's minimum English language requirement for alternate ways to meet this requirement.
- SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes.
- Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application.
- For further information go to RMIT University Equity schemes information and the RMIT University website
Source: CourseSeeker (Australian Government), retrieved September 2026. Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
75,976
Total students
Staff Ratio
16:1
Students per staff
International Students
50%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Four seasons
Safety Index (indicative)
7.5/10
Transport
Good (close to station or regional airport)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Global / diverse | Entrepreneurial / start-up culture
Student Life & City (indicative)
City offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle. Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.
- City offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle.
- Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.
What Students Love
- Outdoor & nature activities
- Great café culture
- Thriving student social scene
- Beach lifestyle
University Stats
Total Students75,976
Student-to-Staff Ratio16:1
International Students50%
Safety Index (indicative)7.5/10
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
62%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£37,920
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✓ Available
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Social science graduates develop analytical and research skills valued across the civil service, consultancy, research organisations, NGOs and business. Many proceed to postgraduate specialisation or professional training.
- Social science graduates develop analytical and research skills valued across the civil service, consultancy, research organisations, NGOs and business.
- Many proceed to postgraduate specialisation or professional training.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Design
- Engineering
- Business
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Total Programme Cost
A$120,960
For full 3.0F
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Estimated Annual Costs
Tuition (International)A$40,320per year, 2027-28 Official fee page
Tuition (Home)A$18,025per year, maximum student contribution 2027 (indicative) Official fee page
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Housing£821/mo
Food & Groceries£331/mo
Transport£86/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,429
Annual living costs£17,158/yr
Cost Overview (indicative)
Like most major Australian cities, City carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110). RMIT's Melbourne CBD location is central and creative — costs are high but the urban access is unmatched.
- Like most major Australian cities, City carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110).
- RMIT's Melbourne CBD location is central and creative — costs are high but the urban access is unmatched.