Why study Politics? Politics immerses you in the pivotal subjects of the 21st century - like the politics of climate change or contemporary China - and equips you to join the debate. In a politics major you'll compare the various institutions, processes and beliefs that societies have developed to settle conflict, order priorities and distribute wealth. You'll learn how power is used in different systems of government, how states relate to one another in the international system and how local, national and global relationships operate. You'll analyze and debate competing accounts of what happened and what ought to happen. Where can Politics take me? La Trobe is recognized internationally as one of Australia's leading centres for the study of politics and international relations. Our graduates include high-level government officials from Sri Lanka and Malaysia as well as Australian MPs Matthew Guy, Jacinta Collins and Mary Delahunty. Their passion for politics took them into direct electoral representation but that's just one of many potential career paths for our graduates. Politics prepares you for a career in a range of fields including government and non-government, journalism, media, public relations, education, health and welfare, business administration, corporate-government relations, think tanks and research institutes. Further study options If you're an undergraduate with a politics major and a strong academic record, your Honours year awaits. Combine coursework and research in your specialized area of study. Complete the Honours program with high grades to qualify for entry into the Masters by Research program or direct entry into the PhD program.