Program Requirements
The Master of Asian and Pacific Studies requires completion of 96 units which must consist of:
36 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:
ASIA8008 Debate, Inquiry and Collaboration in Asian Studies
ASIA8022 Approaching Asia and the Pacific: Concepts, Tools, and Methods
PASI8002 Pacific Foundations: From Maritime Societies to Global Cultures
PASI8004 Human Security and Well-being in the Pacific Region
PASI8005 The Politics of Aid and Development in the Pacific
PASI8011 Critical Approaches to Pacific and Inclusive Research Methodologies
A minimum of 18 units from the completion of Asian Studies courses from the following list:
ARCH6050 The Archaeology of South East Asia
ASIA6006 The Making of Modern Korea
ASIA6010 The Making of Modern Japan: From Samurai to Economic Superpower and Beyond
ASIA6014 China: Language, Discourse, and Political Culture
ASIA6018 Maps and Mapping in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA6022 Special Topics in Asian and Pacific Studies
ASIA6030 History of the State System in Southeast Asia
ASIA6031 Japanese Politics
ASIA6037 History of Modern China
ASIA6042 Reconciliation and the Memory of Conflict in Asia
ASIA6044 Chinese History: The Imperial Period (221 BC – 1800)
ASIA6087 The Korean War
ASIA6099 Social Power in China: Family to Family-State
ASIA6121 Engaging Asia: Australia and the Asian Century
ASIA6272 Truth and Falsity in Indian History and Politics
ASIA6304 What is Literature? Asian Perspectives
ASIA8020 National and Transnational Histories in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA8038 Cultural Creativity and Research in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA8042 Contemporary Taiwan and its Histories
ASIA8044 Research Methods in Chinese Studies
ASIA8048 Disasters and Epidemics in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA8050 Social Conflict and Environmental Change
ASIA8051 Language and Power in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA8512 Supervised Project in Asia-Pacific Studies
DEMO8090 Population Issues in Asia and Their Implications for World Development
INTR8022 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific
INTR8082 Regionalism in Southeast Asia
LAWS8276 Chinese Law and Society
LAWS8594 Law and Society in South East Asia
LING6003 Grammar of the World’s Languages
LING6005 Language across Time
LING6009 Field Methods in Linguistics
LING6031 Papuan languages
LING6032 Forensic Linguistics: Forensic Voice and Text Comparison
LING6038 Corpus Linguistics
LING6040 Austronesian languages
LING6105 Forensic Linguistics: Language and the Law
A minimum of 18 units from the completion of Pacific Studies courses from the following list:
ARCH6005 Archeology of the Pacific Islanders
DIPL8013 Pacific Diplomacy
IDEC8037 Pacific Economies and Politics
INTR8043 Changing Geopolitics and International Relations in the Pacific
LAWS8006 Law and Development in the Contemporary South Pacific
PASI6001 Pacific Studies in a Globalising World
PASI6002 Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries
PASI6007 War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific
PASI6008 Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific
A maximum of 12 units from completion of experiential courses from the following list:
ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A
ASIA6220 Asia Pacific In-Country Learning
ENVS6017 Vietnam Field School
ENVS6205 Island Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School
PASI6030 Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development
A maximum of 24 units from completion of the following thesis course:
ASIA8500 Thesis (24 units, requires grade of at least 75 in PASI8011 if topic is Pacific Studies, or grade of at least 75 in ASIA8022 if topic is Asian Studies) (topic must be related to Asian, Pacific, or Asia-Pacific comparative)
A maximum of 24 units from the following language areas:
BURM Burmese
CHIN Chinese
FREN French
HIND Hindi
INDN Indonesian
JPNS Japanese
KORE Korean
MNGL Mongolian
SKRT Sanskrit
TETM Tetum
THAI Thai
TIBN Tibetan
TOKP Tok Pisin
VIET Vietnamese
Admission Requirements
Applicants must present one of the following:
- A Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 5/7
- A Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the progra
- A Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a GC or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7
- A Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7
- 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7
- A Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program
- GRE General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program
- A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.
The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.
Ranking and English Language Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:
- a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
- demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency
Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.
Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support
Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.
Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.
Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
Credit Granted
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit. Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit. Applicants seeking to transfer from the Master of Engaging Asia may be eligible for up to 72 units of credit.
Cognate Disciplines
Asian Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, Development Studies, Diplomacy, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, History, International Business, International Relations, Language Studies, Law, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Media Studies and Journalism, Pacific Studies, Politics and Public Policy, Security Studies, Sociology
Pathways
The Diploma of Languages offers one pathway into this degree. Students enrolled in either Master of Pacific Studies or Master of Asian Studies may also transfer up to 48 units of credit into this degree if they maintain a specified GPA. Students in the Graduate Certificate of Asian, Political, and International Studies or Graduate Certificate of Pacific Studies may also apply for up to 24 units of credit if they maintain a specified GPA.
Indicative fees
Domestic Tuition Fees (DTF)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $53,110.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
This two-year program will build students' unique regional expertise in both Asian Studies and Pacific Studies through deep knowledge and innovative research. The Master of Asian and Pacific Studies immerses students in nuanced understandings of these two region's people, technologies, languages, and ideas. The program allows students to develop in-depth knowledge by specialising in particular Asian and Pacific regions, disciplines, or thematic areas. In this program, students are encouraged to develop language skills that they can use in their specialised work. For those who wish to design an independent project, this degree provides an opportunity to pursue advanced research through a thesis. The Master of Asian and Pacific Studies allows students to work within one of the largest world-class concentrations of scholars focused on Asia and the Pacific. The ANU is a global leader in the teaching of Asian and Pacific languages and offers notable opportunities for in-country study. Successful completion of this degree offers an ideal pathway into a profession where deep knowledge of Asia and the Pacific, advanced research and writing skills, and high levels of independent project management are required.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
This degree is suitable for those entering a profession where deep knowledge of Asia and the Pacific, advanced research and writing skills, and high levels of independent project management are required. Those who pursue the thesis option will have a pathway into a PhD.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a nuanced knowledge of the cultures, societies, politics, environments, and histories of Asian and Pacific regions.
- Critically analyse the research literature from both specialist and interdisciplinary perspectives.
- Conceptualise new research projects considering their practical application, academic contributions, and ethical implications.
- Apply interdisciplinary methods and high-level critical analysis to conduct independent research on key issues within Asia and the Pacific.
- Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills, individually and in groups, in appropriate languages.
- Convey professional and disciplinary knowledge and methods to diverse audiences in a clear and convincing manner.
Inherent Requirements
Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.
Further Information
In 2023 and 2024 the School of Culture, History & Language, in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific ('the School') offered one award each year known as the Myint Zan Scholarship for the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies ('the Award').
The objective of the Award is to support two outstanding Master's students to build unique regional expertise in Asian and Pacific Students through the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies program.
Funding for this Award has been provided by Professor Myint Zan, a retired Burmese legal academic, ANU alumnus and committed donor to the ANU.
Students in MANPS cannot graduate with any of the following Specialisations: Asian Studies, Pacific Studies, Asian and Pacific Studies