Do you see yourself shaping Australia's foreign policy decisions? Or working with elite international organisations like the United Nations or our top spy agencies? The Bachelor of International Security Studies can help you make your dream career a reality.

When you study the Bachelor of International Security Studies you will delve deeply into the contemporary security threats facing nations, international organisations and businesses around the world – including the threat of military power, civil war, terrorism, cybercrime, environmental degradation and food security to name just a few. Read more about this degree on our website.

The program is an elite, research-focused program for exceptional students who want to pursue

• A career based in the quantitative modelling of the real world;
• A research oriented career in government, commerce or industry;
• Or postgraduate research leading to a higher degree.

This program provides a unique opportunity within Australia to study mathematics.

• We offer small class sizes when compared to other top Australian universities.
• We offer student access to some of the best mathematicians in Australia.
• We offer a stream of advanced courses from first year through to the honours year.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

Employment Opportunities

From instability in the Middle East, to the rising occurrences of computer hacking or global warming and its impact on human populations, there’s a whole range of global security challenges which face business, government and international organisations today. As a result, employers across industry have begun to seek out graduates who have the confidence to provide advice on these issues and how to minimise their impacts.

The Bachelor of International Security Studies gives you the practical skills and knowledge that will set you apart as a leader in this field and graduates from this degree can expect to find themselves working in a range of fields including business analysts, defence policy, foreign affairs, intelligence agencies, journalism and media. Recent graduates of security studies are currently working with organisations like the Attorney Generals Department, United Nations, Telstra, Boeing, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. More information can be found here.

From instability in the Middle East, to the rising occurrences of computer hacking or global warming and its impact on human populations, there’s a whole range of global security challenges which face business, government and international organisations today. As a result, employers across industry have begun to seek out graduates who have the confidence to provide advice on these issues and how to minimise their impacts.

The Bachelor of International Security Studies gives you the practical skills and knowledge that will set you apart as a leader in this field and graduates from this degree can expect to find themselves working in a range of fields including business analysts, defence policy, foreign affairs, intelligence agencies, journalism and media. Recent graduates of security studies are currently working with organisations like the Attorney Generals Department, United Nations, Telstra, Boeing, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. More information can be found here.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to:

• Identify and explain the key concepts, ideas and principal actors in international security.
• Evaluate the major theoretical frameworks for understanding the complexities of contemporary international security challenges.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the historical and contemporary dimensions of international, internal and transnational security, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Analyse the key challenges facing Australian security and defence policy in the ‘Asian Century’.
• Reflect critically on the principal factors that determine the security policies of Australia and the major Asia-Pacific powers.
• Employ communication and presentation skills (oral, written and electronic).
• Demonstrate teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Exhibit the ability to write for both academic and professional audience

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Think clearly, sequentially and logically, as demonstrated by the critical analysis of quantitative problems, such as the ability to read, understand and write mathematical proofs.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the concepts and techniques of Advanced Mathematics
3. Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
4. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
5. Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
6. Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives.

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

Prerequisites

ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol.

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/  for more information.

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.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of International Security Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

48 units from completion of the International Security major

24 units from completion of one of the following minors:

Arabic

Asia-Pacific Politics

Asia-Pacific Security

Chinese Language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Historical International Security

Indonesian Language

International Relations

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Korean Language

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

Persian

Russian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish

Thai Language

Urdu Language

Vietnamese Language

24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

The Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

36 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2

MATH2301 Games, Graphs and Machines

MATH2305 Applied Mathematics I

MATH2320 Advanced Analysis 1: Metric Spaces and Applications

MATH2322 Advanced Algebra 1: Groups, Rings and Linear Algebra

36 units from completion of 3000- or 4000-level courses from the subject area MATH Mathematics

6 units from completion of an introductory statistics course from the following list:

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of an introductory computing course from the following list:

COMP1100 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms

COMP1130 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms (Advanced)

COMP1730 Programming for Scientists

24 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list and 2000-level courses from the following subject areas:

MATH Mathematics

STAT Statistics

COMP Computer Science

Students must achieve a minimum 75% weighted average mark in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn and Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences. 

Students who do not achieve a minimum of 75% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science.

Majors

Bachelor of International Security Studies Majors

Minors

Bachelor of International Security Studies Minors