Are you seeking a dynamic career in politics, the public service, advocacy organisations, not-for-profit social and community services or private industry?
The ANU Bachelor of Policy Studies equips you with a comprehensive understanding of Australian public policies and related international policies.
This well-regarded education experience includes the Applied Policy Project, in which you will be engaged in an intensive student-led investigation of a policy issue or controversy relevant to your interests. You may also have the opportunity to attend the Australian National Internship Program.
Our program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge you need to gather and analyse a range of economic, demographic and social data, to evaluate public policies and programs, and to participate in policy design, advocacy and communication.
The Master of Diplomacy is your pathway to professional advancement, equipping you with knowledge about practices of international affairs and real-world skills to effectively represent your country or organisation at an international level.
The degree provides exciting study and career options in the important and prestigious arena of diplomatic practice. You will be taught by internationally recognised research scholars from the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy and senior diplomats from Australia and elsewhere, and you will graduate from a world-class university, positioning you firmly in the centre of a global network of leading scholars and policy-makers.
Employment Opportunities
Ideal for careers in the foreign ministries and in the international sections of other ministries - for example Australia Awards, Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration, Trade, Environment; IGOs - United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund; Journalism and NGOs such as the Red Cross.Ideal for careers in the foreign ministries and in the international sections of other ministries - for example Australia Awards, Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration, Trade, Environment; IGOs - United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund; Journalism and NGOs such as the Red Cross.Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Policy Studies, graduates will be able to:
- define key areas of contemporary Australian public policy;
- critique the historical development of current Australian public policies;
- gather and analyse economic data, social data, and statistics related to Australian public policies;
- interpret and evaluate the outcomes of analysis of Australian public policies;
- produce professional written documentation for use within the Australian policy process;
- communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing, the findings of policy analysis and the evaluation of public policies; and
- engage and intervene effectively in the contemporary Australian public policy process to effect change.
Upon successful completion of a Master of Diplomacy, graduates will be able to:
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Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of transnational diplomacy and its contemporary challenges, from the perspective of multiple actors, such as a civil service department, multilateral body, international corporation or non-government organisation;
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Display effective diplomatic skills with the ability to engage with transnational issues in a globalised environment with the use of negotiation, persuasion, advocacy and protocol
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Use theories of diplomatic studies to reflect upon the global management of the world’s problems through diplomatic dialogue, and the role of the use of force, and design multi-stakeholder processes that lead to solutions;
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Use high-level research and writing skills to undertake self-directed study in diplomacy and communicate findings in academic and practical contexts, justifying their approach and methods as appropriate.
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Use their knowledge and skills to analyse new areas of concern in both scholarly and policy-relevant terms;
Additional Information
The Ruth Dobson Scholarship is available for eligible students of the Master of Diplomacy, or Master of Diplomacy (advanced) degrees. Each year the Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy (APCD) may award up to two Ruth Dobson Scholarships to attract the highest achieving students for the advancement of Diplomatic Studies.The Ruth Dobson Scholarship is available for eligible students of the Master of Diplomacy, or Master of Diplomacy (advanced) degrees. Each year the Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy (APCD) may award up to two Ruth Dobson Scholarships to attract the highest achieving students for the advancement of Diplomatic Studies.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.
More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.
The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website is HERE. Based on surveys done by thousands of students across Australia you can find out about universities that interest you, doing side-by-side comparisons.
The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.
- ATAR:
- 80
- QLD Band:
- 10
- International Baccalaureate:
- 28
Domestic applicant entry requirements
Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on an ATAR 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.
Adjustment Factors
ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Subject and performance-based adjustments do not apply to programs with a minimum selection rank of 98 or higher. Visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Policy Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Master of Diplomacy - Domestic Tuition Fees (DTF)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Bachelor of Policy Studies Annual indicative fee for international students
- $40,416.00
- Master of Diplomacy Annual indicative fee for international students
- $42,960.00
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 Policy Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 144 units must include:
54 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
DEMO2001 Population Studies
ECON1101 Microeconomics 1
POLS1002 Introduction to Politics
POLS2009 Bureaucracy and Public Policy
POLS2105 Political Leadership and Executive Government
SOCY1002 Self and Society
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
SOCY2101 Social Policy: Principles and Practice
6 units from completion of a Capstone course from the following list:
SOCY3001 Research Internship
SOCY3030 Applied Policy Project
6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
ECON1100 Economics 1 (H)
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1
6 units from completion of an Australian Politics course from the following list:
HIST2227 Australian Political History
POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying
POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia
POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions
POLS2121 Ideas in Australian Politics
6 units from completion of a Political Theory course from the following list:
PHIL2020 Politics Theories of Social Justice
PHIL2115 Political Philosophy from Hobbes to Mill
POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory
POLS2119 Ideas in Politics
POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory
18 units from completion of Key Issues in Policy Studies courses from the following list:
ANIP3005 Australian National Internship B
CRIM2001 Doing Criminology: Research and Practice in Crime and Criminal Justice
CRIM2003 Controversies in Crime Control
CRIM2004 Dimensions of Crime: Identifying and Controlling Offenders
ENVS3001 Climate Change Science and Policy in Practice
ENVS3020 Climate Change Science and Policy
ENVS3028 Environmental Policy
ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy
INDG3001 Public policy development and implementation and Indigenous Australians
LING2022 Language Policy and Language Politics
SOCY2021 Education and Society
SOCY2022 Environmental Sociology
STST2001 International Security Issues in the Asia-Pacific
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3002 Australian Security in the Asian Century
STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
DIPL8002 Contemporary Challenges in Diplomacy
INTR8069 Writing International Relations 12 units
24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU
Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.
Students must complete the Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in order to commence the Master degree.
The Master of Diplomacy requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:
24 units of specified credit from graduate courses completed in the Bachelor degree
24 units of unspecified credit
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
DIPL8001 Transnational Diplomacy
DIPL8004 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
24 units from completion of diplomatic studies courses from the following list:
DIPL8000 Research Methods in Diplomacy
DIPL8003 Case Studies in Diplomacy
DIPL8006 Diplomacy, Politics and the United Nations
DIPL8008 The United Nations and Peace
DIPL8009 Diplomacy in a Globalising World
DIPL8010 Harnessing Diplomacy for International Development
DIPL8012 Special Topics in Diplomacy
DIPL8013 Pacific Diplomacy
Honours
For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Policy Studies (Honours)
Single degree
This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab. Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.
Bachelor of Policy Studies consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1002 towards the Politics Major and the B Policy Studies compulsory course list.
For the Bachelor of Policy Studies you will need to complete:
Nine compulsory courses (54 units)- One capstone course from the designated list (6 units)
- One economics course from the designated list (6 units)
- One Australian politics course from the designated list (6 units)
- One political theory course from the designated list (6 units)
- Three Key Issues in Policy Studies courses from the designated list (18 units)
- Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)
Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Policy Studies. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.
Double degree
This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab. Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.
Bachelor of Policy Studies Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of Policy Studies degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1002 towards the Politics Major and the B Policy Studies compulsory course list.
You will need to complete:
Nine compulsory courses (54 units)- One capstone course from the designated list (6 units)
- One economics course from the designated list (6 units)
- One Australian politics course from the designated list (6 units)
- One political theory course from the designated list (6 units)
- Three Key Issues in Policy Studies courses from the designated list (18 units)
Please note that you are only permitted to count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Policy Studies. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.
Enrolment Status
While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.
If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.
You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Policy Studies half of the double degree.
In your first year you need to enrol in:
- The following compulsory courses:
- ECON1101 Microeconomics 1
- POLS1002 Introduction to Politics
- SOCY1002 Self and Society
- ECON1100 Economics 1 (H) or ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1
- DEMO2001 for Semester 1 starters
- Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.
Electives
For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. If you have an interest in another discipline such as management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in these areas. In particular look at the majors and minors in these areas. These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.
If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details by searching ‘language placement test’ on ANU’s website.
Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Back to the Master of Diplomacy page
Welcome to the Master of Diplomacy. This section will help you to choose which courses you should enrol in for your first semester as well as general information to assist you throughout your degree. Aside from personal interest, a student’s enrolment will depend primarily on whether or not they have received credit on admission, and whether they are studying full time or part time. The following guidelines are based on the assumption you are studying full time:
Students are to follow the degree requirements for the year they commenced their studies. If you would like to undertake a course that is not listed in your degree requirements, you will need to seek approval by sending an email to apcd@anu.edu.au
Enrolment is managed through the Interactive Student Information System (ISIS) while the online learning platform is known as Wattle. These two websites will be some of the most common sites used throughout your degree. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with them as soon as possible.
What courses should I enrol in? I have not received any credit.
If you have not received any credit for previous study and you are commencing in Semester 1, you will enrol in the following courses:
DIPL8001 Transnational Diplomacy (12 units)
INTR8069 Writing International Relations (12 units)
If you have not received any credit for previous study and you are commencing in Semester 2, you will enrol in the following courses:
DIPL8002 Contemporary Challenges in Diplomacy (12 units)
INTR8069 Writing International Relations (12 Units)
What courses should I enrol in? I have received 24 units of credit.
If you have received 24 units of credit you are exempt from the following courses:
DIPL8002 – Contemporary Challenges in Diplomacy, and
INTR8069 – Writing International Relations
You may still choose to enrol in DIPL8002 as an elective.
If you are commencing in semester 1, you must enrol in the following courses:
DIPL8001 – Transnational Diplomacy
DIPL8004 – Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
If you are commencing in semester 2 as a full-time student, we suggest you enrol in the following course:
DIPL8009 – Diplomacy in a Globalising World
Then, select a further 18 units of course electives from the degree options for that semester.What courses should I enrol in? I have received 48 units of credit
If you have received 48 units of credit you are exempt from the following courses:
DIPL8002 – Contemporary Challenges in Diplomacy, and
INTR8069 – Writing International Relations
However, you may still choose to enrol in DIPL8002 as an elective.You have also received credit for 24 units of unspecified electives.
If you are commencing in semester 1, you should enrol in the following courses:
DIPL8001 – Transnational Diplomacy
DIPL8004 – Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Then select a further 24 units of elective courses from your semester 2 options
If you are commencing in semester 2, you should enrol in the following course:
DIPL8009 – Diplomacy in a Globalising World
Then, select a further 18 units of course electives from the degree options for that semester.
Your semester 1 courses the following year will then be:
DIPL8001 – Transnational Diplomacy
DIPL8004 – Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Transfers
If you are considering applying to transfer to the Master of Diplomacy (Advanced), you will need to maintain a GPA of 6/7 in the Master of Diplomacy (ANU courses only, credit will not be included in this calculation) and have completed at least 24 units of study. You should also ensure that you undertake the elective DIPL8000 Research Methods in Diplomacy as this is a compulsory course in the Advanced Program. Please be aware that you will need to maintain an 80% average to be eligible to enrol in the Thesis component of the Advanced program. Failure to do so will require you to transfer back to the Master of Diplomacy (to graduate or complete your degree with a further 24 units of coursework).
A GPA of 6/7 is equivalent to a Distinction average. See GPA website for more information.
Applications to transfer generally close 31 May for a semester 2 transfer and 31 October for a transfer to semester 1 the following year. This means that you have to apply before you have received your final results. However, the application will only be processed once all grades are finalised.
For more information, please see the following websites:
Master of Diplomacy (Advanced)
If you have any queries regarding your degree, courses or enrolments, please feel free to contact the Student Engagement Team at apcd@anu.edu.au
We look forward to assisting you through your degree and your time here at ANU with the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy
Double degree
If you undertake the Master of Diplomacy as a Flexible Verticle Double, you will undertake the following courses in your undergraduate degree:
DIPL8002 Contemporary Challenges in Diplomacy (12 units)
INTR8069 Writing International Relations (12 units)
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact Diplomacy - Student Administration at apcd@anu.edu.au