Program Requirements
The Masters of Strategic Studies requires completion of 72 units which must consist of:
18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
STST8001 Strategic Studies
STST8010 Strategic Concepts and Asia Pacific Conflict
STST8052 The Resort to Force: Understanding Military Power
A minimum of 18 units from the following strategic studies courses:
STST8002 The New Power Politics of Asia
STST8004 Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century
STST8054 Building a defence force: Defence force structure planning and acquisition
STST8066 Strategic Diplomacy in the 21st Century: Rethinking Strategy and Statecraft
STST8068 Asian Strategy and Security: History, Theory and Practice
A maximum of 36 units from the following strategy and security thematic course lists:
Strategy, and Security in Asia
INTR8040 Ethnicity and Conflict in the Asia-Pacific
INTR8067 U.S. Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific
NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security
STST8013 China’s Defence and Strategic Challenges
STST8021 Intelligence and Security
STST8053 Alliances in Asia: Theory, History and Practice
STST8055 Making Grand Strategy
STST8056 Strategy and Southeast Asia: Defence and Security Dynamics
War Studies, Conflict and Global Security
INTR8053 Ethics of Peace and War
MEAS8111 Islam, The West and International Terrorism
MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
MEAS8113 The Gulf Strategic Environment
NSPO8028 History for Policymakers
STST8027 Insurgency and counterinsurgency
WARS6001 Walking the Ground: War Studies in the Field
National Security and Policymaking
DIPL8044 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
NSPO8009 Cyber and Emerging Technologies in National Security
NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management
NSPO8028 History for Security Policymakers
NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security
NSPO8033 Climate, the Environment and National Security
NSPO8036 Australian National Security Law: Introduction for Policymakers
STST8021 Intelligence and Security
STST8066 Strategic Diplomacy in the 21st Century: Rethinking Strategy and Statecraft
Special topics
STST8017 Special Topics in Strategic Studies
STST8057 Defence Leadership in ASEAN A
STST8058 Defence Leadership in ASEAN B
A maximum of 6 units from the following experiential courses:
ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A (Graduate)
STST8059 Strategic Studies Internship
STST8064 Strategic Studies Experience (0 units)
VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity
VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCPG6004 Creating Impact
VCPG8001 Dealing with Wicked Problems
VCPG8002 Ignorance!
Hurdle Requirements
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.
Admission Requirements
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.
- Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or
- 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 program; or
- Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a GC or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or
- Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or
- 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or
- 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; or
- 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; or
- A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.
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.
Academic achievement & English language proficiency
The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0.
However, 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 Requirements for Admission
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.
Cognate Disciplines
International relations and diplomacy; public policy and administration; strategic and security studies; political science; history; sociology; economics and development; social science; law; and regional studies
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $32,840.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $46,910.00
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.
The Strategic and Defence Studies Centre combines the theoretical and practical expertise of leading academics and policy-makers to deliver Australia’s foremost strategic studies program. Develop the analytical frameworks you need to tackle the regional and global strategic and security challenges of your career, and graduate a leader in your field.
Study with the best.
Study Strategic Studies at ANU with internationally recognised experts in Australian strategic policy, Asia-Pacific security and global strategic issues.
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.
This program is available for applications to commence from First Semester, 2021
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and cognitive skills in strategic and defence studies.
Possess an integrated understanding of the conduct of strategy, military operations, and its relationship to policy
Undertake strategic and policy analysis and be able to critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information relating to the conduct of strategy and military operations
Possess the technical skills needed to access the academic literature in the fields of study associated with strategic and defence studies
Research and apply established theories and concepts and exercise expert judgement in military, defence or policy contexts as they apply to Australian, Asian and Global settings.
Apply strategic concepts and knowledge to practical, contemporary problems using case studies from Australia, Asia and global environments
Conduct scholarly research, express ideas and construct evidence-based arguments in both written and oral form.