single degree

Master of Military and Defence Studies

A single 1.5 year graduate award offered by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

MMDS
  • Length 1.5 year full-time
  • Minimum 72 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Academic plan 7829XMMDS
  • Post Nominal
  • CRICOS code NO CRICOS
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Policy Studies
  • Academic contact
  • Length 1.5 year full-time
  • Minimum 72 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Academic plan 7829XMMDS
  • Post Nominal
  • CRICOS code NO CRICOS
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Policy Studies
  • Academic contact

Program Requirements

The Master of Military and Defence Studies requires the completion of 72 units, which must consist of:

72 units from the completion of the following:

STST8100 Australia’s Strategic and Defence Policy (12 units)

STST8102 Strategy (12 units)

STST8106 Operations I (12 units)

STST8104 Operations II (12 units)

STST8117 Leadership Theory (12 units)

STST8201 Australia's Strategic Environment (12 units)


Or


STST8100 Australia’s Strategic and Defence Policy (12 units)

STST8102 Strategy (12 units)

STST8117 Leadership Theory (12 units)

STST8121 Art of War I (6 units)

STST8122 Art of War II (6 units)

STST8123 Art of War III (6 units)

STST8124 Art of War IV (6 units)

STST8201 Australia’s Strategic Environment (12 units)

Specialisations

Admission Requirements

An AQF Level 7 or 8 qualification or international equivalent in a cognate discipline.


This degree is only open to selected personnel who have been posted as Course Members on the Australian Command and Staff Course.


English Language Requirements

All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.


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

History, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Philosophy, English, Engineering, Sociology, Social Science.

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 Master of Military and Defence Studies is offered in conjunction with the Australian Command and Staff Course at the Australian War College. It is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the following areas of practice:

  • Strategy and Operations;
  • Australian Defence Policy;
  • Military Operations, Leadership and Command; or
  • Australia and the Use of Force

Entry is restricted to students who are posted as course members on the Australian Command and Staff Course.

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 until first semester, 2022

Learning Outcomes

  1. Master the specialised theoretical and integrated learning in strategy, military operations, command and leadership and Australian foreign and defence policy.

  2. Investigate, analyse, and critique complex scholarly works and, where applicable, policy documents relevant to strategy, military operations, command and leadership and Australian foreign and defence policy.

  3. Synthesize complex theories relating to the conduct of strategy, military operations, command and leadership and Australia foreign and defence policy.

  4. Generate and evaluate complex ideas to practical problems in a contemporary setting and exercise judgment in military, defence or policy contexts.

  5. Design, evaluate, and analyse the developments in strategy, military operations, command and leadership and Australian foreign and defence policy.

  6. Justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions in strategy, military operations, command and leadership and Australian foreign and defence policy. 

Back to the top

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions