Program Requirements

The Master of Applied Anthropology and Development requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:

12 units from the following compulsory research methods courses:

ANTH8019 Social Analysis and Community Politics (6 units)

ANTH8028 Social Impact Assessment: Theory and Methods (6 units)

12 units from the completion of research project courses from the following list:

ANTH8007 Key Concepts in Anthropology of Development (6 units)

ANTH8009 Development in Practice (6 units)

ANTH8038 Gender and Development: Critical Issues in Policy and Practice (6 units)

ANTH8047 Land Rights and Resource Development (6 units)

ANTH8056  Introduction to Humanitarian Action (6 units)

ANTH8107 Global Governance and the Role of Multilateral Development Banks (6 units)

24 units from completion of applied anthropology and development disciplinary courses on any of the following lists or specialisations:

Development

ANTH6009   Culture and Development (6 units)

ANTH8007   Key Concepts in the Anthropology of Development (6 units)

ANTH8009   Development in Practice (6 units)

ANTH8038   Gender and Development: Critical Issues in Policy and Practice (6 units)

ANTH8107   Global Governance and the Role of Multilateral Development Banks (6 units)

CHMD8006   Global Health and Development (6 units)

SOCY6045   Social Inequalities and Development (6 units)

ANTH8056   Introduction to Humanitarian Action (6 units)

ANTH8001 Graduate Reading Course (Anthropology)

CHMD8014   Perspectives on Culture, Health and Medicine (6 units)

CHMD8021   Indigenous Medicines, Health, and Healing (6 units)

Environment

ANTH8047   Land Rights and Resource Development (6 units)

EMDV8009   Asia Pacific Environmental Conflicts: Causes and Solutions (6 units)

EMDV8079 Water Justice, Management and Governance (6 units)

EMDV8082   Food Wars: Food Security and Agricultural Policy (6 units)

EMDV8101   State, Society and Natural Resources (6 units)

EMDV8124   Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (6 units)

EMDV8017 Toxic: Environmental Pollution and Waste 

Indigenous

HIST8016   Colonial Encounters (6 units)

INDG8001 Indigenous Peoples and Development in Australia: Principles and Practices for Indigenous-led Change (6 units)

INDG8003   Understanding Indigenous Wellbeing: Demographic and Socioeconomic Change (6 units)

INDG8004   Australian Indigenous Policy (6 units)

INDG8006   International Indigenous Studies Research Project (6 units)

Fieldwork and Internship courses

ANIP6503   Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

EMDV8015   Study Tour: Eco-Cultural Tourism (6 units)

PASI6005   Pacific Islands Field School (6 units)

Indigenous Policy and Development specialisation

Society and Environment specialisation

Specialisations

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. 

• A cognate Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5/7
• A Bachelor degree or international equivalent AND a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 4/7

Cognate Discipline

Anthropology, Asia-Pacific Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, Heritage Studies, History, Human Rights, Indigenous Australian Studies, International Relations, Pacific Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Social Research, Social Work, Sociology, Sustainable Development

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

Anthropology, Asia-Pacific Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, Heritage Studies, History, Human Rights, Indigenous Australian Studies, International Relations, Pacific Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Social Research, Social Work, Sociology, Sustainable Development

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.

Employment Opportunities

The Master of Applied Anthropology and Development will advance your career in development, policy, and program management in bilateral, mulitlateral and non-government organisations or as an independent consultant.

Learning Outcomes

1. gain an understanding of trends and changes in development theory and practice as they apply to local development processes;

2. apply critical social inquiry and participatory processes to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development activities;

3. undertake social assessments and integrate social perspectives and participatory practices with other forms of technical expertise in development work; and

4. advise on the development policy processes of NGOs, the private sector, government, and multilateral agencies to ensure the inclusion of local and community perspectives.

Further Information

Interested in writing a thesis? Check out the advanced version of this degree.