Program Requirements

The Master of Asian and Pacific Studies requires completion of 96 units which must consist of:

• 12 units of compulsory courses
• a minimum of 12 units of comparative courses on Asia and the Pacific
• a minimum of 24 units of elective courses from one or more themed fields

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses: 

ASIA8020 National and Transnational Histories in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8022 Approaching Asia and the Pacific Today: Concepts, Tools and Methods

A minimum of 12 units from completion of comparative courses on Asia and the Pacific from the following list:

ASIA8021 Activism and Social Change in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8023 Race, Culture and the Asian Body in the Age of Biotech

ASIA8038 Cultural Creativity and Research in Asia and the Pacific 

ASIA8048 Disasters and Epidemics in Asia and the Pacific  

ASIA8049 International History from Asia and the Pacific: Framing Critical Perspectives

ASIA8050 Social Conflict and Environmental Challenges in Asia and the Pacific 

ASIA8051 Language and Power in Asia and the Pacific

PASI8002 Pacific Foundations: From Maritime Societies to Global Cultures

A minimum of 24 units from completion of courses listed in one or more of the following fields:

China studies

ASIA6014 China: Language, Discourse, and Political Culture

ASIA6026 The Politics of China

ASIA6037 History of Modern China

ASIA6044 Chinese History: The Imperial Period (221 BC - 1800)

ASIA6099 Social Power in China: Family and Connections

ASIA6202 Archaeology of China

ASIA8044 Research Methods in Chinese Studies

IDEC8021 The Chinese Economy

INTR8060 China's Global Engagement

INTR8074 Chinese Thinking on International Relations

STST8013 China's Defence and Strategic Challenges

Development studies in Asia and the Pacific

ANTH8038 Gender & Development: Critical Issues in Policy & Practice

ANTH8047 Land Rights and Resource Development

ANTH8106 Gender, Violence and Development

EMDV8013 Development and Environment in the Anthropocene

POGO8044 Global Social Policy

POGO8072 Development Theories and Themes

Environment in Asia and the Pacific

ANTH8060 Gender in Resource and Environmental Management

ASIA6012 Study Tour: Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8048 Disasters and Epidemics in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8050 Social Conflict and Environmental Challenges in Asia and the Pacific

EMDV8079 Water Justice, Management and Governance

EMDV8082 Food Wars: Food Security and Agricultural Policy

EMDV8104 Environmental Governance

EMDV8124 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Gender in Asia and the Pacific

ANTH8038 Gender & Development: Critical Issues in Policy & Practice

ANTH8060 Gender in Resource and Environmental Management

ANTH8106 Gender, Violence and Development

ASIA6106 Gender in Korean History

HUMN6004 Global Vietnam: Gender, Labour and Migration

INTR8064 Gender, War and Justice in South and Southeast Asia

PASI8008 Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

History and Culture in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA6012 Study Tour: Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA6018 Maps and Mapping in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA6030 History of the State System in Southeast Asia

ASIA6037 History of Modern China

ASIA6040 Literary and Cultural Discourse in Modern Japan

ASIA6042 Reconciliation and the Memory of Conflict in Asia

ASIA6072 Taiwan: History and Culture

ASIA6074 Popular Culture in East Asia

ASIA6099 Social Power in China: Family and Connections

ASIA6106 Gender in Korean History

ASIA6116 The Mongol Empire in World History

ASIA6145 Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda

ASIA6272 Truth and Falsity in Indian History and Politics

ASIA6511 Samurai Society and Social Control in Japan

ASIA8042 Contemporary Taiwan and its Histories

ASIA8038 Cultural Creativity and Research in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8047 Rituals of Life and Death in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8050 Social Conflict and Environmental Challenges in Asia and the Pacific

Linguistics in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA6308 Linguistic Histories in Asia and the Pacific

LING6001 Introduction to the Study of Language

LING6015 Language, Culture and Translation

LING6021 Cross Cultural Communication

LING6028 Japanese Linguistics

Northeast Asian studies

ASIA6006 The Making of Modern Korea

ASIA6010 The Making of Modern Japan: From Samurai to Economic Superpower and Beyond

ASIA6031 Japanese Politics

ASIA6037 History of Modern China

ASIA6042 Reconciliation and the Memory of Conflict in Asia

ASIA6044 Chinese History: The Imperial Period (221 BC - 1800)

ASIA6072 Taiwan: History and Culture

ASIA6074 Popular Culture in East Asia

ASIA6106 Gender in Korean History

ASIA6116 The Mongol Empire in World History

ASIA6511 Samurai Society and Social Control in Japan

ASIA8011 Rethinking Northeast Asia: Region, Culture and Society

ASIA8042 Contemporary Taiwan and its Histories

POGO8220 Issues in Japanese Policy

WARS6088 The Korean War

Pacific studies

ANTH8047 Land Rights and Resource Development

ANTH8106 Gender, Violence and Development

ASIA8047 Rituals of Life and Death in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8048 Disasters and Epidemics in Asia and the Pacific

DIPL8013 Pacific Diplomacy

PASI6001 Pacific Studies in a Globalizing World

PASI6002 Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries

PASI6005 Pacific Islands Field School

PASI6030 Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development

PASI8002 Pacific Foundations: From Maritime Societies to Global Cultures

PASI8004 Pacific Health Development Post-Covid

PASI8008 Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

WARS6006 War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific

Politics and International Affairs in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA6026 The Politics of China

ASIA6030 History of the State System in Southeast Asia

ASIA6516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development

ASIA8040 Engaging Asia: Australia and the Asian Century

INTR8013 International Political Economy

INTR8022 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

INTR8043 The Post-Colonial Pacific and Global Change

INTR8060 China's Global Engagement

INTR8064 Gender, War, and Justice in South and Southeast Asia

INTR8067 US Foreign and Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific

INTR8068 Foreign Policy Analysis

INTR8073 Human Security

INTR8074 Chinese Thinking on International Relations

POGO8045 International Policy Making in the Shadow of the Future

POGO8220 Issues in Japanese Policy

REGN8005 Restorative Justice in the World

WARS6088 The Korean War

Security in Asia and the Pacific

STST8002 The New Power Politics of Asia

NSPO8006 National Security Policymaking

NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management

NSPO8013 Disease, Security and Biological Weapons

NSPO8018 The Evolution of National Security Policy since 1945

STST8013 China's Defence and Strategic Challenges

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century

STST8068 Asian Strategy and Security: History, Theory and Practice

South and Southeast Asian Studies

ASIA6030 History of the State System in Southeast Asia

ASIA6039 Burma/Myanmar: a Country in Crisis

ASIA6042 Reconciliation and the Memory of Conflict in Asia

ASIA6070 Democracy in Southeast Asia

ASIA6165 Islam in Southeast Asia

ASIA6176 India’s Culture Wars

ASIA6270 India Past and Present: The impact of pre-colonial history on India today

ASIA6271 The Making of South Asia

ASIA6272 Truth and Falsity in Indian History and Politics

ASIA6516 Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development

INTR8058 Islam, Politics and Conflicts in Southeast Asia

INTR8064 Gender, War, and Justice in South and Southeast Asia

Translation Studies in Asia and the Pacific

LANG6001 Translation across Languages: The Translation of Literary Texts

LANG6002 Translation across Languages: Specialised Materials

LANG8016 Translation Project

LING6015 Language, Culture and Translation

Research Methods

ANTH8019 Social Analysis & Community Politics

ASIA6018 Maps and Mapping in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA8512 Supervised Project in Asia-Pacific Studies

POLS8047 Interpretation, Method, Critique: Interpretivist Methods in the Social Sciences

SOCR8003 Qualitative Research Analysis

SOCR8006 Online Research Methods

SOCR8009 Quantitative data collection

A maximum of 24 units from completion of the following independent research and thesis course: 

ASIA8500 Thesis (24 units)

A maximum of 6 units from completion of special topics course: 

ASIA6022 Special Topics in Asia and Pacific Studies

A maximum of 24 units of language courses from the following codes or minors:

Burmese Language (BURM) 

Chinese Language (CHIN) 

Hindi Language (HIND) 

Indonesian Language (INDN)

Japanese Language (JPNS)

Korean Language (KORE) 

Literary Chinese Language (CHIN) 

Mongolian Language (MNGL) 

Sanskrit Language (SKRT)

Tetum Language (TETM) 

Thai Language (THAI)

Tibetan Language (TIBN)

Tok Pisin (TOKP) 

Vietnamese Language (VIET) 

BURM-MIN Burmese Language Minor

CHIN-MIN Chinese Language Minor

ACHN-MIN Advanced Chinese Language Minor

HIND-MIN Hindi Language Minor

INDN-MIN Indonesian Language Minor

JPNS-MIN Japanese Language Minor

AJPN-MIN Advanced Japanese Language Minor

KORE-MIN Korean Language Minor

AKOR-MIN Advanced Korean Language Minor

LCHN-MIN Literary Chinese Minor

MNGL-MIN Mongolian Language Minor

SANS-MIN Sanskrit Language Minor

ASKT-MIN Advanced Sanskrit Language Minor

TIBN-MIN Tibetan Minor

TETM-MIN Tetum Language Minor

THAI-MIN Thai Language Minor

TOKP-MIN Tok Pisin Language Minor

VIET-MIN Vietnamese Language Minor

A maximum of 6 units of experiential courses from the following list: 

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A 

ASIA6220 Asia Pacific In-Country Learning

INDG8001 Indigenous Peoples and Development in Australia: principles and practices for Indigenous-led change 

INDG8003 Understanding Indigenous Wellbeing: Demographic and Socioeconomic Change 

INDG8004 Australian Indigenous Policy

Vice-Chancellor's courses (VCPG)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

• A Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 5/7
• A 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 progra
• A Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a GC or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7
• A Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7
• 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7
• A 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
• 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
• A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Ranking and English Language Proficiency: 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. 

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. 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 admission requirements and post-admission support

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.

Credit Granted

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit. Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit. Applicants seeking to transfer from the Master of Engaging Asia may be eligible for up to 72 units of credit.

Cognate Disciplines

Asian Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, Development Studies, Diplomacy, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, History, International Business, International Relations, Language Studies, Law, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Media Studies and Journalism, Pacific Studies, Politics and Public Policy, Security Studies, Sociology

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

This degree is suitable for those entering a profession where deep knowledge of Asia and the Pacific, advanced research and writing skills, and high levels of independent project management are required. Those who pursue the thesis option will have a pathway into a PhD.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a nuanced knowledge of the cultures, societies, politics, environments, and histories of Asian and Pacific regions.

2. Apply interdisciplinary methods and high-level critical analysis to conduct research on key issues within Asia and the Pacific.

3. Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills, individually and in groups, in appropriate languages.

4. Communicate findings in academic and applied contexts, justifying methods and approaches.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

In 2023 and 2024 the School of Culture, History & Language, in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific ('the School') may offer one award each year known as the Myint Zan Scholarship for the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies ('the Award').

The objective of the Award is to support two outstanding Master's students to build unique regional expertise in Asian and Pacific Students through the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies program.

Funding for this Award has been provided by Professor Myint Zan, a retired Burmese legal academic, ANU alumnus and committed donor to the ANU.