Program Requirements

The Masters of Political Science requires completion of 72 units which must consist of:

A minimum of 24 units from completion of the following core courses:

POLS8019 Democracy and its Discontents

POLS8038 Comparative Political Institutions 

POLS8039 Comparative Political Behaviour 

POLS8043 Violence and Political Order 

POLS8051 Authoritarian Politics: Comparative Perspectives

POLS8052 Political Economy of Development

POLS8032 Globalisation: the Interaction of Economics and Politics

A minimum of 12 units from completion of the following methods courses:

POLS8058 Research Design in Political Science

POLS8042 Quantitative Research for Political Science 

POLS8048 Intermediate Quantitative Research in Politics 

POLS8044 Qualitative Research in Politics

A minimum of 12 units from completion of 8000-level courses with the following subject areas:

POGO - Public Policy

POLS - Comparative and Australian Politics

A maximum of 24 units from completion of 8000-level courses with the following subject areas:

ASIA - Asian Studies

INTR - International Relations 

MEAS - Mid Eastern & Central Asian Studies

PASI - Pacific Studies

SOCR - Social Research

STAT - Research Methods

STST - Security Studies

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

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A

VCPG6001 Unraveling Complexity

VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World 

VCPG6004 Creating Impact 

Hurdle Requirements

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 degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

·        Bachelor degree 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 degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate 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

·        Graduate Records Examination (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.

Applications for course credit

Applicants who have completed a degree in a cognate discipline from a recognised university may be eligible to receive coursework credit towards this degree, in line with the ANU Recognition of prior and external learning policy

Cognate Disciplines

International relations and diplomacy; public policy and administration; strategic and security studies; political science; economics

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.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate key theories in political science;

2. Interpret and utilize relevant political science methods;

3. Critically analyse evidence-based research and policy across a range of political issues;

4. Use theories and methods from political science to explain contemporary political affairs in Australia, Asia, and globally;

5. Conduct high-level research to undertake self-directed study in political science;

6. Communicate research findings at a level appropriate for academic and policy audiences.