Program Requirements

The Master of Political Science (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

POLS8042 Quantitative Research for Political Science 

POLS8044 Qualitative Research in Politics 

POLS8058 Research Design in Political Science

A minimum 24 units from completion of the following Political Science courses:

POLS8019 Democracy and its Discontents

POLS8038 Comparative Political Institutions

POLS8039 Comparative Political Behaviour

POLS8043 State Formation and Contested Political Orders

POLS8051 Authoritarian Politics: Comparative Perspectives

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 - Statistics

STST - Security Studies

A maximum of 6 units from the completion of the following experiential course:

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A 

24 units from completion of:

THES8103 Thesis

Master Research

The master research requirement is met through the completion of the mandatory thesis - THES8103 - a 24 unit independent research project.

Master Research Training

The master research training requirement is met through the mandatory completion of 18 units of methods courses, where students are provided extensive guidance on undertaking master level research in appropriate and rigorous ways.

POLS8042 Quantitative Research for Political Science 

POLS8044 Qualitative Research in Politics 

POLS8058 Research Design in Political Science

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 6/7
• Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 6/7
• 48 units of courses in a postgraduate degree program with a GPA of 6/7

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.

Further information: Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in THES8103 Thesis in a specified Semester. Students who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor once they have completed the coursework for the degree, may be transferred to the Master of Political Science.

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 72 units of courses attempted in order to remain enrolled in the Master of Political Science (Advanced).

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 72 in the same teaching period in which the 72nd unit is attempted, exactly 72 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from courses in descending order of marks.

Students who do not have the required minimum average mark, or who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor once they have completed the coursework for the degree, may be transferred to the Master of Political Science.

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.

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.

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.

Credit Granted

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

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

   Research Strengths

   The master research requirement is met through the completion of the mandatory thesis - THES8103 - a 24 unit independent research project.

   Inherent Requirements

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