Program Requirements

The Masters of Strategic Studies (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units which must consist of:

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

STST8001 Strategic Studies 

STST8010 Strategic Concepts and Asia Pacific Conflict

STST8052 The Resort to Force: Understanding Military Power

A minimum of 18 units from the following strategic studies courses:

STST8004 Australian Strategic and Defence Policy

STST8013 China’s Defence and Strategic Challenges

STST8021 Intelligence and Security

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century 

STST8053 Alliances in Asia: Theory, History and Practice

STST8054 Building a Defence force: Defence Force Structure, Planning and Acquisition

STST8056 Strategy and Southeast Asia: Defence and Security Dynamics

STST8066 Strategy, Statecraft and Diplomacy for the 21st Century

STST8068 Asian Strategy and Security: History, Theory and Practice

A maximum of 36 units from the following strategy and security thematic course lists:

Strategy, and Security in Asia

INTR8040 Ethnicity and Conflict in the Asia-Pacific

INTR8067 U.S. Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific

LAWS8013 Nuclear Weapons Law

LAWS8178 International Law and the Use of Force

LAWS8253 Law of the Sea

LAWS8409 Strategic Issues in the Law of Armed Conflict

NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

War Studies, Conflict and Global Security

INTR8053 Ethics of Peace and War

LAWS8035 Cyber Warfare Law

LAWS8178 International Law and the Use of Force

LAWS8314 Post Conflict Situations and International Law

LAWS8401 The Law of Weaponry and Targeting

MEAS8111 Drivers of Violent Extremism: The Local and the Global in the Middle East

MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

MEAS8113 The Gulf Strategic Environment

WARS6001 Study Tour: Walking the Ground - War Studies in the Field

National Security and Policymaking

DIPL8044 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

LAWS8035 Cyber Warfare Law

LAWS8315 Maritime Security Law

NSPO8006 National Security Policymaking

NSPO8009 Cyber and Emerging Technologies in National Security

NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management 

NSPO8028 History and Policymaking

NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

NSPO8033 Climate, the Environment and National Security

NSPO8036 Australian National Security Law: Introduction for Policymakers

Special topics (available only to ASEAN scholar program participants)

STST8057 Defence Leadership in ASEAN A

STST8058 Defence Leadership in ASEAN B

A maximum of 6 units from the following experiential courses:

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A

STST8059 Strategic Studies Internship

STST8064 Strategic Studies Experience (0 units)

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity

VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World

VCPG6004 Creating Impact

24 units from the completion of courses from the following compulsory research component:

STST8071 Thesis – full-time

STST8072 Thesis – part-time

18 units from the following compulsory courses:

STST8001 Strategic Studies

STST8010 Strategic Studies Concepts and Asia Pacific Conflict

STST8052 The Resort to Force: Understanding Military Power

A minimum of 18 units from the following strategic studies courses:

STST8002 The New Power Politics of Asia

STST8004 Australian Strategic and Defence Policy

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century 

STST8054 Building a Defence Force: Defence force structure planning and acquisition

STST8066 Strategic diplomacy in the 21st Century: rethinking strategy and statecraft

STST8068 Asian Strategy and Security: History, Theory and Practice

A maximum of 36 units from the following security courses:

The courses are listed in broad thematic areas for ease of reading and to assist students to build a thematic program of study. Some courses may be on more than one list. Students may freely pick courses from the below listings, up to their required number of units for completion of the program.

Strategy, and Security in Asia

INTR8040 Ethnicity and Conflict in the Asia and the Pacific

INTR8067 U.S. Foreign and Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific

LAWS8013 Nuclear Weapons Law

LAWS8178 International Law and Use of Force

LAWS8253 Law of the Sea

LAWS8409 Strategic Issues in the Law of Armed Conflict

NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

STST8013 China’s Defence and Strategic Challenges

STST8021 Intelligence and Security 

STST8053 Alliances in Asia: theory, history and practice

STST8056 Strategy in Southeast Asia: Defence and Security Dynamics

War Studies, Conflict and Global Security

INTR8053 Ethics of Peace and War 

LAWS8035 Cyber Warfare Law

LAWS8178 International Law and Use of Force

LAWS8314 Post Conflict Situations and International Law

LAWS8401 The Law of Weaponry and Targeting

MEAS8111 Islam, The West and International Terrorism

MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

MEAS8113 The Gulf Strategic Environment

NSPO8028 History for Policymakers 

STST8027 Insurgency and counterinsurgency in Modern Warfare

WARS6001 Walking the Ground: War Studies in the Field

National Security and Policymaking

DIPL8044 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

LAWS8035 Cyber Warfare Law

LAWS8315 Marine Security Law

NSPO8006 National Security Policy Making

NSPO8009 Cyber and Emerging Technologies in National Security

NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management 

NSPO8028 History for Policymakers 

NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

NSPO8033 Climate, the Environment and national security

NSPO8036 Australian National Security Law: An introduction for policymakers

STST8021 Intelligence and Security

STST8066 Strategy, Statecraft and Diplomacy for the 21st Century

Special topics

STST8017 Special topics in Strategic Studies 

STST8057 Defence Leadership in ASEAN A

STST8058 Defence leadership in ASEAN B

A maximum of 6 units from the following experiential courses:

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A (Graduate)

STST8059 Strategic Studies Internship 

STST8064 Strategic Studies Experience (0 units)

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity

VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World

24 units from the completion of courses from the following compulsory research component:

STST8071 Thesis – full-time

STST8072 Thesis – part-time

Master Research

To satisfy the research requirements in this program, all students are required to complete a research-based project in STST8010, Strategic Concepts and Asia Pacific Conflict that is worth 50 percent of the assessment. STST8052, The Resort to Force has been updated (July 2023) to also require a 50 per cent research component, making up the requirement for 12 units of courses with 50 per cent research assessment components.

This advanced degree incorporates 24 units of thesis courses that will lead to the production of a 15,000 word research thesis.

Master Research Training

To satisfy the research training requirements of this program, all students are required to complete a research training through completing STST8010, Strategic Concepts and Asia Pacific Conflict which discusses required approaches to the study of strategy. STST8052, The Resort to Force, builds upon this with a a further examination of approaches to studying and appraising force in global affairs. Multiple courses require exemplifying research training skills through essay plans, literature reviews and or/research essays.

This advanced degree incorporates 24 units of thesis courses that will lead to the production of a 15,000 word research thesis.

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a GPA 6/7
• Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 5/7
• 48 units of courses in a postgraduate degree program with a GPA of 5/7

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.

Progression Requirements: 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 Strategic Studies (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 must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in STST8071 or STST8072 Thesis courses in a specified Semester. 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 Strategic Studies.

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.

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.

Study with the best. 

Study Strategic Studies at ANU with internationally recognised experts in Australian strategic policy, Asia-Pacific security and global strategic issues.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and cognitive skills in strategic and defence studies;
2. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of the conduct of strategy, military operations, and its relationship to policy;
3. Undertake strategic and policy analysis and be able to analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information relating to the conduct of strategy and military operations;
4. Apply the technical skills needed to access the academic literature in the fields of study associated with strategic and defence studies;
5. Demonstrate high levels of independent research and apply established theories and concepts and exercise expert judgement in military, defence or policy contexts as relevant to both Australian and international settings;
6. Apply strategic concepts and knowledge to practical, contemporary problems using case studies from a range of global environments and circumstances;
7. Demonstrate high levels of written and oral communication in the field of strategic and defence studies;
8. Design and undertake a substantial research-based project in a way that makes a contribution to knowledge in the field of strategic and defence studies. 

Research Strengths

To satisfy the research requirements in this program, all students are required to complete a research-based project in STST8010, Strategic Concepts and Asia Pacific Conflict that is worth 50 percent of the assessment. STST8052, The Resort to Force has been updated (July 2023) to also require a 50 per cent research component, making up the requirement for 12 units of courses with 50 per cent research assessment components.

This advanced degree incorporates 24 units of thesis courses that will lead to the production of a 15,000 word research thesis.