Program Requirements

The Bachelor of International Security Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must consist of:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory course list:

STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies

STST1003 Coping with Crisis: The Practice of International Security

STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific

STST3002 Australia's Security in the Asian Century

Minimum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following concepts and methods course list:

HIST2110 Approaches to History

POLS2123 Peace and Conflict Studies

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis

WARS2001 Theories of War: An historical and global perspective

POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis

POLS3017 International Relations Theory

Minimum of 36 units from completion of courses from the following list of Security Studies courses:

Asia-Pacific Security

ASIA2060 Southeast Asian Security

ASIA2111 Indonesian Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2012 Chinese Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2014 Indian Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2016 US Foreign and Security Policy in Asia

INTR2018 Japanese Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2020 (In)Stability on the Korean Peninsula

INTR2024 The Politics of Nuclear Weapons

STST2020 Study tour: Southeast Asia's Security Choices

Global Security

MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security

HIST2240 Democracy and Dissent: Europe Since 1945

POLS2132 Current Issues in International Security

STST2124 Politics of Nuclear Weapons

Australian Security

STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands

STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World

Non-traditional Security

ASIA2093 Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

DIPL2000 Leadership and Diplomacy

INTR2047 Human Security: Conflict, Displacement and Peace Building

POLS3004 Emotions in International Politics

POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict

POLS3036 International Terrorism

History and Security after 1945

HIST2141 The Cold War: 1945-1989

STST2004 Special Topic in International Security

STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World

WARS2002 Vietnam Wars: 1941-1989

WARS2003 The Korean War

A maximum of 30 units from the completion of courses within the following Language, Security and Area Studies minors:

Language

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Chinese Language

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Japanese Language

Advanced Korean Language

Advanced Sanskrit Language

Advanced Spanish Studies

Arabic Language

Burmese Language

Chinese Language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Korean Language

Mongolian Language

Persian

Russian

Spanish

Tetum Language

Thai Language

Tibetan Language

Tok Pisin Language

Vietnamese Language

Area Studies and Methods

Asian Studies

Asia-Pacific International Relations

Contemporary Europe

Gender and Sexuality

International Communication

International Relations

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Northeast Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Philosophy

Political Science

Social Research Methods

Southeast Asian Studies

Sustainable Development

Security

Criminology

Historical International Security

Peace and Conflict Studies

Technology, Networks and Society

War Studies

A maximum of 6 units from the completion of courses from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses or the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship

ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship

ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship

LING2107 Advanced Academic English

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Minors

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

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 guarantee entry into 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.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:

• completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
• co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:

• previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:

• previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
• ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency 

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. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

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

From instability in the Middle East, to the rising occurrences of computer hacking or global warming and its impact on human populations, there's a whole range of global security challenges which face business, government and international organisations today. As a result, employers across industry have begun to seek out graduates who have the confidence to provide advice on these issues and how to minimise their impacts.

The Bachelor of International Security Studies gives you the practical skills and knowledge that will set you apart as a leader in this field and graduates from this degree can expect to find themselves working in a range of fields including business analysts, defence policy, foreign affairs, intelligence agencies, journalism and media. Recent graduates of security studies are currently working with organisations like the Attorney Generals Department, United Nations, Telstra, Boeing, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. More information can be found here.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and explain the key concepts, ideas and principal actors in international security.
2. Evaluate the major theoretical frameworks for understanding the complexities of contemporary international security challenges.
3. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the historical and contemporary dimensions of international, internal and transnational security, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
4. Analyse the key challenges facing Australian security and defence policy in the ‘Asian Century’.
5. Reflect critically on the principal factors that determine the security policies of Australia and the major Asia-Pacific powers
6. Employ communication and presentation skills (oral, written and electronic)
7. Demonstrate teamwork and interpersonal skills
8. Exhibit the ability to write for both academic and professional audience

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirement is currently not available for this program