Program Requirements

The Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Security and Safeguards requires completion of 24 units from the following course lists, of which:

18 units must come from completion of the following compulsory courses:

REGN8026 Nuclear Safeguards Regulation: Frameworks, institutions, and standards

REGN8027 Nuclear Safeguards Practice

PHYS8201 Fundamentals of Nuclear Science

A maximum of 6 units may come from completion of the following electives:

REGN8024 Regulating Nuclear Capabilities 

REGN8014 Contemporary Issues in Technology Governance

REGN8050 The Policy and Practice of Regulation 

LAWS8316 International Nuclear Energy Law 

PHYS8202 Reactor Science 

PHYS8204 Fundamentals of Nuclear Radiation 

PHYS8205 Nuclear Fuel Cycle 

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4/7.
All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students

Alternate Admin Requirements

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4/7, or

A Bachelor degree with honours or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4/7, or

A completed Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters or PhD degree with a minimum GPA of 4/7 , or

24 units of completed postgraduate courses with a minimum GPA of 4/7, or

5 full-time equivalent years of professional experience at ANSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

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 Coursework Award Rules.

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

Corporations providing nuclear technology services to government, including defence applications; Australian Commonwealth and State governments; Australian and international scientific research organisations; regional and international agencies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the international legal frameworks and institutions that regulate nuclear security and safeguards.
2. Explain the principles of nuclear physics relevant to regulating nuclear technology and ensuring safeguards standards are met, including in relation to new technologies.
3. Understand the role and regulatory techniques of nuclear safeguards oversight, including inspection and audit.
4. Analyse the role of international and domestic regulators in securing and safeguarding nuclear materials and technologies in Australia from diverse disciplinary perspectives.
5. Communicate regulatory issues arising from the implementation of nuclear safeguards in Australia to specialist and non-specialist audiences in government, industry and the public.

Other Requirements

Further Information

Students with prior knowledge in nuclear physics may apply for an exemption from PHYS8201 Nuclear Fundamentals. If a student is exempt from this course, another PHYS coded course from the program orders must be taken instead.

Mathematics - assumed knowledge

• Background knowledge equivalent to high-school maths study is recommended but not essential.
• Prospective students may wish to take a Mathematics diagnostic test to ascertain their current level of Mathematics. A Maths Diagnostic Test is available at https://maths.anu.edu.au/study/choosing-your-first-year-first-semester-mathematics-course but prospective students may elect to use tests offered by other providers.
•  Prospective students who do not have the recommended background knowledge in high-school maths may wish to enrol in suitable preparatory courses prior to commencing the Graduate Certificate program. Information on the Maths Bridging Courses offered by ANU is available at https://maths.anu.edu.au/study/bridging-course . Prospective students may also wish to undertake bridging courses by other providers.

Mode of delivery:

This Graduate Certificate can be completed in person or off campus, although if off-campus some travel will be required to participate in lab sessions and tours for PHYS8201 Nuclear Fundamentals and REGN8027 Nuclear Safeguards Practice.

Workload:

• This program can be completed full-time with Semester 1 commencement (domestic and international students )
• This program cannot be completed full-time with Winter Session or Semester 2 commencement (domestic only).

International students seeking admission to this program can apply for Semester 1 intake only and enrol in courses scheduled in Semester 1 or Autumn session to achieve a full-time study load.

Applicants should note that courses listed in the program requirements include Summer and Winter Session courses. When applying for admission, please ensure the correct admit term is selected.

General program information:

This program is a standalone qualification but can also be used as pathway to further postgraduate study. For detailed information on potential destination Masters programs offered by the Australian National University please check the Programs and Courses catalogue or, for quick links to programs offered by the College of Science visit https://science.anu.edu.au/study/masters and College of Asia and Pacific: https://regnet.anu.edu.au/school-regulation-and-global-governance/postgraduate-offerings

GC Nuclear Security and Safeguards - pathway to Masters

Students using this program as a pathway to a destination Masters program are encouraged to seek academic advice from the relevant College's Student Services Office prior to finalising their application for admission, or at any time during the program.

Pathway 1: Direct application to the destination Masters program upon completion of the Graduate Certificate

Students can apply to progress to a destination Masters degree if they satisfy the following conditions:

• They are about to complete or have completed the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Security and Safeguards.
• They are on track to satisfy the admission requirements for the intended Master program including all GPA and cognate requirements

Note:

• Student should re-apply for admission to ANU through the relevant application portal.
• Students may be eligible to receive up to 24 units of credit from the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Security and Safeguards towards the destination Masters degree. This will depend on the program requirements of the destination Masters program and a case-by-case assessment by the program convener. Students should discuss credit with the convener of the destination Master degree when making enrolment choices for the Graduate Certificate.

Pathway 2: Degree transfer from the Graduate Certificate before completion of the Graduate Certificate

Students also have the option of applying for degree transfer into the destination Master program if they satisfy the following conditions:

• The overall GPA requirements for admission to the destination Masters degree are satisfied from a previous qualification, and
• The cognate requirements are satisfied, including any GPA requirements, and
• Any other requirements listed in the admissions requirements of the destination Master degree are also satisfied.

Note:

• Students may be eligible for credit for courses completed in the Graduate Certificate. This will depend on the program requirements of the destination Masters program and a case-by-case assessment by the program convener. Students should discuss credit with the convener of the destination Masters degree when making enrolment choices for the Graduate Certificate.
• Students that progress to Masters through degree transfer will not be awarded nor receive a testamur for the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Security and Safeguards. They will be invited to attend a conferral of award ceremony upon successful completion of their Masters degree and will receive a testamur for this qualification.

Credit for courses completed in the Graduate Certificate

The amount of credit awarded will depend on an assessment of prior study, relevant to the destination Masters degree and program orders of the destination Masters degree. This is done on a case-by-case basis by the program convener. Any credit applied will reduce the overall duration of the destination Masters program by an equivalent number of units.