Master of Strategic Studies

at Australian National University

Program Structure
 

The Masters of Strategic Studies requires completion of 72 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:
 

• 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 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

• NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

• STST8013 China’s Defence and Strategic Challenges

• STST8021 Intelligence and Security

• STST8053 Alliances in Asia: Theory, History and Practice

• STST8055 Making Grand Strategy

• STST8056 Strategy and Southeast Asia: Defence and Security Dynamics

 

War Studies, Conflict and Global Security
 

• INTR8053 Ethics of Peace and War

• 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

• WARS6001 Walking the Ground: War Studies in the Field

 

National Security and Policymaking
 

• DIPL8044 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

• NSPO8009 Cyber and Emerging Technologies in National Security

• NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management 

• NSPO8028 History for Security Policymakers 

• NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

• NSPO8033 Climate, the Environment and National Security

• NSPO8036 Australian National Security Law: Introduction for Policymakers

• STST8021 Intelligence and Security

• STST8066 Strategic Diplomacy in the 21st Century: Rethinking Strategy and Statecraft

 

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

• VCPG6004 Creating Impact

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 or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

• Bachelor 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 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.

 

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.

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.

 

Annual indicative fee for international students

$48,802