Australian National University (ANU)
3 years full-time
Explore international security, conflict, and strategic challenges in the Asia-Pacific region through rigorous academic study. This three-year degree prepares you for careers in diplomacy, defense, intelligence, and international organizations by developing analytical skills and policy expertise.
Applicants must meet minimum academic requirements including an ATAR of 85 or International Baccalaureate score of 33. Domestic applicants need completion of the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or equivalent, while international applicants must have completed recognized secondary or tertiary study with equivalent selection rank. All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Adjustment factors may be available for students facing difficult circumstances. Prior knowledge of international relations or security studies is not required.
The program comprises 144 units covering compulsory core courses in international security studies, including Introduction to International Security Studies, How Nations Fight, Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific, Why Nations Fight, Living with Giants (Australia's Security), and International Security in the 21st Century. Students must complete concepts and methods courses in quantitative or qualitative research, foreign policy analysis, or game theory. A minimum of 30 units come from Security, Language, and Area Studies majors and minors including languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, and others), regional studies (Asian, European, Middle Eastern, Pacific, Southeast Asian), and thematic issues (international relations, peace and conflict studies, criminology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, sociology, sustainable development). Students also complete transdisciplinary problem-solving courses, optional internship placements, and elective courses.
ANU ranks among the world's finest universities with nearly 100,000 alumni in political, business, government, and academic leadership positions globally. The university offers specialized expertise in Asia-Pacific security studies through its College of Asia and the Pacific, providing access to leading scholars and researchers in international security. ANU's strong connections with government agencies, international organizations, and policy institutions create exceptional career pathways for graduates in diplomacy, defense, and intelligence sectors.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in the Australian Government as diplomats in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, strategists in the Department of Defence, or security analysts in the Intelligence Community. The degree also prepares graduates for roles in international organizations such as the United Nations, aid and development organizations, journalism and media, and private sector positions in multinational corporations and non-government organizations. Recent graduates work with organizations including the Department of Defence, United Nations, Qantas, Google, Australian Federal Police, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
