Strategic Studies

The Strategic and Defence Studies Centre combines the theoretical and practical expertise of leading academics and policy-makers to deliver Australia's foremost strategic studies program.

Develop the analytical frameworks you need to tackle the regional and global strategic and security challenges of your career, and graduate a leader in your field.

Career Options

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. have specialised knowledge and cognitive skills in strategic and defence studies;
2. possess an integrated understanding of the conduct of strategy, military operations, and its relationship to policy;
3. be capable of undertaking 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. possess the technical skills needed to access the academic literature in the fields of study associated with strategic and defence studies;
5. research and apply established theories and concepts and exercise expert judgement in military, defence or policy contexts;
6. apply strategic concepts and knowledge to practical problems in a contemporary setting; 
7. have demonstrated high levels of written and oral communication in the field of strategic and defence studies. 

Cognate disciplines

Politics, political science, international relations, history, sociology, economics, public policy, public administration, strategic studies, social science

The Master of Strategic Studies requires the completion of 96 units which must consist of:

24 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

STST8001 Strategic Studies

STST8002 Grand Strategies in the Asia-Pacific

72 units from completion of courses from the following list:

INTR8036 World Politics

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

MEAS8112 Dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

MEAS8113 The Gulf Strategic Environment

NSPO8010 Civil-Military Relations

NSPO8013 Disease, Security and Biological Weapons

NSPO8014 Ethics and Technologies of War

STST8004 Australian Strategic and Defence Policy

STST8013 China's Defence and Strategic Challenges

STST8017 Special Topics in Strategic Studies

STST8021 Intelligence and Security

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century

STST8027 Insurgency & Counterinsurgency in an Age of Terror

STST8032 Why and How We Fight: Understanding War and Conflict

STST8033 Contemporary Issues in Australian Defence Policy

STST8051 Great and Powerful Friends: Strategic alliances and Australian security

STST8052 Strategy in Action: The Development of the Operational Art

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a 60% average.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

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.