Bachelor of International Security Studies
Australian National University
About
Do you see yourself shaping Australia's foreign policy decisions?
Or working with elite international organisations like the United Nations or our top spy agencies?
The Bachelor of International Security Studies can help you make your dream career a reality.When you study the Bachelor of International Security Studies you will delve deeply into the contemporary security threats facing nations, international organisations and businesses around the world – including the threat of military power, civil war, terrorism, cybercrime, environmental degradation and food security to name just a few.
Read more about this degree on our website.
Structure
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 Concepts of Security 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 Nuclear Politics in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities
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
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
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
ASIA3024 Editor’s practicum: online public engagement, academic blogging and digital disruption
ESEN1101 Essential University English
LING2107 Advanced Academic English
HIST1250 Big History
48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Hurdle Requirements
n/a
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
Year 1 - 48 units
Code | Name | Units |
---|---|---|
STST1001 | Introduction to International Security Studies | 6 units |
1000-level course from the Language, Security and Area Studies minor list | ||
1000-level Elective | ||
1000-level Elective | ||
STST1003 | Coping with Crisis: The Practice of International Security | 6 units |
1000-level course from the Language, Security and Area Studies minor list | ||
Course toward completion of 36 unit requirement of Security Studies courses | ||
Elective |
Year 2 - 48 units
Code | Name | Units |
---|---|---|
STST2001 | Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific | 6 units |
Course toward completion of a minor listed in the Language, Security and Area Studies minors | ||
Course toward completion of 36 unit requirement of Security Studies courses | ||
Elective | ||
Concepts and methods course | ||
Course toward completion of a minor listed in the Language, Security and Area Studies minors | ||
Course toward completion of 36 unit requirement of Security Studies courses | ||
Elective |
Year 3 - 48 units
Code | Name | Units |
---|---|---|
STST3002 | Australia's Security in the Asian Century | 6 units |
Course toward completion of a minor listed in the Language, Security and Area Studies minors | ||
Course toward completion of 36 unit requirement of Security Studies courses | ||
Elective | ||
Course toward completion of 36 unit requirement of Security Studies courses | ||
Course toward completion of 36 unit requirement of Security Studies courses | ||
Elective | ||
Elective |
Entry requirements
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 automatically guarantee entry.
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.
Domestic applicants
? School leavers will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
• the co-curricular or service requirement, and
• any program specific requirements that are listed below.
? Non school leavers:
a) will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
b) Non school leavers who:
• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or
• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or
• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,
will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are 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.
Adjustment Factors
ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
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.
Learning outcomes
- Identify and explain the key concepts, ideas and principal actors in international security.
- Evaluate the major theoretical frameworks for understanding the complexities of contemporary international security challenges.
- • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the historical and contemporary dimensions of international, internal and transnational security, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Analyse the key challenges facing Australian security and defence policy in the ‘Asian Century’.
- Reflect critically on the principal factors that determine the security policies of Australia and the major Asia-Pacific powers
- Employ communication and presentation skills (oral, written and electronic)
- Demonstrate teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Exhibit the ability to write for both academic and professional audience
Institution
