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Overview

The Master of War Studies is an interdisciplinary study program focused on war and its effects. The program is built around a central core of subjects in Military History with additional options addressing topics in strategy, international relations, security and literature. The program is of strong professional relevance to members … For more content click the Read More button below.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate understanding of a range of discipline-specific emerging issues/debates and their implications for the study of armed conflict.
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
  • Leaders
  • Global Citizens
2.
Engage in research and enquiry, and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources.
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
3.
Collect, analyse and evaluate historical, empirical and other social scientific data relevant to the causes, conduct and resolution of war and conflict.
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
4.
Demonstrate high level skills in literacy and the ability to communicate accurately and confidently.
  • Leaders
  • Global Citizens
5.
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of a range of communication technologies as well as research databases and information platforms.
  • Scholars
  • Global Citizens
  • Leaders
  • Professionals
6.
Display knowledge (and/or mastery) of a range of social, ethical and global perspectives relevant to the study of conflict and war.
  • Leaders
  • Global Citizens
  • Scholars
  • Professionals

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure
48 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 48 UOC as a standalone program.

Students undertaking the Master of War Studies are required to complete eight courses (48 UOC), with at least four courses (24 UOC) taken from those in the Core Course list. The core courses will normally be offered annually or at least every two years; the further options will be offered on an opportunity basis.

Core Courses

Students must take at least 24 UOC, up to a maximum of 48 UOC of the following courses.

ZHSS8204
6 UOC
Modern Naval History and Strategy
ZHSS8220
6 UOC
Fighting the Second World War
ZHSS8221
6 UOC
The Development of the Art of War: A Survey
ZHSS8223
6 UOC
The First World War 1914-1919
ZHSS8224
6 UOC
Small Wars of Empire: Colonial Warfare from 1700
ZHSS8225
6 UOC
Australian Military History: An Introduction
ZHSS8217
6 UOC
Amphibious Warfare
ZHSS8226
6 UOC
The Vietnam Wars: A Thirty Year Conflict

Prescribed Electives

Students can take up to a maximum of 24 UOC of the following courses.

ZHSS8102
6 UOC
American Empire
ZHSS8106
6 UOC
War and Memory
ZHSS8125
6 UOC
Strategic Communication
ZHSS8210
6 UOC
Genocide: Perception and Intervention
ZHSS8218
6 UOC
Hegemony: Global Power in Historical Perspective
ZHSS8227
6 UOC
Civil Wars: Societies in Conflict
ZHSS8230
6 UOC
Russian Military History
ZHSS8231
6 UOC
The History of Special Operations
ZHSS8232
6 UOC
History of Post-colonial Warfare in Africa: An Introduction
ZHSS8234
6 UOC
Occasional Elective: History II
ZHSS8404
6 UOC
Legal and Moral Problems of International Violence
ZHSS8438
6 UOC
The Justice of War: States, Self-Defence & Force
ZHSS8452
6 UOC
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Global Security
ZHSS8456
6 UOC
Australia and Cyber War
ZHSS8459
6 UOC
Special Operations: Theory and Strategic Utility
ZHSS8461
6 UOC
GRIM Threats (Guerrilla, Revolutionary, Insurgent and Militia) and Irregular Warfare
ZHSS8417
6 UOC
Air Power in the 21st Century: Strategic Issues
ZHSS8435
6 UOC
Contemporary Strategy

Research Project

The option of undertaking a research project is available to students who attain a high credit average or better in courses worth 24 UOC and is subject to the approval of the Head of School. The research project (12 UOC) is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher level research qualification.

ZHSS8212
12 UOC
Research Project: History Single Session
ZHSS8215
6 UOC
Research Project: History
ZHSS8400
12 UOC
Research Project: IPS Single Session
ZHSS8401
6 UOC
Research Project International and Political Studies - Full Year

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):
Domestic Students
International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Pathways

Post Graduate

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1201 - English
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1203 - Southeast Asian Social Inquiry
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1241 - History
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1321 - International & Pol. Studies
Master of Philosophy - MPhil2225 - Humanities & Social Sciences
Master of Arts - MA2406 - Master of Arts (Research)

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence
Current Students Award with Excellence
For more information, please visit the link above.
The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)
International Students

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions