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Overview

The Master of Strategy and Security is designed for postgraduate scholars, and foreign affairs, security and defence professionals who wish to gain a deeper and more advanced understanding of the factors shaping the global and Asia-Pacific security and strategic environments, and the complex policy challenges presented by the new security … For more content click the Read More button below.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and an integrated understanding of national and military strategy and the regional and global security environment, and be able to apply this understanding to practical policy problems in a contemporary setting.
  • Scholars
  • Global Citizens
  • Leaders
  • Professionals
2.
Analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, demonstrating evidence-based logic and reasoning in the context of understanding strategy and security.
  • Leaders
  • Global Citizens
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
3.
Communicate effectively and confidently in written, oral, and technological forms appropriate to academic and policy discourse on security matters.
  • Leaders
  • Global Citizens
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
4.
Display awareness of a range of social, ethical, environmental, intercultural, and global issues, and responsibilities related to global, regional, national and human securities.
  • 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.

1. Core courses - 18 UOC
2. Prescribed elective courses - 30 UOC

Core Courses

Students must take 18 UOC of the following courses.

ZHSS8403
6 UOC
Global Security
ZHSS8409
6 UOC
Asia-Pacific Security: The Dynamics of Change
ZHSS8410
6 UOC
Australian Defence Policy: Concepts and Challenges
ZHSS8435
6 UOC
Contemporary Strategy
ZHSS8440
6 UOC
Delinquent Organisations in World Politics
ZHSS8460
6 UOC
Power and Australian Government Policy

Prescribed Electives

Students can take up to a maximum of 30 UOC of courses, in the list below, from the following areas; Defence and Strategic Policy, Global and Regional Security, International Dynamics and Cultural Dynamics.

Students may, with the approval of the Postgraduate Coordinator, take up to two courses (12 UOC) from other courses offered in the Arts, Business or related coursework programs.

ZHSS8102
6 UOC
American Empire
ZHSS8103
6 UOC
Nearest Neighbours: Asia-Pacific Literature, Culture and Communication
ZHSS8125
6 UOC
Strategic Communication
ZHSS8204
6 UOC
Modern Naval History and Strategy
ZHSS8210
6 UOC
Genocide: Perception and Intervention
ZHSS8217
6 UOC
Amphibious Warfare
ZHSS8221
6 UOC
The Development of the Art of War: A Survey
ZHSS8227
6 UOC
Civil Wars: Societies in Conflict
ZHSS8404
6 UOC
Legal and Moral Problems of International Violence
ZHSS8407
6 UOC
Global Governance in an Age of Globalisation
ZHSS8417
6 UOC
Air Power in the 21st Century: Strategic Issues
ZHSS8430
6 UOC
China's Security Policy and Military Modernisation
ZHSS8431
6 UOC
Comparative Defence Planning
ZHSS8437
6 UOC
Global Justice and World Politics
ZHSS8438
6 UOC
The Justice of War: States, Self-Defence & Force
ZHSS8439
6 UOC
Reforming Repressive Regimes
ZHSS8441
6 UOC
Cyber-Security and World Politics
ZHSS8442
6 UOC
Conflict Transformation
ZHSS8452
6 UOC
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Global Security
ZHSS8453
6 UOC
Culture and Conflict
ZHSS8459
6 UOC
Special Operations: Theory and Strategic Utility
ZHSS8463
6 UOC
The Politics of International Law
ZPEM8206
6 UOC
Applications in Geographic Information Analysis

Research Project

Students can take up to a maximum of 12 UOC of the following courses.

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 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. This project may be undertaken in a single session or as a full year course.

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