Master of Strategy & Security

Understanding Global Security Challenges

The range and complexity of security challenges facing the world has never been greater. Climate change, cyber attack and global pandemics threaten the stability of regions all over the globe. Understanding and managing these critical and fluid situations is a matter of the highest priority, both in Australia and abroad, with significant implications for foreign policy and international development.  

The Master of Strategy and Security at UNSW Canberra is a postgraduate program offered by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. This course is designed for students 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 agenda.  

You’ll learn the techniques required to manage crises, deal with consequences and achieve resolution and gain transferrable knowledge and skills for a variety of careers including military, security, and risk analysis.  

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You can find more information on this degree on the UNSW Handbook.

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Students undertaking the Master of Strategy and Security are required to take 8 courses (48 UOC). At least 24 UOC must be selected from the list of core courses, with the remaining courses selected in any combination from the elective courses. 

The key topics will normally be offered annually or at least every two years; the further options will be offered on an opportunity basis. 

Students who obtain at least a Distinction average in the four core courses may take a 12 UOC research thesis, ZHSS8401 Research Thesis A 6 UOC and ZHSS8402 Research Thesis B 6 UOC. You must enrol in both units to fulfil the requirements. You may enrol in the two units concurrently to do the thesis in a single semester, or consecutively to complete it over two semesters. Enrolment is subject to approval by the Postgraduate Coordinator.

ZHSS8401 - Research Thesis A

ZHSS8402 - Research Thesis B

Students must select a minimum of 4 courses (24 UOC):

Core Courses Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Global Security Distance Mode Not Offered
Asia-Pacific Security: The Dynamics of Change Not Offered Not Offered
Australian Defence Policy: Concepts and Challenges Not Offered Distance Mode
Contemporary Strategy Not Offered Distance Mode
Power and Australian Government Policy Not Offered Not Offered
The Politics of International Law Distance Mode Not Offered

 Students must select a maximum of 4 courses (24 UOC) of elective or additional core courses: 

Elective Courses Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
American Empire Not Offered Distance Mode
Strategic Communication Distance Mode Not Offered
Modern Naval History and Strategy Distance Mode Not Offered
Genocide: Perception and Intervention Not Offered Not Offered
The Development of the Art of War: A Survey Distance Mode Not Offered
Civil Wars: Societies in Conflict Not Offered Not Offered
The Cold War Not Offered Not Offered
ZHSS8412 International Peacekeeping Operations Not Offered Distance Mode
Air Power in the 21st Century: Strategic Issues Not Offered Not Offered
China's Security Policy and Military Modernisation Distance Mode Not Offered
Global Justice and World Politics Not Offered Not Offered
Cyber-Security and World Politics Distance Mode Not Offered
Conflict Transformation Distance Mode Not Offered
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Global Security Not Offered Not Offered
Culture and Conflict Not Offered Not Offered
Cyber Policy in China Distance Mode Not Offered
Special Operations: Theory and Strategic Utility Distance Mode Not Offered
GRIM Threats Not Offered Not Offered
Ethics in Special Operations and Irregular Warfare Not Offered Not Offered
Cyberspace, National Security and Law Not Offered Not Offered
Military Game Changers in 21st Century Warfare Not Offered Not Offered
Space Cooperation, Conflict and Competition Not Offered Distance Mode

Please refer to the UNSW Handbook for the Entry Requirements.