Bachelor of Security Studies

The Bachelor of Security Studies has been designed to meet the needs of public and private sector employers in the security field. It is ideal for prospective students who want to enter the workforce as a security analyst in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.

The core content of the program is designed to give graduates a strong knowledge and skill base to make them attractive candidates for government graduate programs, entry into commercial enterprises with large operations, private consultancies, non-governmental organisations, statute authorities or any organisation which regularly deals with actors in the security field.

Higher education via OUA

• 4 OUA Undergraduate subjects at pass level from any OUA provider; OR
• 2 OUA Undergraduate subjects at credit grade level from any OUA provider; OR

Higher education

Detailed information regarding Macquarie Admissions can be found here:
http://www.mq.edu.au/study/find-a-course/undergraduate/macquarie-entry

Secondary education

A competitive ATAR of 75, a Selection Rank of 75 or equivalent  OP of 12.

English Proficiency Requirements

Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.

All applicants for undergraduate coursework studies at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.

You may satisfy the English language requirements if you have completed:

• senior secondary studies equivalent to the NSW HSC
• one year of Australian or comparable tertiary study in a country of qualification

For more information see English Language Requirements.

Special requirements

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University and OUA offer a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others.

 All unit materials are delivered fully online. Students with special needs can apply for alternative assessment arrangements. Contact us at https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-admin-services

If you have completed prior study at Diploma level or higher, you may be eligible for credit towards your Bachelor at Macquarie which can reduce the duration of your program.

For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.

The program focuses on security, risks and policy responses in today’s society. It includes risk analysis, strategic planning, intelligence, emergency response and national resilience. The curriculum has been designed in consultation with major industry stakeholders from the public and private sectors. It combines academic conceptual skills with vocational skills in security analysis. Core subjects focus on security concepts and issues and applying analytical tools to contemporary policy challenges.

The Bachelor of Security Studies is structured around three key themes: the contemporary security environment, the range of options available to governments and businesses to manage and respond to security challenges, and emerging and ongoing challenges to security. The program emphasises both analytical skills and creativity in responding to new and complex challenges.

Being a Macquarie student means you aren’t restricted to picking subjects from just one field. You’re encouraged to extend your educational scope. Students are required to complete a People and Planet subject to meet the requirement of their Macquarie degree. This holistic approach to education encourages you to take subjects out of interest and curiosity. In some cases these areas of study digress from your career path, but doing these subjects make things interesting. We provide a list of People and Planet subjects as a guide, which makes it easy for every student to choose outside of their required study plan. People subjects are specifically designed to focus on the social world and develop socio-cultural literacy. While Planet subjects are more focused on developing scientific literacy and an understanding of the physical world.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students are required to complete 24 subjects as prescribed below.

CORE ZONE

Essential subjects

• PHIX1037 - Critical Thinking
• PICX1010 - Introduction to Security Studies
• PICX1011 - New Security Challenges
• PICX1012 - Strategy and Security in the Indo-Pacific
• PICX1014 - International Security in the 20^th Century
• PICX2001 - Cyber Crime
• PICX2010 - Intelligence and Counter Intelligence
• PICX2012 - Modern Warfare
• PICX2013 - Crisis Management and Disaster Relief
• PICX2015 - Terrorism in the 21^st Century
• PICX3011 - Cyber Security in Practice
• PICX3012 - Intelligence Policy
• PICX3013 - Strategies of Political Violence and Counter Terrorism
• PICX3014 - Australian National Security
• PICX3015 - Security Policy Analysis: Current and Emerging Issues

Capstone Subject: 

• PICX3020 - Ethical Practice in Security Studies

FLEXIBLE ZONE

8 Elective subjects

You can use your flexible zone to enrol in any subject for which you meet the pre-requisites.

Students must complete no more than 100 credit points (10 subjects) at 1000 level.

TOTAL SUBJECTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM: 24

Award Requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects of study, comprised of

• 16 core subjects
• 8 electives

The degree will normally be of three years duration for full-time students, but part-time students may take longer.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Students must complete can complete 80 credit points (8 subjects) from any subject for which they meet the prerequisites.

Students are eligible to register for this degree after successfully completing at least 2 subjects from the degree with a credit average, or passing four subjects from the degree. Registration is free for all students.

Please be advised that as from Session 1, 2020,  Commonwealth Supported Place (CS) and HECS are not available for this degree for new students. However, subject to your eligibility, other HELP loans may be available. Students who have already been admitted into a Commonwealth Supported Place will not be affected by this change.

Once registered you will receive the degree structure that you must follow to achieve the qualification.

Please contact us at https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-admin-services for further enquiries.

Note:

Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

All students registering in the Bachelor of Security Studies must complete the structure at the time of registration. Retired units that have been completed will be counted towards the degree. Please contact Macquarie University for further assistance at https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-admin-services.

Changes in 2020

From 2020 the Macquarie unit codes have changed. All units previously studied under the old unit code will be recognised as equivalent.

Students who have been admitted into a degree program prior to 2020 will follow the degree structure in place at the time/year of their degree registration with Macquarie University. Please refer to the study plans of the year you have been admitted into the degree.

All subjects previously studied under the old subject code will be recognised as equivalent. The current 4 digit subject codes will replace the old subject codes.

Program Structures

• 2017
• 2018
• 2019