Master of Public Policy: Global Development Policy Specialisation

Upon successful completion of the study, you should be able to:

1. Develop expertise in major theoretical frameworks for analysing the strategic environment, and the ways in which foreign and defence policies respond to changes in this environment;
2. Become expert in the foreign and defence policies of major powers in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, and how they interact;
3. Identify the major organisations and institutions with interests in foreign and defence policies;
4. Communicate effectively to external audiences the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific international environment, and the ways major powers are responding to these challenges.

The Master of Public Policy: Foreign and Defence Policy Specialisation is designed to enable students to develop expertise in the decision-making processes related to foreign policy decision-making, with a particular focus on defence-related matters. Through the specialisation students will have the opportunity to gain expertise in the foreign policy and defence policy decision-making processes of major powers in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. Students will also be able to develop skills in the analysis of changes in the strategic environment, and the role foreign and defence policies have in responding to these changes.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include: 

• Poverty Reduction
• Development Theories and Themes
• Gender & Development: Critical Issues in Policy and Practice
• Global governance and the role of Multilateral Development Banks

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

The Master of Public Policy Specialisation: Global Development requires 24 of the 96 units for the Master of Public Policy must be from the list of courses in the specified area.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $67,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Australian National University is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. With ties to the Australian Government, they have special standing as a resource for the Australian people. Their approach to education ensures graduates are in demand the world-over for their abilities to address complex contemporary challenges. Offering innovative online subjects from beginning to advanced levels through Open Universities Australia, they meet varied students’ needs and goals.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

4

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

4

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.

• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or
• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or
• Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or
• 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or
• Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
• Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
• A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

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.

Applications must show English language proficiency by meeting ANU's English Language Requirements for admission to study this course.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor degree with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units.