Master of Public Policy: International Policy Specialisation

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

1. Demonstrate deep understanding of public policy and its key challenges and issues, in Australia and globally;
2. Understand processes and challenges of agenda-setting, formulation, implementation, management and evaluation of public policy;
3. Reflect critically on key theoretical debates in the field of public policy including its practical application across cultural, developmental and institutional contexts;
4. Demonstrate understanding of methods for policy research and analysis and identify and apply them with appropriate tools to public policy issues;
5. Analyse, synthesise and communicate complex, political and institutional policy problems from multiple perspectives.

Open yourself up to a world of careers that engage both domestic and international policy processes. International Policy, one of the Master of Public Policy specialisations, is designed to upskill policymakers in international policy processes and provide a career pathway for graduates. The specialisation enables you to explore the nexus between domestic and international policy making and learn skills to develop international policy recommendations. If you’re professionally engaged in policy making and administration, and seeking an international dimension, this degree specialisation is for you. It’s also for those seeking skills specific to international policy making in preparation for global career opportunities.

The impact of globalisation is making international policy an increasingly sought-after area of expertise, and this specialisation reflects the conviction that international and domestic policy making are often impossible to disentangle. This nexus will be explored through your choice of electives – global and regional governance, international trade, foreign investment, energy, environmental regulation, social policy and the nature of globalisation. When you graduate, you will be skilled in analysing, synthesising and communicating complex, political and institutional policy problems from multiple perspectives. You’ll also have the capacity to respond to challenges relating to the management, implementation and evaluation of international policies in innovative ways.

Choose your subjects

Majors

This MPP specialisation requires the completion of 24 units from the specified courses in relevant areas. Find out more about the unit and course details at the ANU Programs and Courses.

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

Indicative total fee $66,000

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 2026, within Australia:

4

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, 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.

Find more information about the Master of Public Policy at the ANU Programs and Courses.

A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

Applications must meet the ANUEnglish Language Requirements for Admission.

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.