Master of Public Policy: International Policy Specialisation

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

1. Demonstrate deep knowledge and critical understanding of key debates and thinking in the field of international policy.
2. Analyse, synthesise and communicate complex, political and institutional policy problems from multiple perspectives.
3. Develop innovative policy recommendations to complex problems in changing international policy environments.
4. Understand challenges relating to management, implementation and evaluation of international policies and respond to these in innovative ways.

This specialisation is designed for students pursuing a wide range of careers that engage both domestic and international policy processes. It reflects the conviction that international and domestic policymaking are increasingly difficult, and often impossible, to disentangle.

The specialisation provides students with an opportunity to explore this nexus and to focus on policy arenas of particular interest to them. Elective courses within this specialisation cover a wide variety of issues, including: global and regional governance, international trade, foreign investment, energy, environmental regulation, social policy, and the nature of globalisation. It is designed for students who are professionally engaged in policy making and administration with an international dimension or who take an interest in international policy.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include: 

• Foreign Direct Investment Policy
• Global Social Policy
• International Policy Making in the Shadow of the Future
• International Aid Programs and Politics

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 (MPP) Specialisation: International Policy requires that 24 of the 96 units for the Master of Public Policy must be from a 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.