Master of Public Policy: Population Change Specialisation

Upon successful completion of the study, you should have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Evaluate and apply demographic theory;
2. Review and critique demographic literature;
3. Formulate demographic research questions;
4. Locate demographic data and evaluate their quality and utility;
5. Implement appropriate methods for demographic analysis and interpret the results;
6. Use demographic research to inform policy.

Population growth and decline produce complex problems for policymakers. Population change exerts a significant impact on communities, families, and institutions, with differential policy impacts in different countries and economic circumstances. While much attention is focused on demographic ageing in high-income countries, middle and lower income countries also face significant demographic challenges as life expectancy increases and fertility rates decline, with significant implications for a wide range of economic and social policies. The analysis of demographic change and its implications contributes to the informed policy making needed to address the complex problems that population growth and decline produce.

This specialisation enables students to study population change issues with a focus on analysing demographic change in different contexts. The specialisation will equip students with skills in analysing and interpreting demographic data and indicators, and their application to economic and social issues in a comparative perspective.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:

• Principles of Population Analysis
• Population and Society: Theory and Empirical Perspectives
• International Migration
• Spatial Population Data Analysis

Plus there's a selection of electives to choose from. 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: Population Change 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 $75,880

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.

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.

· 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.

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

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.