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 Change, one of the Master of Public Policy specialisations, analyses demographic change to inform policy that addresses the global problem of population growth and decline. The specialisation is designed to provide policymakers with demographic research skills to inform policy, analyse and interpret demographic data and indicators, and implement appropriate analytical methods and interpret the results. If you’re ready to analyse and interpret demographic data to inform policy, this degree specialisation is for you. With population growth and decline producing complex problems for policymakers, these valuable skills will prepare you to develop policy that assists institutions, communities and families to navigate the pressures that these changes exert on them.

Population change is a headline topic of public debate. This specialisation will put you at the forefront of policy-making processes that incorporate demographic analysis and focus on how the challenges presented by population shifts can be addressed with a range of sound economic and social policies. By analysing demographic change in different contexts, you will acquire the skills to formulate research questions and to investigate and interpret demographic data and indicators. Ultimately, you’ll use these results to influence and shape economic and social policy.

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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.

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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 out more about application and admission for 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 ANU English 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.