Master of Regulation and Governance

1. Apply advanced concepts and theoretical debates to practical challenges in regulation and governance in Australia, Asia and the Pacific, and globally.
2. Critically interrogate political and social processes of evaluating risk and designing regulatory responses to everyday safety, complex scenarios.
3. Map the actors, processes and politics of agenda-setting, rule-formation and standard-setting, norm-diffusion and enforcement by governance institutions in Australia, Asia and the Pacific and globally .
4. Identify, diagnose, and address emerging regulation and governance issues using a range of interdisciplinary social research methods and principles.
5. Effectively communicate complex issues in regulation and governance to diverse audiences and stakeholders, orally and in writing, using data and evidence .

The Master of Regulation and Governance is a unique degree that equips students and their organisations to navigate environments where complexity, risk, and transformative technologies are reshaping the ways in which we govern and regulate. Graduates from this program will be working in - or will join - government or private sector organisations charged with designing and applying regulatory policy solutions to pressing social problems, often in partnership with diverse stakeholders. Core courses provide students with a solid foundation in the concepts, institutions, processes and practices of regulation and governance. Electives and master classes taught by leading experts in their fields provide case studies, simulations and clinics for examining domains such as climate, crime, environment, health, justice, safety, technology and urban design. All the courses are interactive and ask how regulation and governance are created - and by whom and for what purpose. Course materials emphasise how to better anticipate regulatory challenges, manage risk and support equitable social outcomes. It draws on the evidence-based research and the ‘big ideas’ in regulation and governance for which academics at the ANU's School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) are world famous. The students join RegNet's unique educational program, which emphasises interdisciplinary skills-building, our place in Asia and the Pacific, a stimulating curriculum, master classes with distinguished practitioners, global networks and multiple career pathways.

Recommended study pattern

The Masters of Regulation and Governance requires completion of 48 units, which must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following foundational courses:  

• REGN8050 The Policy and Practice of Regulation  
• REGN8052 Regulation and Governance  

Minimum 18 units from completion of the following master classes on contemporary governance: 

• REGN8002 Governance and Social Theory  
• REGN8005 Restorative Justice in the World  
• REGN8022 Governance in a Complex and Uncertain World  
• REGN8023 Global Governance Regimes  
• REGN8054 Governance Beyond the State  

A maximum 18 units from completion of the following electives: 

Regulatory Governance 

• REGN8012 Special Topics in Regulation and Governance 
• REGN8014 Contemporary Issues in Technology Governance  
• REGN8024 Regulating Nuclear Capabilities  
• REGN8049 Regulating Disruptive Technologies  

Public Policy 

• NSPO8006 National Security Policymaking
• NSPO8050 National Security, Human Rights and International Law
• POGO8062 Public Sector Management
• POGO8076 Corruption and Anti-Corruption
• POGO8402 The Political and Institutional Architecture of Public Policy
• POGO8500 Evidence and Analysis in Public Policy

Public Law 

• LAWS8001 Introduction to Law, Governance and Development
• LAWS8660 Foundations of Public Law

Corporate Governance 

• LAWS8125 The Law of Corporate Governance
• LAWS8254 Business, Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility

Environmental Governance 

• EMDV8079 Water Justice, Management and Governance
• EMDV8104 Environmental Governance
• LAWS8189 Environmental and Sustainability Law
• POGO8212 Governing the Energy Transition

A maximum 6 units from the following work-integrated learning units:

• ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A
• CRWF8021 Applied Policy Project
• CRWF8019 Public Policy and Professional Internship

Award requirements

The 1 year degree of multi-modal delivery, requires the completion of 48 units. 

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

Indicative total fee $40,300

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.

Research-led education from Australia’s national university

As one of Australia's leading universities, The Australian National University (ANU) is recognised as a world-leading research powerhouse. You'll learn from academics whose research is shaping their fields, bringing the latest thinking directly into your studies. Studying at ANU, you'll develop the knowledge and skills to tackle real-world challenges while deepening your understanding of the ideas shaping Australia and the world.

Study online at ANU through Open Universities Australia (OUA) with the flexibility to fit learning around your life. Whether you're studying a single course or working towards a qualification, you’ll have access to the same high-quality learning and academic expertise that define an education at Australia’s national university.

CRICOS Provider : 00120C
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University)

Learn more about Australian National University

Explore Australian National University courses

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. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

• Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or
• Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 5/7: or
• Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 5/7; or
• Bachelor 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
• 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 Diploma or international equivalent with a 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
• 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 5/7; 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. 

Ranking and English language proficiency: 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. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 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. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Application for course credit: Applicants who have completed a degree in a cognate discipline from a recognised university may be eligible to receive coursework credit towards this degree, in line with the ANU Recognition of prior and external learning policy

Cognate Disciplines

Anthropology, Asian studies, criminology, development studies, international relations, law, pacific studies, political science, policy studies, psychology, security studies, sociology