Master of Security and Strategic Studies

On successful completion, you will be able to

1. Critically analyse and explain real world security/strategic issues through specialised disciplinary knowledge.
2. Transfer, integrate and use advanced disciplinary techniques and methods to develop solutions to real world security/strategic issues.
3. Apply disciplinary knowledge to develop, analyze, and evaluate intelligence-related policies.
4. Create research and implementable policies in the field of Security and Strategic Studies.
5. Make ethically and socially informed judgments in Security and Strategic studies.
6. Communicate disciplinary knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written and oral forms.

Graduates will be equipped to work in a range of government, non-government and private employment, including:

• Department of Defence
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Australian Border Force
• International/Regional organizations
• Think tanks and policy advising.
• Media
• Defence and security related business and industry
• International Non-Government Organisations

Higher education

Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience, or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to the course at one of the admission points below. 

Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the course's zones  (see Course Structure) which will affect the overall duration of the course.

Core and Flexible Zones

• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent, and approved work experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning, or
• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65

Core Zone

• AQF level 8 bachelor honours or graduate diploma qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
• Meet two of the following three criteria:
  • AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent
  • Minimum two years relevant approved work experience at senior management level, professional certification or other recognised prior learning
  • AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65

Related Disciplines For Prior Qualifications

Social Sciences, Humanities

Work and Life

Relevant Prior Work Experience, Professional Certification, Or Other Recognised Learning

Police Force, Defence Force, Public Service, Law, Policy advising, defence and security related industry and business, media, international policy think tanks.

English Proficiency Requirements

The required standard of English for this program is:

Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.

All applicants to coursework programs at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. 

For more information on accepted equivalents, please see English Language Requirements.

You may be eligible for credit against individual units in your course at Macquarie if you have additional postgraduate-level study or qualifications beyond those required for admission.

For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.

In a changing international and strategic environment, there is a growing demand for people with specialised knowledge in security and strategic studies. In studying this course you will have a deep understanding of the theory and practice of security and strategy studies. This includes in-depth knowledge of Australia’s emerging security and defence environment in the 21st Century. The course further seeks to equip you with practical skills in terms of thinking through complex security problems in a systematic way in order to enhance your employment opportunities. The core units, provided through the Department of Security Studies and Criminology, focus on synthesising the latest developments in security and strategic studies. They will provide you with an in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical issues at a global, regional and national level. The elective units will allow you to focus on other aspects of security, including cyber security, counter terrorism, intelligence and criminology.

Recommended Study Pattern

Master of Security and Strategic Studies students must complete eight or twelve subjects as per the admission point.

Please note: It is not recommended to enrol in more than 2 subjects per Session

A student who is taking an unduly long time to complete a program of study may be excluded from further enrolment. An unduly long period of time is considered to be effective enrolment longer than 7 years for this Masters degree.

Core Zone

Essential Subjects: 50 credit points

• PICX8012 Critical Thought & Research Design
• PICX8050 Strategic Thinking
• PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
• PICX8061 Transnational Security
• PICX8921 Australia’s Strategic and Defence Policy

Core Zone

Elective Subjects

Complete 10 credit points from:

• PICX8951 Simulation in Security and Strategy
• PICX8961 Decision Making , Scenario Planning and Simulation in Security and Strategy

Complete 20 credit points from:

• PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
• PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
• PICX8080 Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Information Warfare
• PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory

Flexible Zone

Electives: 40 credit points from:

• PICX8013 History of Intelligence
• PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
• PICX8040 Cyber Crime and Cyber Policing
• PICX8043 International Terrorism
• PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
• PICX8062 The Crimes of the Powerful
• PICX8080 Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Information Warfare
• PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory
• SOCX8015 Doing Social Survey Research
• SOCX8020 Evaluating Social Policy
• SOCX8035 Qualitative Methods for Policy 
• SOCX8080 Making Public Policy in a Globalised World
• PICX8002 Information Warfare, Disinformation and Propaganda

Total credit points: 120

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Security and Strategic Studies students must complete eight or twelve subjects as required. Students must complete the compulsory subjects as indicated in the degree structure.

On completion of admission you are bound by the University Terms and Conditions and must comply with present and future By-laws, Rules, Codes, and Policies, Procedures and Schedules of Macquarie University

Students who did not commence their program in the current year are required to follow the program structure provided to them at the time of admission.

Applications are due the Friday two weeks prior to the close of enrolment date for the study session you are applying for.

Please note:

Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.

 https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia/degree-information.

Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

From 2020  the Macquarie unit codes have changed. All units previously studied under the old unit code will be recognised as equivalent.