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Overview

Study a Master of Political Science at one of the world’s leading institutions for political research. This intensive degree focuses on the contemporary politics of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region and equips students with cutting-edge analytical skills they need for independent research. Students can choose from a wide range of courses covering terrorism, human rights, interest group advocacy or Islam and democracy. They will benefit from small seminar groups taught by our renowned academics. 

As an ANU student you will learn from academics who provide regular policy advice to the Australian and foreign governments. You will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures from visiting academics and policymakers in Australia’s political capital.

ANU is ranked #1 in Australia and #8 in the world in Politics and International Studies.

Our programs

View our coursework guide [PDF 3.1MB]

Career pathways

The Master of Political Science provides students with the analytical tools they need to answer a range of critical questions - What motivates voters to support populist candidates? How can election outcomes be more accurately forecast? What is the source of ethnic conflicts and how can it be best understood? The program provides training in political science research methods and equips students with in-depth knowledge on contemporary political affairs. Students can choose from a wide selection of topics covering terrorism and counter-terrorism, human rights, interest group advocacy or Islam and democracy. The program will be of interest to those intending to pursue research-oriented careers in government, international organisations, NGOs and private bodies, and to those intending further study in the field. Internationally recognised, this Master degree also paves the way to pursuing a PhD overseas.

Our degrees will prepare you with the necessary skills to advance your career in a wide range of professions such as:

• Consultancies
• Diplomatic / Foreign service
• Foreign affairs
• Government and public service
• Intergovernmental agencies
• International trade and business
• International development and aid
• Journalism
• Multinational corporations
• Private not for profit
• University teaching and research
• Think tanks, policy institutes, and research centres

Study with the experts

You will learn from internationally recognised research scholars who provide regular policy advice to the Australian and foreign governments:

• Associate Professor Paul Kenny – specialises in populism; corruption; immigration; colonialism; India; Southeast Asia
• Dr Svitlana Chernykh – specialises in democratisation; elections; post-election disputes; Executive-legislative relations; comparative constitutional design.
• Professor Edward Aspinall – specialises in Indonesian national politics; Southeast Asian politics; democratisation; social movements; nationalism and ethnic conflict.
• Professor Patrick Dumont – specialises in political elites; Executive-legislative relations, parties and party systems; Coalition Theory and elections.
• Dr Matthew Kerby – specialises in-comparative government and politics; political elites; Canadian and Irish politics.
• Dr Katrin Travouillon – specialises in transformation of Cambodia’s political system; identities, ideas and interests of Cambodia’s political actors.