Master of Strategy and Defence

1 Year

48 Units

In person or online

Why study this program

The Master of Strategy and Defence at The Australian National University (ANU) equips you to understand and shape the strategic and defence challenges of the 21st century.

Based in Canberra, where academic research meets government practice, the program places you at the centre of Australia’s strategic thinking. You’ll study alongside leading academics, defence experts, and former policymakers, gaining a deep understanding of how strategy is developed, debated, and applied.

Available both in person and online, this degree is designed for professionals and graduates who want to influence national and international policy, analyse complex security environments, and lead with confidence in defence, intelligence, or strategic roles.

The learning experience

At ANU, learning goes beyond the classroom. Engage with world-class academics and practitioners through case studies, simulations, and debates that tackle contemporary strategic challenges.

The Master of Strategy and Defence is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to shape your studies around your interests — from geopolitics and diplomacy to crisis management and defence policy. You can also build regional expertise through the study of Asian languages.

Through this program, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how strategy is conceived and conducted — and how military operations intersect with policy. Develop the ability to analyse and synthesise complex information, apply strategic concepts to real-world contexts, and communicate evidence-based insights with clarity and confidence.

Research underpins your entire learning experience, equipping you to think critically and contribute to the debates and policies that shape Australia’s strategic future.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Strategy and Defence are well prepared for leadership and advisory roles across defence, government, and international security sectors. You’ll develop the analytical, communication, and policy skills that employers value in roles requiring strategic insight and decision-making.

Career paths may include positions in:

Government and defence:
Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Defence Force (ADF), and national security agencies.
International organisations:
Roles with the United Nations, NATO, ASEAN, or other global and regional bodies addressing peace, conflict, and security.
Think tanks and research institutions:
Strategic analysis, policy development, and academic research with leading organisations such as ASPI, Lowy Institute, or the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.
Private sector and consulting:
Opportunities in risk management, intelligence analysis, strategic advisory, and corporate security consulting.

World-class academics are your teachers

This program brings together globally recognised academics and practitioners from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC) — Australia’s leading centre for research and teaching on strategy, military history, and defence policy. Many of them bring firsthand experience from the Department of Defence, the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and international organisations.

Professor Stephan Frühling

Stephan is a specialist in defence studies, NATO, nuclear weapons, alliances, European security, and Australian government and politics.

Professor Evelyn Goh

Evelyn Goh has published widely on U.S.-China relations and diplomatic history, regional security order in East Asia, Southeast Asian strategies towards great powers, and environmental security.