The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in National Security Policy (NSPO) is a two-year research-intensive program offered by the National Security College that gives students the opportunity to research a topic of their choosing in the areas of national security policy, operations and theory. The study of national security encompasses a wide variety of disciplines, from political theory, social policy, history, legal studies, international relations and economics.
Studies may engage with key policy issues in Australia, the neighbouring Asia-Pacific region, other countries of the world, as well as regional and global public policy and governance challenges. The interdisciplinary and theoretically rich nature of the program ensures students are well informed in the selected research area and able to emerge as highly competent researchers engaged at the cutting edge of international academic scholarship.
This information is for prospective MPhil candidates.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
To be admitted to the MPhil in the NSPO program you are required to have achieved:
(a) a degree of bachelor, with an overall grade of distinction or higher, from an Australian university; or
(b) another qualification that the Delegated Authority is satisfied is equivalent or superior to a degree mentioned in paragraph (a); or
(c) a combination of qualifications and professional experience that the Delegated Authority is satisfied is equivalent or superior to a degree mentioned in paragraph (a).
You may be granted admission if you can demonstrate that you have a background equivalent to these qualifications.
Students wishing to undertake a MPhil whose first language is not English are required to have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a score of no less than 6.0 in each individual band. All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students If you are not sure whether you can meet these criteria, please contact the NSPO HDR convenor for advice.
Step 2: Look for two possible supervisors.
Applicants must have two confirmed Crawford school supervisor willing to be your proposed supervisors. Please look through the Crawford School Webpage to see what type of projects are currently being pursued by students and supervisors.
At the ANU, higher degree research students have a primary supervisor and a panel of co-supervisors and/or advisors. If you apply for an MPhil in NSPO, the primary supervisor needs to be from the National Security College (NSC). Supervisory panels are typically made up of experienced professors, mid- and early-career researchers working in the field of interest to the student and one or more colleagues from disciplinary areas that relate to the student’s topic. Browse ‘Find a Supervisor’ for suitable supervisors for your project that meet this criteria.
Step 3: Submit an expression of interest and contact potential supervisors
Before submitting an application for admission, you must submit an expression of interest by emailing the following documents to, a least, two potential supervisors.
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- IELTS/TOEFL results (if applicable)
- Draft thesis proposal (up to 8 pages)
Step 4: Write the thesis proposal
All applicants should write a thesis proposal that includes the following information.
Title
A precise and informative description of the project.
Abstract
A summary of the proposed research (approximately 300 words) that includes the key research question or hypothesis, the rationale for the research, and the method to be employed in the study.
Aims & significance
A clearly focused statement of the overall purpose of the proposed research (ie, why is it important?).
Research questions &/or hypotheses
The questions that the proposed research will address and/or the hypotheses that will be tested.
Institutional fit
A statement on why NSPO is suitable for your project and an indication of potential supervisors/advisors.
Literature review
You need to demonstrate that are aware of the wider literature published internationally and your research can be engaged with the on-going debates. Therefore, you need to provide a preliminary review of the key research that has already been carried out in the field and identification of the gaps in the literature that the proposed research aims to fill.
Methodology
An explanation of what type of data will be required to answer the research questions or test the hypotheses and how the data will be collected and analysed.
Timetable
An indication of how the research will be carried out over the duration of a full-time (2 years for MPhil) or part-time (4 years for MPhil) candidature.
Resources
An indication of the funding that will be required over the course of the candidature (e.g. for fieldwork) as well any special materials or training that may be necessary for the successful completion of the project.
Bibliography
A list of references cited in or relevant to the proposal.
Step 5: Make a formal application to the ANU
- Provide contact details of a minimum of three referees (at least 2 must be academic)
- Have two confirmed academics willing to be your proposed supervisors. The primary supervisor needs to be from the National Security College (NSC). Secure emails from both confirming that they are willing to be a supervisor.
Once two supervisors who meet NSPO’s criteria have signed off on your proposal and confirmed by email their willingness to supervise you, you may then submit an online application. Also, be sure to include contact details of a minimum of three referees, two of whom must be academic. Your application will be assessed by Crawford’s HDR Committee within four- to- six weeks of submission. Please contact the NSC HDR Convenor and/or cap.hdr@anu.edu.eu, and see MPhil programs, for further information and advice.
Coursework Requirements
Students studying a MPhil program in the Public Policy and Governance fields are required to complete CRWF8900 Fostering Public Policy Research (0 units), along with 6 units of Postgraduate Training through coursework through taking POGO8997 Research Design for Public Policy (6 units, Summer Session, offered by Crawford School of Public Policy). MPhil students should aim to start their degree at the start of the calendar year.
A student may also be asked to audit additional courses if the supervisor considers it necessary to aid the successful completion of their dissertation.
Presentations
Students are expected to give one seminar each year of their MPhil studies in the Policy and Governance seminar series attended by staff members and fellow students. Apart from presenting, MPhil students are expected to attend seminars regularly, and be actively involved in providing constructive comments on the work of others.
Supervised Research and Thesis
The final thesis should be no more than 60,000 words in length including footnotes and tables. When the thesis is complete, the thesis is examined by two outside examiners who are experts in the relevant field. The MPhil degree is awarded solely on the basis of the examination of the research thesis. While examiners will be aware that the candidate has completed coursework requirements, the level of performance in coursework is not taken into account in examining the candidate for the award of the degree.
MPhil candidates are required to meet a number of progress milestones as specified for all ANU research candidates, including the completion of Research Integrity Training, an initial Annual Plan, the Thesis Proposal Review, and the final Oral Presentation of your research.