Analyse and manage international risk  

Security is a matter of constant concern for all countries and multinational bodies. It must be actively monitored, sensitively managed and strategically enhanced to maintain social, political and economic stability—and, of course, protect lives.

Our Graduate Diploma in International Security prepares you to play a senior role.

What will you do?

Studied over 12 months full-time, the degree will equip you with the specialist knowledge, awareness and skills to diagnose emergent cross-border security challenges and assess sustainable policy or practice solutions.

The program is designed and delivered by Adelaide’s internationally recognised academics, whose research informs Australian national security policy, international security organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs).

Highly interdisciplinary, it integrates knowledge from our politics, international relations, public policy, Asian studies and geography experts to deliver you:

• high-level skills in identifying and analysing emerging global security threats
• broad understanding of strategic cultures and unconventional conflict
• the opportunity to explore particular interests in cyber security, Indo-Pacific security, national security law, transnational crime, human rights, the impact of climate change, and more.

Where could it take you?

You could find yourself analysing threats in a national security agency. You might help develop risk-mitigation strategies for an international non-government organisation operating in conflict zones. Perhaps you’ll contribute to Indo-Pacific policy for Australia’s growing defence industry.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

You will need to complete a total of not less than 24 units, from the following courses:

Core courses
You must complete all of the below core courses:
POLIS 7026  International Security (6 units)
POLIS 7001  Masterclass in Politics & International Relations (6 units)
POLIS 7002  Strategic Cultures and Unconventional Conflict (6 units)

And 6 units from:
POLIS 7004  International Relations of the Indo-Pacific (6 units)
POLIS 7021  The Politics of the Internet: Pluralism in Digital Age (6 units)

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Management Analyst;  Business Analyst;  Business Consultant;  Business Data Analyst;  Non Government Organisation Worker;  Consultant;  Policy Adviser;  Political Adviser;  Political Analyst;  Corporate Policy Advisor ...

Bachelor degree or equivalent

IELTS: Overall 6.5 (Reading 6, Listening 6, Speaking 6, Writing 6); TOEFL: Internet-based: Total score of 79 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, 18 in Speaking and 13 in Reading and Listening; TOEFL Paper-based: Total score of 577 with a minimum of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE); Pearsons: Overall 58 (Reading 50, Listening 50, Speaking 50, Writing 50); Cambridge: Overall 176 (Reading 169, Listening 169, Speaking 169, Writing 169).