The development of a distinctive international law dealing with security has been ongoing since the creation of the United Nations in 1945 and with it the United Nations Security Council.

That law has been constantly developing through multiple approaches within distinctive areas of international law in recent decades, such as international humanitarian law, the use of force, and international criminal law. That body of law has now developed such distinctive features that the coherent study of International Security Law is now possible and a dedicated series of programs in the field is justified.

These programs build upon specialist staff expertise in the ANU College of Law in the field of international security law, and also seek to complement other courses and programs offered throughout the ANU in the security field (ie. Department of International Relations, CAP). They also complement the existing programs offered by the CoL in International Law.

A key aspect of these programs will be to provide specialist education and training in the area of international security law to the Australian Public Service, where there has been an enormous expansion in national and international security agencies over the past decade. Key agencies that will have an interest in these programs are the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney General’s Department, and the Australian Federal Police.

Masters Program Requirements
The master degree requires the completion of courses totalling 48 units comprising:
• 30 units of compulsory courses (unless exempt from PIL)
• Minimum of 12 units from A list of electives
• Maximum of 6 units from B list of electives (max of 12 if exempt from PIL)

COURSES
All courses are worth 6 units unless otherwise stated. Not all electives will be available every year. Prerequisites apply to some courses

Compulsory Courses

Principles of International Law
International Law & Peacekeeping
International Security Law
International Security Law Research Project A 
(6 units)
International Security Law Research Project B 
(12 units)

Elective Courses A List

International Criminal Law
International Humanitarian Law
International Law and Use of Force
Maritime Security 
National Security Law

Elective Courses B List
Climate Change and Displacement
Conflict Resolution and Peace Building
International Dispute Resolution
Law of the Sea
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century Transnational Security
US Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific

* These are examples of courses that can be drawn from the Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy, International Relations, or Strategic Studies. Other courses may be approved on a case-by-case basis.