Bachelor of Security Studies
Undergraduate | MAQ-BSS-DEG | 2024
A degree designed in consultation with security industry stakeholders
Scrutinise risk analysis, intelligence, emergency responses and national resilience. Apply analytical tools to contemporary security, defence and policy challenges. Graduates pursue government graduate intake programs or careers in the private sector.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 7 July 2024,
- 24 Nov 2024
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Price from
- $40,020
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Bachelor of Security Studies
About this degree
On successful completion you will be able to
- Demonstrate a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the diverse range of contemporary and emerging security threats to national, international and human security.
- Understand the major theoretical paradigms, core concepts and analytical methods in the field of security studies and apply this knowledge to real-world cases and specific issue areas.
- Understand the broader international and historical context of current debates in security studies and national security.
- Describe the methodologies, procedures, and practices relevant to contemporary security sector processes of risk analysis, policy formulation, organisational cooperation, and practical implementation.
- Identify key security actors, agencies and institutions; explain their roles, functions, interests and strategies in relation to each other, external stakeholders and adversaries; and appreciate the political, legal and ethical contexts that shape their behaviour.
- Critically evaluate the practical effectiveness, cost efficiency and ethical acceptability of different policy responses to traditional and non-traditional security challenges from the tactical to strategic levels.
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills to convey complex security issues in an effective, clear and logical manner relevant to different professional contexts and audiences.
- Evaluate inter-disciplinary knowledge from diverse sources to produce rigorous academic work on a range of contemporary security issues.
- Develop and present theoretically and empirically informed assessments, practical recommendations, and innovative solutions regarding complex security challenges through written assessments and active course participation.
- Demonstrate appreciation and application of ethical principles and standards concerning issues of social responsibility, personal integrity and acceptance of diversity pertinent to modern professional practice in preparation for graduate employment.
The Bachelor of Security Studies (OUA) will develop your knowledge and analytical skills to identify and address traditional and non-traditional security threats from both national and international perspectives.
The course presents a systematic approach to security studies that covers the key conceptual approaches to identifying and managing security challenges and the diverse threats facing Australia, its region and the world in the twenty-first century. The broad scope of the course reflects the Australian government's expanded definition of national security and targets industry needs for graduate skills and capabilities.
Recommended study pattern
Students are required to complete 24 subjects as prescribed below.
CORE ZONE
Essential subjects
- PHIX1037 - Critical Thinking
- PICX1010 - Introduction to Security Studies
- PICX1011 - New Security Challenges
- PICX1012 - Strategy and Security in the Indo-Pacific
- PICX1014 - International Security in the 20th Century
- PICX2001 - Cyber Crime
- PICX2010 - Intelligence and Counter Intelligence
- PICX2012 - Modern Warfare
- PICX2013 - Crisis Management and Disaster Relief
- PICX2015 -Terrorism and Counterterrorism in the 21st Century
- PICX3011 - Cyber Security in Practice
- PICX3012 - Intelligence Policy
- PICX3013 - Strategies of Political Violence and Counter Terrorism
- PICX3014 - Australian National Security
- PICX3015 - Security Policy Analysis: Current and Emerging Issues
Capstone Subject:
- PICX3020 - Ethical Practice in Security Studies
FLEXIBLE ZONE
8 Elective subjects
You can use your flexible zone to enrol in any subject for which you meet the pre-requisites.
TOTAL SUBJECTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM: 24
Award requirements
Students must complete 24 subjects of study, comprised of
- 16 core subjects
- 8 electives
The degree will normally be of three years duration for full-time students, but part-time students may take longer.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Students must complete can complete 80 credit points (8 subjects) from any subject for which they meet the prerequisites.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Students are eligible to register for this degree after successfully completing at least 2 subjects from the degree with a credit average, or passing four subjects from the degree. Registration is free for all students.
Please be advised that as from Session 1, 2020, Commonwealth Supported Place (CS) and HECS are not available for this degree for new students. However, subject to your eligibility, other HELP loans may be available. Students who have already been admitted into a Commonwealth Supported Place will not be affected by this change.
Once registered you will receive the degree structure that you must follow to achieve the qualification.
Please contact Macquarie for further enquiries.
Note:
Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.
Visit Studying a degree through OUA for further information.
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
All students registering in the Bachelor of Security Studies must complete the structure at the time of registration. Retired units that have been completed will be counted towards the degree. Please contact Macquarie University for further assistance.
Changes in 2020
From 2020 the Macquarie unit codes have changed. All units previously studied under the old unit code will be recognised as equivalent.
Students who have been admitted into a degree program prior to 2020 will follow the degree structure in place at the time/year of their degree registration with Macquarie University. Please refer to the study plans of the year you have been admitted into the degree.
All subjects previously studied under the old subject code will be recognised as equivalent. The current 4 digit subject codes will replace the old subject codes.
Program Structures
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
- 4 OUA Undergraduate subjects at pass level from any OUA provider; OR
- 2 OUA Undergraduate subjects at credit grade level from any OUA provider; OR
A competitive ATAR of 75, a Selection Rank of 75 or equivalent OP of 12.
Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.
All applicants for undergraduate coursework studies at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
You may satisfy the English language requirements if you have completed:
- senior secondary studies equivalent to the NSW HSC
- one year of Australian or comparable tertiary study in a country of qualification
For more information see English Language Requirements.
If you have completed prior study at Diploma level or higher, you may be eligible for credit towards your Bachelor at Macquarie which can reduce the duration of your program.
For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.
Study method requirements
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University and OUA offer a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others.
All unit materials are delivered fully online. Students with special needs can apply for alternative assessment arrangements. Contact us at Macquarie Student Admin.
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Security Studies has been designed to meet the needs of public and private sector employers in the security field. It is ideal for prospective students who want to enter the workforce as a security analyst in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.
The core content of the program is designed to give graduates a strong knowledge and skill base to make them attractive candidates for government graduate programs, entry into commercial enterprises with large operations, private consultancies, non-governmental organisations, statute authorities or any organisation which regularly deals with actors in the security field.
Career outlook
- Commissioned Defence Force Officers:
- Over $120K
- Detectives:
- $93K to $120K
- Intelligence and Policy Analysts:
- $93K to $120K
- Intelligence Officers:
- $93K to $120K
- Police:
- $93K to $120K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K
Degree FAQs
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.