Postgraduate
Guide 2025
POSTGRADUATE GUIDE 2025
ANU College of Arts
and Social Sciences
As social scientists, historians, demographers,
linguists, archaeologists, cultural researchers, social
policy analysts, curators, artists and musicians, we seek
to understand the world around us so that we can solve
problems to create a better future.
Australian National University (ANU) students are
ambitious, smart and focused. They’re here to make
a difference.
Are you ready to take the leap?
Where in the world can humanities, arts and
social sciences take you?
Your future
starts with
understanding
our world
Contents
3 Arts and social sciences at
Australia’s leading university
4 The Canberra advantage
6 Excellence in research
8 Your degree pathway
10 Postgraduate coursework
11 Research degrees
12 Find your focus
14 Anthropology & archaeology
16 Australian Indigenous studies
18 General & applied linguistics
20 History, heritage & culture
22 Human society
24 Political science & public policy
26 Social research & demography
28 Visual arts & design
30 Beyond ANU campus
31 Apply today
32 Our degrees
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025 1ii
Image: ANU student Noorazah Mohd Noor at the ANU Three Minute
Thesis competition. Photo by Jane Duong.
1ii
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Arts and social sciences at
Australia’s leading university
If you’re thinking about postgraduate study in arts,
humanities, or social sciences, look no further than
the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS)—
whether you’re specialising after a Bachelor’s degree
or taking the next step in your career. You’ll join a
community of world-class researchers, dedicated
teachers and inspired students who will support and
challenge you to become the best in your eld.
Global
ranking
30
th
in the world
*
Five-star
Ranked 1
st
in
Australia for
for staff
qualications, and
small class sizes
**
42 per cent
Percentage of ANU
students studying
a postgraduate
degree
60+
College teaching
staff who
are members
of one, or both, of the
Australian Academy of the
Humanities, and the
Academy of the Social
Sciences of Australia.
Subject
rankings
1
st
in Australia
ANU is ranked #1 in Australia
for 10 disciplines across
humanities, arts and social
sciences.
^
Above world
standard
World-class research
Ninety-six per cent of
broad-eld research at ANU
is rated above or well above
world standard.
+
*QS World University Rankings 2025
^
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 **Good Universities Guide 2023
+ Australian Government Excellence in Research for Australian Report 2019
32 32
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
A capital experience
The nation’s policymakers, lawmakers and inuencers
make their home in Canberra. Do you want to gain
rst hand experience in Australia’s political system?
Engage with diplomats and Canberra’s international
community? Or how about an internship at the National
Museum of Australia? It’s all possible at ANU, thanks
to our connections with Parliament House and all 12
national cultural institutions via the Australian National
Internships Program (ANIP).
Our talent
ANU boasts leading academic talent, whose contributions
not only inform public understanding and debate, they
shape it from the forefront. With one of the highest
ratios of academic staff to students among Australian
universities gaining a ve-star rating,** our academics are
able to provide individual attention to better guide and
inspire you.
World-class research and teaching
Many of our disciplines feature highly in global rankings.
Archaeology, politics, anthropology, philosophy,
development studies, geography, history, social policy
and sociology are all ranked #1 in Australia and in the
top 20 in the world.* Our reputation for excellence is not
only demonstrated in our rankings, but in the talent from
around Australia and the world who choose to study and
teach at ANU.
Outstanding facilities and resources
Studying at ANU gives you convenient access to the
University’s extensive resources. Our state-of-the-art
music recording studio provides students access to a
world-class facility and is co-located in the School of
Music with Llewellyn Hall, one of the country’s nest
concert venues. The ANU School of Art & Design boasts
a range of workshops that foster skills from glasswork
and pottery to cutting-edge digital and virtual reality
techniques. All students have access to our world-class
libraries, including the Chiey, Menzies, Hancock and Law
libraries, and the ANU Archives.
The Canberra
advantage
From its very inception, Canberra was conceived as a world-class city, with
institutions of research, culture, and government at its heart.
** The Good Universities Guide 2024
Nestled in the ‘bush capital’, our 145-hectare campus sits
among the stunning natural environment that gives Canberra
its unique peaceful character. Yet only steps from our campus
you’ll nd Canberra’s cosmopolitan city centre, buzzing with
cafes, restaurants and shops. In easy reach are national
institutions such as Parliament House and the National Gallery
of Australia, as well as unparalleled scholarly resources at the
National Library of Australia, National Archives of Australia, and
Australian War Memorial.
One of the world’s most liveable cities
Canberra is a city where power, culture, and international
affairs converge. A vibrant city of thinkers, changemakers,
and innovators. Canberra is not just a place to study, but a
destination where you can make your mark.
You’ll love the beautiful leafy ANU campus, and our friendly
community of students who come from across Australia and over
100 countries around the world. With the 2021 opening of the
Kambri cultural precinct, ANU offers an educational, physical,
creative and social experience in a village setting, on a campus
already renowned for award-winning architecture and tranquil
green spaces.
Global excellence
ANU leads the nation in all of the
disciplines listed below, and is ranked in
the top 20 in the world* for:
Archaeology #8
Politics #8
Anthropology #9
Philosophy #9
Development Studies #10
Geography #11
History #13
Social Policy #14
Sociology #19
Canberra life
Canberra quick facts
#1 Best city in the world to visit
Numbeo Quality of Life Index 2022
#1 Most inclusive city in Australia
Study Canberra
#4 World’s most liveable city
OECD, 2023, Numbeo Quality of Life Index
#30 Best student city in the world
QS Best Student Cities 2024
* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
54 54
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025 76
Excellence
in research
Canberra is a city where power, learning, culture, and international
affairs converge: a vibrant city of thinkers, changemakers, and
innovators. Canberra is not just a place to study, but a destination
where you can make your mark.
Research results
Across humanities, arts and social sciences, ANU sets national and international standards in
research, education and community engagement. Our national role in Australia is demonstrated
by consistent high placement in global rankings and the depth and breadth of our research.
ANU achieves outstanding results in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) outcomes, a
comprehensive and rigorous measure of research evaluation lead by the Australian Research Council.
In the latest assessment in 2019, the College of Arts and Social Sciences achieved results that were
above or well above world standard in subjects ranging from history, philosophy and criminology,
to archaeology and anthropology. Ninety-six per cent of the University’s research output is ranked
well above world standard, demonstrating our legacy of and ongoing commitment to producing
outstanding research that matters internationally.
Early career achievement
Our early career researchers enjoy signicant opportunities and success. In recent years the College
has enjoyed a signicantly higher success rate for Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards
(DECRAs) than the national average, reecting our strong talent and supportive environment. From
working closely with remote Indigenous communities to strengthen their language and culture, to
life-saving explorations in health care communication, our early career researchers are pursuing
high quality research that expands Australia’s knowledge and capabilities. If you’re considering
postgraduate study as a stepping stone to a career in research, you will be ideally placed to do so
at ANU.
Researchers with impact
The expertise, dedication and inuence of our researchers makes ANU the top choice for
postgraduate study in Australia. Our academic staff are recognised internationally for their research
and real-world experience. CASS is home to more than 60 academy fellows across the Australian
Academy of Humanities and the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Over the last decade,
we have hosted 87 Australian Research Council (ARC) Fellows, 17 of whom are currently active and
engaged in tackling some of Australia’s most pressing social challenges. A ve star rating* for teacher
student ratio reects the individualised attention you will enjoy at ANU.
*The Good Universities Guide 2024.
Work with the brightest minds in
the creative arts, humanities and
social sciences at Australia’s
top university.
What makes us the top university for postgraduate studies? It’s the expertise and dedication of our
researchers. Nine of our College’s disciplines are ranked number one in Australia and in the world’s top 20,*
and 96% of our research is ranked above world standard.
+
Our Academic staff are internationally recognised for their research, and 60 are members of the Australian
Academy of the Humanities, the Academy of the Social Sciences of Australia, or both. We host 31 Australian
Research Council Future Fellows and three ARC Laureates.
With some of the smallest class sizes of any Australian university,** you’re guaranteed to have one-on-one
time so you get the guidance and support you need to succeed.
Experts in their eld
Dr Zhengdao Ye
Dr Ye’s cultural background is
interwoven with her research expertise
and interests. She is a leading expert
in intercultural communication.
Chinese linguistics and semantics
are amongst the areas she teaches
and specialises in, along with the
expression of emotion through
language. Dr Ye is a certied translator
for the National Accreditation
Authority for Translators and
Interpreters (NAATI). She lectures in
linguistics and supervises the work of
many postgraduate students.
Associate Professor
Yujie Zhu
When we visit heritage tourist
destinations, we’re often not aware of
the depth of culture and history that
lies behind what we’re seeing.
Associate Professor Zhu’s research
and teaching sheds light on these
cultural and political complexities. His
focus is on Chinese cultural heritage,
and he has written on phenomena such
as ‘romantic consumerism’, issues of
heritage and authenticity, and heritage
conservation.
Dr Liz Allen
Dr Allen is a lecturer with POLIS:
The Centre for Social Policy Research
within CASS.
Dr Allen is a highly experienced
demographer and frequent contributor
to public discussion on topical
issues in Australia including fertility,
migration, population change, social
trends, and population health.
She completed a Master of Social
Research and subsequently a PhD at
ANU while raising a family.
* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 **Good Universities Guide 2023
+
Australian Government Excellence in Research for Australian Report 2019
76
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Research degrees
There’s no limit to your research potential at the ANU College of Arts and
Social Sciences. Our PhD students are at the forefront of their disciplines,
from archaeology to sociology.
Work with world-leading researchers and become part of a global academic
community. With a prestigious research degree, you’ll be on the path to
becoming an independent researcher, professional academic or leader in
the workplace.
Degree types
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Full-time PhD students normally spend a minimum of
three years at ANU, while part-time students spend
up to six years. As a candidate, you usually submit a
thesis of 80,000 to 100,000 words.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
MPhil degrees normally take between one and two
years full-time to complete, or up to four years
part-time. The thesis for an MPhil is typically
60,000 words.
Areas of research
The ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences is
constantly ranked among the best in the world for
research in disciplines across the creative arts,
humanities and social sciences.
At ANU, you can pursue research in:
• Archaeology
• Anthropology
• Arts (Visual and Design)
• Art History and Curatorial
Studies
• Australian Indigenous
Studies
• Biographical Research
and Writing
• Biological Anthropology
• Classics
• Criminology
• Demography
• Digital Humanities
• Forensic Anthropology
• Gender, Sexuality and
Culture
• History
• Human Evolutionary
Biology
• Interdisciplinary and
Cross-Cultural Studies
• Languages
• Linguistics and Applied
Linguistics
• Literary Studies
• Middle East and Central
Asian Studies
• Museums, Collections
and Heritage
• Music
• Philosophy
• Planetary Futures
• Political Science and
International Relations
• Public Culture
• Social Research and
Methods
• Sociology
Find out more:
cass.anu.edu.au/study/higher-degree-research
Develop your research proposal:
This is the starting point. We use it
to assess the quality and originality
of your ideas and make sure it ts
within our research focus.
Find a supervisor: Before you apply,
you’ll need an ANU supervisor.
Formally lodge your online
application directly to ANU.
Your HDR application will
automatically be considered for all
available government and university
funded scholarships.
Postgraduate coursework
We offer postgraduate coursework programs in more than 20 disciplines,
so you can pursue a passion, advance your career, or even change career
direction altogether.
Degree types
Graduate Certicate
A Graduate Certicate is an introductory
postgraduate qualication that takes one semester
full-time. If you plan to progress to a Master
program, you will need a GPA of at least4.0 to be
considered for admission.
Master
A Master degree enables you to specialise in your
chosen eld, building on skills developed in your
undergraduate study and professional experience.
Most Master programs require a cognate
background, however, you are eligible to study
some Master programs even if you have a non-
cognate background.
Master (Advanced)
Through an Advanced degree, you can explore a
subject in-depth and hone your research skills.
This involves writing a thesis of 24 units. Available
in most subjects, an advanced Master degree is an
excellent pathway to a PhD.
The details
Find out more about admission requirements,
degree structures and credits:
cass.anu.edu.au/study/master-degrees
HOW TO APPLY IN THREE STEPS
98
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Human society
Master of Anthropology and Planetary
Futures
Master of Archaeological
and Evolutionary Science
Master of Social Research Methods
Graduate Certicate of Cross-Cultural
Analysis
Graduate Certicate of Social Research
Social research and demography
Master of Social Research Methods
(focus on demographic analysis or
analysing crime and justice)
Graduate Certicate of
Social Research
Graduate Certicate of Demography
Political science and public policy
Master of Middle Eastern and Central
Asian Studies
Master of Political Science
Master of Social Research Methods
(focus on policy analysis or politics and
society)
Master of Public Policy (specialise in
population change, indigenous policy,
social research methods)
Graduate Certicate of Social Research
Graduate Certicate of Middle Eastern
and Central Asian Studies
Visual arts and design
Master of Contemporary Art Practices
Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies
For interdisciplinary explorers
Some of our planet’s biggest challenges—
including climate change, refugees, health and
human rights—can’t be conned to a single
academic discipline. You need multiple
perspectives.
CHOOSE YOUR DEGREE
• Graduate Certicate of Studies
• Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Research (ICCR) program
Our disciplines
At the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, you’ll nd coursework
programs in over 20 wide-ranging disciplines. Wherever you decide to
focus, you’ll learn the latest research and methodologies in your chosen
eld. Your new qualication will prepare you to take the next step in your
career, or continue your research journey.
Find your focus
Anthropology and archaeology
Master of Anthropology and Planetary
Futures
Master of Archaeological and
Evolutionary Science
Graduate Certicate in Cross-Cultural
Analysis
General and applied linguistics
Master of General and
Applied Linguistics
Graduate Certicate of General and
Applied Linguistics
Diploma of Languages*
Australian Indigenous studies
Master or Graduate Certicate of
General and Applied Linguistics (focus
on Australian Indigenous languages
and society)
Master of Museum and Heritage
Studies
Master of History (specialise in Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander history)
Master of Social Research Methods (focus
on Indigenous Research and Policy)
Graduate Certicate in the Repatriation of
Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects
Heritage, history and culture
Master of Art History and Curatorial
Studies
Master of Digital Humanities and
Public Culture
Master of History
Master of Museum and Heritage
Studies
Master of Heritage Tourism Management
Graduate Certicate of Museum and
Heritage Studies
Graduate Certicate in the Repatriation of
Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects
*Postgraduate students have opportunity to concurrently learn your desired language under the Diploma of Languages program
– subject to ANU load policy.
Visit cass.anu.edu.au/study/postgraduate for more details.
1110
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
The clues to humanity are everywhere. Embedded within our culture, buried within
the earth, and even in our DNA. The study of what it means to be human can be fully
achieved only by exploring both the past and present of humanity, where aspects of
our biology, evolution, culture, society, and individual behaviour converge.
Our disciplines
Anthropology & archaeology
Understand what makes us human
Anthropology is the study of cultural differences
and similarities in a globalised world. As a eld
of study, anthropology is uniquely placed to
interpret the widest range of contemporary social
phenomena and many changing forms of social
relationships. You can focus your study on a range of
specialisations including ethnography and research
methods; development; food and sustainability;
gender, embodiment and technology; and empire,
migration and travel.
As an archaeological and evolutionary science
student, you’ll go beyond theory, and take your
learning to the eld and the lab. Available
specialisations include bioarchaeology and forensic
anthropology; environmental archaeology and
climate change; human evolution; and primate and
human behaviour. You’ll benet from our strong
industry partnerships, professional internship
program, hands-on master classes with visiting
fellows, local and international eld schools, and
our world-class laboratory facilities.
Choose your degree
You can study anthropology and archaeology with
these degrees:
• Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures
• Master of Archaeological and
Evolutionary Science
• Graduate Certicate of Cross-Cultural Analysis
Your future career
Our postgraduate degrees in anthropology,
archaeology, and evolutionary science will assist
you in advancing your career in government,
the development sector, non-government and
international organisations, cultural institutions,
academia and research, or consulting.
Anthropology offers important insights into key
global challenges of our time, such as identity
politics, climate change, and technology and its
social use.
Professional outcomes
In addition to a deep understanding of the eld,
these Masters programs equip you with extensive
research skills. Based on its ethnographic
approach (participant observation and long-term
eldwork) anthropology examines similarities and
differences across political, economic and socio-
cultural domains. In studying archaeological and
evolutionary science, you’ll learn to apply scientic
research and analysis techniques in the lab and
the eld. You’ll also learn to think critically about
your research and ndings, and present them in an
accurate and persuasive way.
Anthropology
#1
in Australia
#9 globally
Archaeology
#1
in Australia
#8 globally
QS World University
Rankings by Subject 2024
Image credit: ‘Wrestling with Ethnography’ by PhD candidate Paul Hayes,
School of Archeology and Anthropology
1312 1312
Glenn van der Kolk,
Master of Archaeological Science
After nearly 30 years in the
Australian Defence Force, Glenn van
der Kolk decided he was ready for a
career change.
He had traveled the world during his
military career and been interested
in the local population everywhere
he went.
He was interested in their culture
and how they came to “be in place”.
“I was drawn to archaeology
because I saw it as a way for me to
investigate those interests more
formally and more deeply,”
Glenn said.
“Archaeology involves the
investigation and analysis of
human cultural material and I enjoy
the aspect of nding that material
and drawing conclusions from the
subsequent research and analysis.
I also love working outside.”
During his Masters degree, Glenn
has conducted detailed analysis of
human and faunal remains, ceramics,
and the chemical composition of
stone artefacts, and has prepared
samples for radiocarbon dating and
isotopic analysis.
He has been part of eld schools,
and helped excavate sites such as
the World War One trenches in the
Jerrabomberra Wetlands
near Canberra.
“But the most interesting thing I’ve
done is participate as a research
assistant for two eld seasons in the
Torres Strait with Senior Lecturer
Dr Duncan Wright.
The artefact collections from these
activities, and the subsequent
analysis, forms the basis for my
thesis.”
Anthropology
#1
in Australia
#9 globally
Development
studies
#1
in Australia
#10 globally
QS World University
Rankings by
Subject 2024
Australian Indigenous Studies
Make meaningful and informed decisions in Indigenous policy by
gaining a deep understanding of Australian languages, culture,
history and society.
Inclusive policymaking for Indigenous
communities
Australian Indigenous policy presents unique
challenges that demand a specialist skillset
to achieve effective solutions. Through your
postgraduate study at ANU, you’ll learn
instrumental insights into Indigenous and
community perspectives. Studying Indigenous
languages, linguistics and history provides another
viewpoint to deeply understand the speakers, their
societies, cultures and knowledge systems.
Through your studies, you will acquire the ability
to undertake social assessments and integrate
participatory practices into policymaking
processes. You will gain an understanding of the
principal ways in which critical social inquiry and
methods on Indigenous issues can be applied to
contemporary policy and practice.
ANU is home to some of the country’s foremost
experts in Indigenous languages, culture, policy and
history. Study with researchers from the Centre for
Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australia’s
leading social science research body focusing
on Indigenous economic and social policy from a
national perspective.
Choose your degree
You can study Australian Indigenous studies in the
following degrees:
• Indigenous policy in Master of Social Research
Methods
• Australian Indigenous languages, in a Master
or Graduate Certicate of General and Applied
Linguistics
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, in a
Master of History
• Master of Museum and Heritage Studies
• Graduate Certicate in the Repatriation of
Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects
Your future career
In studying Indigenous language, culture, policy and
history, you can seek employment in government,
Indigenous organisations, non-government
organisations, companies working in Indigenous
areas, or as an independent consultant. You will
learn the skills you need to take on a leadership role
in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation
of policy for government and non-government
agencies, community organisations and businesses
that engage with Indigenous people.
Our disciplines
Image: CASS PhD candidate Nardi Simpson speaking on behalf of
students at the 2021 CASS Awards night.
1514
More languages, more researchers
It’s no surprise that ANU is internationally renowned
for linguistics and languages, as it hosts the
largest concentration of linguists in the southern
hemisphere. We’re ranked 53st in the world for
our linguistics teaching and research, and third
in Australia for modern languages. We offer more
languages than any other Australian university, with
nearly 30 to choose from. As a student here, you’ll
work in our world-class language laboratories. ANU
linguists are engaged in cutting-edge eldwork and
research.
The Institute for Communication in Healthcare is an
international hub which undertakes interdisciplinary
research in healthcare communication to achieve
the goal of safe and compassionate healthcare.
Choose your degree
You can study linguistics and/or applied linguistics
with these degrees:
• Master of General and Applied Linguistics
• Graduate Certicate of General
and Applied Linguistics
• Diploma of Languages*
Your future career
Your Masters degree can lead to a PhD, literary
and technical translation or assist your career in
education, translation and interpreting, language
teaching, speech pathology, audiology, editing,
language policy, cross-cultural communication or
language documentation.
Professional outcomes
Fluency in another language and knowledge of how
language works opens doors across the business,
public and non-prot sectors. Even if you don’t
pursue work in translating and interpreting, you’ll
develop skills for an increasingly international
workforce. The ability to understand and empathise
with other perspectives is highly valued across
professions. Combined with the excellent research,
analysis and writing skills, you’ll advance right into
your new career.
* Postgraduate students have the opportunity to concurrently
learn your desired language under the Diploma of Languages
program —subject to ANU load policy.
Our disciplines
General & Applied Linguistics
In our multilingual, international age, communication makes the world
go around. Language allows us to articulate ideas and viewpoints, and
so much more. It’s a window into the cultural foundations of a society, a
reection of its history, values and aspirations.
Study a language at ANU:
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Burmese
Chinese
French
Gamilaraay
German
Hindi
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Literary Chinese
Mongolian
Persian
Portuguese
Russian
Sanskrit
Spanish
Tetum
Thai
Tibetan
Tok Pisin
Turkish
Vietnamese
Advanced English
Language
Linguistics
#4
in Australia
#53 globally
QS World University Rankings
by Subject 2024
1716
Rachel
Graduate Certicate of General & Applied Linguistics
I chose to study the Graduate
Certicate of General & Applied
Linguistics because ANU is a world-
class university, and I’ve always been
fascinated by language. I’m curious
about the way we acquire and use
language in different contexts and
for a variety of purposes, from work
to study to just making a joke.
I’d always wanted to study linguistics
subjects in my undergraduate degree
but didn’t have enough electives.
The Graduate Certicate was a
chance for me to explore this area,
without committing to a whole
Master degree.
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Discoveries of the present are built upon and shaped by the ndings and
lessons of our past. Our guides through history are art, politics, culture and
more. Understanding, interpreting and sharing these stories will lead us to
a better future.
Our disciplines
History, heritage & culture
Diversity across disciplines
Our scholars of art history and curation, museum
and heritage studies and history include experts
whose outlook is international and research world-
renowned.
The School of History has three centres—
Biography, Environmental History, and Indigenous
History—are active and globally recognised
research hubs.
Explore intersections with memory studies and
public history, as well as anthropology, archaeology
and tourism through the Centre for Heritage and
Museum Studies.
Focus on a wide range of visual and material
culture with an emphasis on cross cultural and
interdisciplinary approaches and object-based
analysis in the Centre for Art History and Art
Theory. Or delve into interdisciplinary research
collaboration and industry engagement through
projects coordinated in the new lab within the
Centre for Digital Humanities Research.
So where better to study heritage, history and
culture than with some of Australia’s leading
academics in these elds? At ANU, you’re perfectly
placed to take advantage of our connections to the
National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum
of Australia and the National Library of Australia.
Choose your degree
You can study history, art history and heritage with
these degrees:
• Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies
• Master of Digital Humanities and Public Culture
• Master of Heritage Tourism Management
• Master of History
• Master of Museum and Heritage Studies
• Graduate Certicate of Museum and
Heritage Studies
• Graduate Certicate in the Repatriation of
Ancestral Remains and Cultural Objects
Your future career
Our postgraduate coursework programs will assist
you in advancing your career in art galleries,
museums and other cultural institutions; the arts,
heritage and collections sectors; the commercial
world of culture and art; teaching and education;
the editorial and publishing worlds; the public
history sector; lm, radio, television and multimedia;
the library and archives sector; or in specialist
environmental and heritage advisory services.
Professional outcomes
Along with advanced technical skills, after studying
history and culture at ANU, you’ll gain a sound
ability to review, analyse, and synthesise historical
and cultural materials, which can be applied across
varied elds. You’ll also develop critical thinking
and communication skills, particularly in explaining
complex ideas to a non-specialist audience.
History
#1
in Australia
#13 globally
QS World University Rankings
by Subject 2024
Image: UK Frederick, 2018
1918 1918
“ANU made me feel happy, at
peace, and I enjoyed every day of
my life there. Without ANU, I would
not have been able to nd such a
good job.”
Jiani Li, Master of Museum and
Heritage Studies
Many people pursue further
study driven by passion. Master
of Museum and Heritage Studies
alumna Jiani Li was motivated by, of
all things, boredom.
She had majored in archaeology at
her hometown university in China,
but found her undergraduate
museum courses to be as boring as
her provincial museum.
And so, Jiani explains, “When I
was thinking about my graduate
study, I chose museum and heritage
studies—because I really want to
know how I can create interesting
exhibitions.”
This desire led Jiani to ANU. She was
attracted to the national university
by its top Australian ranking in
anthropology, and because she felt
that Canberra was a peaceful place
to study.
After returning to China, Jiani landed
a job with the cultural heritage
research team in the Chinese
Academy of Cultural Heritage
(CACH). She undertook research as
part of the archaeological heritage
interpretation, conservation and
exhibition program, and helped
colleagues working on multimedia
interpretations.
Then, she was ‘loaned out’ to
the National Cultural Heritage
Administration (NCHA), which CACH
sits under. She currently works there
as a Foreign Affairs Ofcer by day,
and continues her research in her
off-hours.
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Human society
What motivates people to behave the way they do? Social norms cover the way
we interact with one another at all levels. Whether you look at this from the
perspective of an anthropologist, criminologist, or other social scientist, you will
gain unique insights that will help you shape society in the future.
Our disciplines
Understand the dynamics of human
behaviour and social practice
There are a multitude of ways to view human
society, and you can study most of those
perspectives at ANU. With our programs, you will
develop highly specialised expertise that you’ll be
ready to apply in the workplace.
You can pursue studies in criminology with the
Master of Social Research Methods. Or employ a
humanities and social science lens to understand
overlapping threats to social, ecological, political,
economic, and health systems. The Master of
Anthropology and Planetary Futures offers
specialist streams in ethnography and research
methods; inequality and development; health,
food, and sustainability; gender, embodiment,
and technology; empire, colony, and Indigeneity;
migration and conict; human/other-than-human
relations, and the opportunity to attend eld
schools in Australia and overseas.
POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research. The
Centre has a long record of social policy research
and policy and social impact. The Centre has
established reputation as a leader in the eld.
There is a growing need for more credible evidence-
based public policy.
Choose your degree
You can study human society with these degrees:
• Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures
• Master of Archaeological and
Evolutionary Science
• Master of Social Research Methods: focus on
demographic analysis or analysing crime
and justice
• Graduate Certicate of Cross-Cultural Analysis
• Graduate Certicate of Social Research
Your future career
Your new social research and eld research
skills will assist you in advancing your career.
There is a growing demand for expertise in social
research methods in government, foreign affairs,
international government and statistical agencies,
education, journalism, consultancies, banks,
local and international aid agencies, multilateral
organisations, and international business.
212020
Stephen
Graduate Certicate of
Social Research
Data is essential to good decision
making. Knowing how people
behave, what they think, and what
they desire is the vital basis for
making decisions that can best
address their needs in a
changing society.
Understanding how to use this
data and turn it into solutions
that resonate is at the heart of
the Graduate Certicate of Social
Research.
“If you’re at all interested in people
then you need social research skills,
whether it be to examine the impact
of social media on people’s lives, to
examine how people think, through
to evaluating policies & programs
meant to improve people’s lives.”
Stephen has qualications in
psychology and sociology, and has
worked as a psychologist, education
manager, and senior policy ofcer,
across the tertiary, community, and
public sectors. He wants to expand his
existing skills and gain new ones.
“I want to gain social research skills
in both qualitative and quantitative
methods & expand upon existing
skills at the postgraduate level.”
Social research touches on decision
making at every level of government,
and across a myriad of issues that
affect us every day.
Stephen recognises many pressing
issues in Australia today rely on
better understanding to nd a
solution, including moving to fossil
fuel free sustainable communities
and confronting the effects of
climate change, developing a First
Nations treaty and voice in all
levels of government, and working
on improving health & education
generally, but specically in health
and science literacy.
Professional outcomes
In the anthropology-focused degrees, you’ll develop
important research skills such as ethnographic
research, (which involves participant-observation),
interviewing, and eldwork). In studying
criminology, you will learn skills such as data
analytics, and advance your specialised knowledge
in criminal behaviour, from cybersecurity and
cybercrime to the social and cultural dimensions of
crime, justice and regulation.
Anthropology
#1
in Australia
#9 globally
Sociology
#1
in Australia
#19 globally
QS World University Rankings
by Subject 2024
Politics
#1
in Australia
#8 globally
Social policy
#1
in Australia
#14 globally
QS World University
Rankings by
Subject 2024
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Political science & public policy
Gain a new perspective on power dynamics and contemporary political affairs
on a domestic and international level. Whether international diplomacy or
public social policy, it is government decisions that play a critical role in
shaping our world.
Study at the epicentre of Australian
government
ANU is Australia’s leading institution for theoretical
and empirical research in social sciences, with an
international reputation for exceptional teaching.
As a postgraduate student, you’ll have access
to some of the foremost experts in the eld, our
extensive libraries and research resources, national
institutions and international organisations.
Study political science to learn the analytical
tools that you need to answer critical questions
about contemporary political affairs, ranging from
election forecasting to ethnic conict. Or draw upon
the expertise in the Centre for Arab and Islamic
Studies to specialise in the Middle East and Central
Asian region.
Choose your degree
You can study political science or public policy with
these degrees:
• Master of Middle Eastern and Central
Asian Studies
• Master of Political Science (offered jointly with
the ANU College of Asia and the Pacic)
• Master of Social Research Methods: focus on
policy analysis or politics and society
• Graduate Certicate of Social Research
• Graduate Certicate of Middle Eastern & Central
Asian Studies
Your future career
A political science or geographic area studies
qualication will assist you in advancing your
career in government, foreign affairs, international
government and statistical agencies, education,
journalism, consulting companies, banks, local
and international aid agencies, multilateral
organisations, and international business.
Professional outcomes
Through your studies in political science and public
policy, you’ll learn how to get to the heart of any
problem. Your research and analysis skills will
set you in good stead to provide evidence-based
solutions in any future job, whether in the private,
public or non-prot sectors.
Graduates of the Middle Eastern & Central Asian
Studies degree will acquire a range of skills
and knowledge including cultural and regional
expertise, diplomacy and communication, research
and analytics, language and linguistics and
problem solving.
Our disciplines
Dr AnasIqtait,
Middle Eastern and Central
Asian Studies
“From an academic perspective,
there’s always something going on.
The number of guests we have at
ANU, and the topics they cover, are
wide and intriguing.”
Originally from Palestine,
Anas already had a successful
international career, having worked
for Oxfam, the United Nations and
in international consulting rms.
A fascination with international
development and the political
economy of Palestine led him to
pursue further research at ANU
into foreign aid, rentier state theory
and the political economy of the
Palestinian Authority.
“When I rst started my research, I
realised that we still need to better
understand the effects of foreign
sources of income on political
entities and the way they govern,”
said Anas. “I’ve always been intrigued
by the impact of international aid
on the Palestinian people and in
Palestinian governments.”
For his research, Anas spent ve
months as a research fellow at
Birzeit University. Here, he was
able to conduct interviews with
Palestinian ofcials, people from
international organisations, civil
society and business, and these
formed the basis of his thesis.
As for his plans once he nishes his
studies?
“My ideal position after I nish my
PhD is to lecture at a university, and
at the same time work on policy,
whether it’s with international
organisations or with governments in
the developing world, including the
Palestinian government.”
2322 2322
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Specialised research hubs
At POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research
and the School of Demography, you’ll nd some of
the foremost researchers in their respective elds.
Each school is led by top researchers with cross-
disciplinary backgrounds, from economics and
econometrics to social policy and statistics.
Study demography to analyse population
issues with a focus on applying learning to real-
world scenarios. Acquire cutting-edge skills in
demographic techniques, research and writing.
Engage with social research to equip you with
the practical skills to conduct, commission and
evaluate research in the social sciences, and
extend your skills in advanced research methods,
applying your skills to real-world policy and
societal issues. Learn how to conduct robust social
research studies using quantitative and qualitative
research methodologies, and how to interpret and
present results.
Choose your degree
You can study demography and social research with
these degrees:
• Master of Social Research Methods
• Graduate Certicate of Social Research
• Graduate Certicate of Demography
Your future career
Your new social research skills will assist you
in advancing your career. There is a growing
demand for expertise in social research methods
in government, foreign affairs, international
government and statistical agencies, education,
journalism, consultancies, banks, local and
international aid agencies, multilateral
organisations, and international business.
Professional outcomes
Advanced research skills will see you excel in any
quantitative or qualitative research collection and
analysis. As business and government looks to make
more data-driven decisions, these skills will be in
high demand. With these sophisticated research
and analysis skills, you will be prepared to provide
evidence-based advice across the private, public
and non-prot sectors.
Our disciplines
Dr Qing Guan,
School of Demography
“I was drawn to ANU by its
reputation and rankings in the
global education market, and the
unique qualications in social
research it offers.”
Qing Guan came to Australia from
China seven years ago, drawn by
the stellar global reputation and
leading rankings of ANU.
Originally studying a Master
of Social Research, she found
electives in demographic theory and
technique sparked an interest in a
new direction, a direction she has
followed to this day, completing her
Master of Demography and moving
onto pursue a PhD.
It was not only the theory and
techniques of demography that
drew her to the eld, but also her
own background. Migrating from
China, her research work focuses on
understanding how migrants come
to Australia, how they live here, and
why they stay. An interest born of her
own background, she now uses it to
inform her path as a researcher, and
to address the real world issues of
our growing multicultural society.
Completing her nal Master’s thesis,
Qing found that the intense research
on a single question inspired her to
pursue it further. She explored a topic
close to her heart in her PhD: the
demographics and experiences of
Chinese migration to Australia.
Supervising Qing’s PhD was Professor
James Raymer, whose own research
and techniques guided her journey as
a researcher, helping her to uncover
new insights.
Social research & demography
How will growing and shifting populations shape our world? What motivates
and drives social behaviour? New methods of data collection, research
and analysis are essential so we can make informed decisions in a rapidly
changing environment.
2524
Social Policy
#1
in Australia
#14 globally
QS World University Rankings by
Subject 2024
1
st
in Australia
ANU is ranked #1 in Australia
(and in the top-20 in the world) for
9 disciplines across humanities,
arts and social sciences.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Expand your practice
Dedicate yourself to honing your skills as an artist
at ANU. At the School of Art & Design you’ll have
access to our world-class teachers and cutting-
edge workshop facilities encouraging specialisation
and hybrid practice across the disciplines of
ceramics, design, glass, painting, photography and
media arts, printmedia and drawing, sculpture and
spatial practice and textiles.
Plus, the nation’s premier cultural institutions and
thriving local art scene are on your doorstep.
You’ll also benet from our artist-in-residence
program which brings some of the world’s most
experienced artists to work within the School,
and our international exchange network which
could take you to some of the most prestigious
art institutions in the world. ANU also boasts The
Makerspace, where you can create and connect with
other students across the university.
Visual Arts is about practice-led research to
advance your conceptual thinking through studio
practice. It’s about deepening, broadening but
also specialising and rening your skills through
feedback, testing, and development to discover
what drives you as an artist.
Choose your degree
You can study art and design with these degrees:
• Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies
• Master of Contemporary Art Practices
Your future career
A postgraduate coursework degree in visual arts or
design will assist you in advancing your career as a
practicing artist, designer, teacher or professional
in the arts and design industries. It will also
create opportunities for employment in museums,
galleries, the public sector and private enterprise.
Professional outcomes
Studying Masters level visual arts or design will
build skills that you’ll use in your practice every
day. As well as advancing technical skills in your
craft, you’ll hone your ability to effectively link
research, theory and practice—skills you can use
when applying for grants, approaching galleries,
and beyond the arts sector. Build your professional
network at the centre of Canberra’s arts community,
and work with the dozens of international visiting
artists we host each year.
Our disciplines
Shanti Shea An
Master of Art History and
Curatorial Studies
“I really liked how at rst we were
immersed in studio practice and
there was this tradition of materials
I found really interesting as well.
Then when I did art theory courses
we were introduced to other
disciplines, but it was always
through the language of art.
Doing theory and history alongside
practice enriched my love of the
medium and allowed me to see
it within the context of a broader
framework and within society and
history as a whole.”
Beata Tworek
Master of Contemporary Practices
in Art and Design (Master of
Contemporary Art Practices)
“I’m at the postgraduate level, so
obviously it involves a lot of in-depth
research at a higher level of theory
and practice and ability to think
creatively than what is required at
the undergraduate level. I’m actually
partially retired now, which allows
me to enjoy my degree.”
2726
Visual arts & design
Whether digital or physical, beautiful or practical, art is a reection of our
time. Design goes further than the art and craft of making, and shapes our
fast-moving world. It’s about applied creativity, engagement and
collaboration.
2726
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Beyond ANU campus Apply today
Studying at the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences opens
doors to a world of exchanges, internships and eld schools, so you
can expand your education.
The Australian National
Internships Program
The Australian National Internships Program (ANIP)
is a prestigious program that places students in
workplaces across government, the non-prot and
private sectors.
This includes the Australian Parliament,
ACT Legislative Assembly, government departments
and agencies, embassies and diplomatic missions,
national cultural institutions, leading NGOs,
think-tanks and policy research centres. Admission is
highly selective and based on academic performance,
research skills and public engagement.
For further information, visit anip.anu.edu.au
Fieldwork
There are a number of eld schools and eldwork
opportunities located in Asia and the Pacic such as
Indonesia, Vietnam and islands including Fiji, Solomon
Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, New Caledonia,
French Polynesia, Hawaii, Kiribati and Papua New
Guinea.
Coursework students undertaking eldwork do
so as part of normal course enrolment. Funding
opportunities may be available for eldwork, so
discuss options with a Student Ofce administrator.
For research students, eldwork is an integral part of
many research programs and covers a wide range of
data-gathering activities. Discussions about eldwork
should begin early in the candidature.
Explore
For further information on anything you’ve seen
here, visit: cass.anu.edu.au
Postgraduate coursework
You can apply to start most postgraduate qualications
in either semester one or semester two.
Check programsandcourses.anu.edu.au for
requirements and application dates.
Domestic students
All domestic students can apply for postgraduate
coursework programs through the Universities
Admission Centre (UAC): uac.edu.au/postgraduate
Note: Approval of an identied supervisor for the
research project/thesis is also required for admission
into any Masters (Advanced) degree or PhD.
International students
International applicants can check the latest
information for dates and programs on the application
webpage at
anu.edu.au/study/apply/international-applications-
undergraduate-and-postgraduate
PhD and MPhil
Along with your research proposal and the name of
your supervisor, you will need academic transcripts,
your CV, details of at least two nominated referees.
Applications can be submitted online at any time
during the year.
For a detailed guide to the application process:
cass.anu.edu.au/study/higher-degree-research
Join the ANU alumni network
When you graduate from ANU, you become a lifelong
member of our alumni community and part of a diverse
group of individuals across the globe. Whether your
interests are in future study, building a career, travel
or reconnecting with fellow alumni, the ANU Alumni
Program offers you plenty of benets.
Scholarships
The University and CASS offer a range of scholarships
to postgraduate coursework and research students.
Most of our scholarships are funded by donors and
benefactors, external organisations and the Australian
Government. ANU celebrates and supports the
diversity of our student cohort and offers scholarship
opportunities for both domestic and international
students.
The Academic Excellence Masters Scholarship is
available for international students who have applied
for admission to a Master or Master Advanced Degree
offered by the College.
The Indigenous Australian Graduate Coursework
Scholarship is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander students undertaking full-time or part-time
study in any graduate coursework program offered by
CASS. Funding for this award has been provided by
CASS and offered to Australian Indigenous graduate
coursework students in the spirit of the College’s
ongoing commitment to practical reconciliation.
PhD & MPhil applicants will automatically be
considered for government funded (AGRTP —
Australian Government Research Training Program
Stipend Scholarship) and ANU funded scholarships
(URS — University Research Scholarships).
For more information and to check your eligibility, visit:
anu.edu.au/students/scholarships-fees
2928 2928
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Our degrees
Graduate certicates
A Graduate Certicate or Diploma can help you explore your areas of interest and further your career,
and act as a pathway to a Master degree.
The minimum academic requirement is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum
GPA of 4/7 and all applicants must meet program-specic academic entry requirements including English
language requirements.
Learn more at cass.anu.edu.au/study/short-courses
Degree Description
Graduate Certicate of the
Repatriation of Ancestral
Remains and Cultural Objects
As repatriation accelerates, this unique Graduate Certicate meets the need
for advanced knowledge in Indigenous ancestral remains and cultural materials
repatriation. Essential amid rising interest, it can be a key qualication if you work in
museum, government or Indigenous organisations.
Graduate Certicate of Cross-
Cultural Analysis
Designed for those understanding people in specic contexts, this program equips
students with critical thinking to analyse human lives cross-culturally. It emphasizes
ethnography in anthropological research, exploring interdisciplinary applications.
Includes Indigenous knowledges, gender analysis, global multicultural contexts.
Graduate Certicate of
Demography
This program provides students with an opportunity to study population issues in a
research-led environment, with a focus on applying learning to real-world scenarios.
Graduate Certicate of General
and Applied Linguistics
This program will introduce you to linguistic theory, analysis, and associated
methodologies, and offer the opportunity to study language as a cognitive, social,
and historical process.
Graduate Certicate of Middle
Eastern and Central Asian
Studies
Study in small groups with country experts and gain a deep regional grounding from
multiple interdisciplinary perspectives, including contemporary politics, international
relations, modern history, political economy, development studies, sociology, and
religious and cultural studies.
Graduate Certicate of Museum
and Heritage Studies
Drawing on our strong connections with Canberra’s leading cultural and collecting
institutions, this program prepares you for a career in museum and heritage studies.
Graduate Certicate of Social
Research
This program will provide you with an introduction to the skills required to
understand a changing Australian and global society, as well as the political,
demographic and economic forces that shape and drive these changes.
Graduate Certicate of Studies A exible option for postgraduate studies at ANU for students whose needs are not
met by following a program of study in a single academic discipline.
Master programs
Admission to our Master degrees is on a competitive basis and meeting all admission requirements does not
automatically guarantee entry. The minimum academic requirement is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent
with a minimum GPA of 5/7 and all applicants must meet program-specic academic entry requirements (if
applicable) including English language requirements. If you are looking to study the Master of General and Applied
Linguistics, Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Master of Museum and Heritage Studies, Master of
Heritage Tourism Management, Master of Political Science or Master of Archaeological and Evolutionary Science,
and if you have a cognate degree, you may be able to fast-track your Master degree by 6 or 12 months.
Most of the Master programs below also have an advanced option, which you may transfer to after at least 24 units
with GPA 6/7 and the written agreement of an academic staff member to supervise your thesis.
Learn more at cass.anu.edu.au/study/master-degrees
Degree
Duration
Description
Prerequisite
Subjects
Master of Anthropology
and Planetary Futures
1 Offering Australia’s only combined biological and cultural approach to
grasp these planetary scale problems while foregrounding anthropology’s
unique ethnographic method, which centres grounded and people-focused
perspectives and values.
Yes
Master of Archaeological
and Evolutionary Science
2 Giving you access to world-class laboratory facilities to enhance your
practical, analytical, and interpretive skills in the world of archaeology and
evolutionary science.
No
Master of Art History and
Curatorial Studies
1 Offering the opportunity to study Australian, Asian and Western art across a
wide-range of periods with our award-winning specialist art historians.
Yes
Master of Contemporary
Art Practices
1 A practice-focused, cross-disciplinary degree aimed at artists who
want to develop independent creative practice which incorporates
research methodologies.
Yes
Master of Digital
Humanities and
Public Culture
1 Develop expertise in digital humanities or public humanities and culture while
obtaining cutting-edge skills in digital technologies and research.
Yes
Master of General and
Applied Linguistics
1.5 Focused on the nature, use and structure of language, this program allows
you to choose courses to explore your special areas of interest, possibly
including a language.
No
Master of Heritage
Tourism Management
1.5 Offering a systematic understanding of tourism within heritage management.
With our global cultural network, the program provides unique opportunities
for students to develop both theoretical and practical skills in critical analysis
of global heritage tourism.
No
Master of History 1 Study alongside internationally renowned historians with the resources
of Canberra’s national institutions at your fingertips in an area tailored
specifically for you.
Yes
Master of Middle Eastern
and Central Asian Studies
1.5 Explore the politics, international relations, modern history, languages and
political economy of the Middle East and Central Asia while drawing on our
international partners.
No
Master of Museum and
Heritage Studies
1.5 Drawing on our strong connections with Canberra’s leading cultural
and collecting institutions, this program allows students to undertake
internships in the eld.
No
Master of
Political Science
1.5 Providing you with the analytical tools needed to answer critical questions
about contemporary political affairs ranging from election forecasting to
ethnic conict.
No
Master of Social
Research Methods
1 Taught by active practitioners with a wealth of experiences, this program
gives you the practical skills to conduct, commission and evaluate research in
the social sciences.
Yes
3130
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Notes Notes
3332
Postgraduate Guide 2025
Contact us
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