Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Security

Undergraduate | 2026

Mode

On Campus

Start date

February, July

Campus

Adelaide City, Magill

Duration

3 year(s) full-time

Program code

BARTS

Study as

Full-time

Indicative annual fees

$41,300

Non-tuition fees

Prerequisite

None

Assumed knowledge

None

English language requirements

IELTS Overall 6.5 IELTS Reading 6.0 IELTS Listening 6.0 IELTS Speaking 6.0 IELTS Writing 6.0 Equivalent English qualifications

CRICOS code

115677K

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

Secondary education (Year 12)

Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.

Higher education study

Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at Adelaide University. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

IELTS Overall 6.5
IELTS Reading 6.0
IELTS Listening 6.0
IELTS Speaking 6.0
IELTS Writing 6.0

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by Adelaide University and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements:

Equivalent English qualifications

International admissions by country

Country	Requirement	Score
Australia	ATAR	70
Bangladesh	Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)	4.80
China	Gaokao	60%
China	Maple Leaf Education Systems World School Program	65%
Global	International Baccalaureate	25
Hong Kong	Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)	16
India	CBSE and CISCE	70
India	State Board Examinations	80
Indonesia	SMA III	75%
Kenya	Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)	B+
Malaysia	Matrikulasi	2.67
Malaysia	Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)	2.67
Malaysia	United Entrance Certificate (UEC)	23
Nepal	National Examinations Board (NEB)	2.81
Philippines	High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12	86%
Singapore	Singapore GCE Advanced Levels	7
Sri Lanka	GCE A Levels	8
Taiwan	GSAT %	60%
Thailand	Matayom 6	3.20
UK / Global	GCE Advanced Levels	7
UK / Global	NCUK	7
USA / Global	Advanced Placement (AP)	7
USA / Global	America College Test (ACT)	21
USA / Global	Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)	1100
Vietnam	Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thôxwng (Vietnamese Year 12)	7.8

Why Bachelor of Arts?

Interested in global politics? Craving intellectual stimulation? Aspire to work in international environments?

If you’re passionate about making the world a safer, more stable place, international security is for you.

Explore the complexities of global politics, terrorism and warfare. Study pressing issues like globalisation, religious extremism, nuclear weapons, cybercrime, food security, environmental degradation and natural disasters.

Build the skills to be part of the solution and contribute to security policies on the global stage. You’ll open doors to roles in government agencies, NGOs, private security firms and international organisations like the United Nations and NATO.

Overview

Our Bachelor of Arts is broad, flexible and future-focused.

The International Security major gives you an in-depth and nuanced understanding of regional and global security challenges facing Australia and its allies in the Indo-Pacific. The program is challenging and comprehensive, building critical analytical and strategic skills to address traditional and emerging security threats. Learn to solve complex problems, assess risks and make informed policy choices. Explore international negotiations, crisis decision-making, terrorism, ethics, security and justice in Australia – and beyond. Engage with international security experts through guest lectures, workshops and hands-on internships.

You’ll graduate with advanced skills for assessing and addressing complex regional and international security threats. Your expertise will be in demand across public and private sectors, including security, government, NFPs and media. Your knack for sharp analysis and strategic problem-solving will also set you apart in international business or management careers.

Key features

Explore legal and ethical frameworks governing international relations and security.
Develop valuable, transferable skills, like analytical thinking, problem-solving and strategic decision-making.
Learn to analyse complex situations, assess risks and make informed policy decisions.
Build your professional network, engaging with experts and active researchers in the field.
Learn about employment possibilities in international security to clarify your future career.
Devise strategic solutions for real-world problems in an industry internship.

What you'll learn

Our Bachelor of Arts offers unmatched flexibility, letting you tailor your degree to align with your aspirations and professional ambitions. The program fosters innovative and ethical thinking, so you can meet the challenges of a fast-changing future. Improve your communication skills, learning to express your thoughts with clarity and influence. Expand your cultural awareness, adaptability and cooperative teamwork skills. Develop independent learning techniques that will benefit you throughout your professional journey.

In the International Security major, you’ll take exciting, future-focused courses, including:

Introduction to international security
Security, justice and rights
Terrorism and global politics
Strategic cultures and grand strategies in the Indo-Pacific
Decolonising security
Threatening periphery: global security and state marginalisation
Security in Asia: managing critical challenges in Australia’s backyard
International negotiations and crisis decision making.

Our research-active staff, including a Professor of International Security, integrate research expertise directly into the curriculum, meaning you gain cutting-edge insights. Our faculty members are chief investigators on multiple recent projects including Defence Strategic Policy Grants on networked security architecture and statecraft in the Pacific Islands and ARC Discovery Grants on the Australia-New Zealand Alliance, the Proscription of Terrorist Organisations in Illiberal States, political reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific, and state-building in Melanesia. We also collaborate with the Department of Defence and the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre. Our staff are current editors of the Australian Journal of International Affairs, Australia's leading journal on international relations and security, so you can be sure your teachers are experienced, and industry connected.

Our Bachelor of Arts also allows you to explore further by taking another major in a different area. You can pursue interdisciplinary studies to complement your International Security journey.

Majors

The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:

What courses you'll study

Complete 144 units comprising:

18 units for Core courses, and
96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
12 units for all Electives

Complete 18 units comprising:

18 units from Common core

	Course code	Units
Course name UG Common Core 1	Course code AUXX1000	Units 6
Course name UG Common Core 2	Course code AUXX2000	Units 6
Course name UG Common Core 3	Course code AUXX3000	Units 6

Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:

	Course code	Units
Course name Introduction to International Security	Course code POLI1009	Units 6
Course name Security, Justice and Rights	Course code POLI1010	Units 6
Course name Terrorism and Global Politics	Course code POLI2007	Units 6
Course name Strategic Cultures and Grand Strategies in the Indo-Pacific	Course code POLI2008	Units 6
Course name Decolonising Security	Course code POLI2009	Units 6
Course name Threatening Periphery: Global Security and State Marginalisation	Course code POLI3018	Units 6
Course name Security in Asia: Managing Critical Challenges in Australia’s Backyard	Course code POLI3019	Units 6
Course name International Negotiations and Crisis Decision Making	Course code POLI3020	Units 6

Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:

	Course code	Units
Course name Professional Pathways and Destinations 1	Course code SOCI1007	Units 6
Course name Professional Pathways and Destinations 2	Course code SOCI2019	Units 6
Course name Society and Culture Internship	Course code SOCI3902	Units 6

Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:

Course name		Course code	Units
	Course name Elective 1	Course code AUXX1011	Units 6
	Course name Elective 2	Course code AUXX1012	Units 6

Complete one Major from the following:

	Course code	Units
Course name Aboriginal Studies	Course code ABORBARTS	Units 48
Course name Anthropology	Course code ANTHBARTS	Units 48
Course name Archaeology and Classical Studies	Course code ARCYBARTS	Units 48
Course name Art History and Visual Culture	Course code ARTHBARTS	Units 48
Course name Creative Writing	Course code CREWBARTS	Units 48
Course name English Literature	Course code ENGLBARTS	Units 48
Course name Environmental Management	Course code ENVMBARTS	Units 48
Course name French Studies	Course code FRENBARTS	Units 48
Course name Geography	Course code GEOGBARTS	Units 48
Course name German Studies	Course code GERMBARTS	Units 48
Course name Chinese Studies	Course code CHINBARTS	Units 48
Course name Cultural Studies	Course code CULTBARTS	Units 48
Course name Gender and Sexuality Studies	Course code GENDBARTS	Units 48
Course name History	Course code HISTBARTS	Units 48
Course name International Development	Course code INTDBARTS	Units 48
Course name Italian Studies	Course code ITALBARTS	Units 48
Course name Japanese Studies	Course code JAPNBARTS	Units 48
Course name Linguistics and Applied Linguistics	Course code LINGBARTS	Units 48
Course name Philosophy	Course code PHILBARTS	Units 48
Course name Politics	Course code POLIBARTS	Units 48
Course name Population and Migration Studies	Course code POPUBARTS	Units 48
Course name Screen Studies	Course code SCRNBARTS	Units 48
Course name Sociology	Course code SOCIBARTS	Units 48
Course name Spanish Studies	Course code SPANBARTS	Units 48
Course name Social Research and Policy Analysis	Course code SOCRBARTS	Units 48

Career outcomes

Adelaide University sets you up to navigate complex security challenges and careers. You could be an undercover spy for an intelligence agency like the CIA or MI6. You might lead international efforts to combat election interference. Perhaps you’ll oversee future interstellar affairs with extraterrestrial entities.

You could also be a:

Diplomat
Security advisor
Defence policy analyst
Political commentator
Foreign affairs reporter
National security lawyer
Intelligence analyst
Security risk analyst
Security operation analyst
Cyber threat responder
International engagement officer
Espionage ethicist
International regulations manager
Civil servant.

You can pursue careers in international security at the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australian Signals Directory and Lockheed Martin Australia Pty Ltd.

Industry trends

With wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and increased tensions across the Indo-Pacific, the demand for professionals with knowledge and training in international security will only grow. Recognising this need, the Australian Government has endorsed the Defence Strategic Review's (2023) recommendation for a comprehensive, nationwide strategy to enhance Australia’s defence capabilities, including increased funding. This indicates there will be more career opportunities for international security experts, with roles expanding in policy development, strategic analysis and national defence planning. In a world where security threats are increasingly complex and interconnected –from cyber-attacks to global pandemics – your expertise will be extremely valuable. Ready to step up?

How to apply

Check your eligibility

Before you begin, find the degree you wish to study and check you meet the academic entry requirements and English language requirements.

Entry requirements

Gather your relevant documents

Ensure you have all supporting documentation needed at the time of application to avoid delays.

How to apply

Complete and send your application

Apply through one of the University’s official agency partners, or via our online application system.

Apply now

How to apply

Applications for international students are open now, to begin your studies in 2026.

Apply through one of the University’s official Education Agents, or via our International Application System.

Find an Education Agent

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may be required to apply through one of our Education Agents.

Find an education agent in your country

FAQs

Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Applications for Australian students to study at Adelaide University will open in August 2025. Applications will be via SATAC for most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.

Applications to study a 100% online degree will open in July 2025 via a direct application process.

In the meantime, you could start your studies at UniSA or the University of Adelaide in 2025 and continue on to Adelaide University in 2026.

Adelaide University is South Australia’s largest university with seven campuses across the state. Adelaide City Campus is in the heart of the central business district (including eastern and western precincts), while our Magill, Mawson Lakes and Waite campuses are located within the inner suburbs of Adelaide. Our Mount Gambier, Roseworthy and Whyalla campuses are set in the regions of South Australia. Building on our digital and online learning successes, we aim to also deliver online education to more students than any other Australian university.

Each of our campuses is equipped with cutting-edge, discipline specific facilities, contemporary study spaces and well-resourced libraries. Our city and suburban campuses also feature on-site gyms and eateries, and health services on, or nearby, campus.

You will be well supported academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually with access to on-campus facilities and services such as counselling, learning support, childcare, prayer rooms and more.

You will be well supported through a range of services at Adelaide University to ensure you get the most out of your student experience. Support services include:

Academic learning support, spanning assistance with writing, referencing, mathematics and more.
Advice and advocacy regarding access, adjustments and inclusivity if you have a disability, impairment, chronic health condition or significant caring responsibilities.
Libraries providing flexible study spaces, access to books, computer suites and online resources – as well as referencing support, search tips and more.
Career development hub, including extensive self-help resources, online learning programs, on-campus events, workshops and networking, one-on-one advice, and job search support.
Qualified counsellors who can provide confidential support to manage your mental health and wellbeing.
On-campus medical clinics on-site where you can make an appointment with a General Practitioner to discuss acute and preventative health care matters.
Information and advice for international students regarding accommodation, student life, and academic policies and procedures.
An active and visible LGBTIQA+ Ally Network that ensures the University provides a supportive environment where all staff and students can safely work and study free of harassment or discrimination.
Prayer rooms on campus, including gender specific spaces for worship purposes.
Campus security available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure all students feel safe on campus.
A range of scholarships offered to commencing and continuing students each year to make university life a little easier.
A number of social outlets including student lounges, gyms, student-led clubs, sports teams and free events throughout the year.

Your tuition fees will depend on your program of study and enrolment load. You can find the annual fees relevant to your program on the specific degree page under the ‘fees’ section. The annual fee payable for your chosen program will also be outlined in your Offer of Admission.

Adelaide University will open in January 2026. Your studies will start at different times depending on what study period you’ve applied for. Adelaide University is currently using a semester model, which means most degrees start in Semester 1. Some degrees are also available to start in mid-year, sometimes with a different degree structure. 

Studies at Adelaide University typically commence in:  

February for Semester 1  
July for Semester 2.

Some degrees, such as the Bachelor of Medical Studies and Master of Business Administration, will have different starting dates. View the relevant degree page for more detail. 

For other key dates, including census dates and exam periods, you can view the Academic calendar. 

View all FAQs

Your study experience and support

Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.

You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.

Student services

We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:

Career advice and mentoring services
Personal counselling
LGBTQIA+ support
Academic support
Fees and finance help
Security services
Accommodation services
Common rooms
Prayer rooms.

You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.

Your campus

You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.

This degree is offered at the following campus(es)

Study hours

Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include: