Qualification regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security

Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security requires that the candidate will meet the University admission requirements as specified, and shall:

(a) have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor's degree; or

(b) be able to demonstrate scholarly work in conjunction with extensive relevant professional experience for Admission with Equivalent Status.

Qualification requirements

2. Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security shall follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits, comprising:

(a) courses listed in the Schedule to the Diploma;

and including:

(b) any compulsory courses listed in the Schedule to the Diploma;

(c) attendance, as required, at contact workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories.

3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, with the permission of the Academic Board or their delegate, a candidate who has completed 149.821 whilst enrolled the Master of International Security may be permitted to substitute this course for a course or courses included in the schedule for the Diploma.

Specialisations

4. The Postgraduate Diploma in International Security is awarded with or without an endorsement.

5. Candidates may complete an endorsement by passing at least 60 credits in an endorsement. The requirements for each endorsement are set out in the Schedule to the Diploma.

6. The endorsements available for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security are: Defence, Border and Biosecurity, Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism.

Student progression

7. In cases of sufficient merit, the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security may be awarded with distinction or merit.

Completion requirements

8. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.

9. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in International Security should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

10. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Transitional provisions

11. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the diploma, candidates who commenced study towards the Terrorism endorsement prior to 01 January 2021 may elect to be awarded this specialisation title rather than the title ‘Counter-Terrorism’ on completion of the endorsement. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2024.

12. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the diploma, candidates who commenced study towards the Defence Studies endorsement prior to 01 January 2021 may elect to be awarded this specialisation title rather than the title ‘Defence’ on completion of the endorsement. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2024.

13. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the diploma, candidates who commenced study towards the Border and Biosecurity endorsement prior to 01 January 2022 may substitute 294770 (if already completed) for 294716. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2025.

Schedule for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security

Course planning key

Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Key terms for course planning

Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations: Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Compulsory course

294720 Security Concepts and Structures 30

This course develops core conceptual and structural understandings of the study of security. It outlines the philosophical frameworks underpinning the international security environment with particular attention given to foundational challenges in defence, terrorism, intelligence, regional security and border and biosecurity. Exploring these challenges provides a basis for examining a diverse range of international security factors, and evaluating the major ethical implications of security issues and responses.

Regulations for The Postgraduate Diploma in International Security - PGDipIntlSy