The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at the National Security College is a two-year, research-intensive postgraduate degree designed to produce original scholarship in the areas of national security policy, operations, and theory. Unlike a standard taught masters, this program combines a structured coursework component with a supervised research thesis of up to 60,000 words, requiring students to make a genuine contribution to knowledge in their chosen area of national security. The program operates within a uniquely positioned institution — established as a joint initiative between the Australian Government and a leading research university — to develop integrated, academically rigorous and policy-relevant expertise among current and future leaders in the national security community.

The study of national security through this degree encompasses a wide array of disciplines including political theory, social policy, history, legal studies, international relations, and economics. Students can focus their research on key policy issues affecting Australia, the Indo-Pacific region, or global governance challenges — spanning topics such as terrorism, cyber threats, foreign interference, intelligence, geoeconomics, energy security, civil-military relations, and emerging technology risks. The interdisciplinary and theoretically rich nature of the program equips graduates to engage at the cutting edge of both international academic scholarship and real-world policy practice.

Graduates of this degree are sought by a broad range of employers, including federal government departments (Defence, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Treasury), intelligence agencies (ASIO, ASIS, ASD, ONI, AGO), the Australian Federal Police, think tanks, international organisations such as the United Nations and ASEAN-related bodies, and the private sector in risk management, consulting, and critical infrastructure protection. The program's close ties to the Commonwealth Government make it one of the most strategically connected postgraduate programs available to Australian and international students.

To be admitted to the Master of Philosophy program at the National Security College, applicants must have completed at least a three-year Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent international qualification) with a minimum result of Upper Second Class Honours (H2A/Distinction level). This typically equates to a GPA of around 5.5–6.0 out of 7.0 on the Australian scale. Equivalent overseas qualifications are considered, and in some cases, a combination of professional experience and qualifications may be assessed as meeting entry criteria. Admission is competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.

A key requirement unique to this research degree is the need to secure supervisory support before submitting a formal application. Prospective students must first develop a thesis proposal — outlining their research question, methodology, theoretical framework, and proposed contribution — and obtain written confirmation from at least two willing supervisors, with the primary supervisor required to be from the National Security College. Applicants must also provide contact details for at least three referees, of whom at least two must be academic.

All applicants must meet English language requirements. For international students, this typically means an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.5 overall (with no band below 6.0), or equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or similar recognised tests. Domestic students who completed their prior qualifications in English are generally exempt. Australian domestic research students enrolled under the Research Training Program (RTP) scheme are not required to pay tuition fees. Security clearance may also be required for access to certain classified research materials or internship placements within government agencies.