The Master of Strategic Studies is a postgraduate qualification focused on the theory and practice of national and international security, defence policy, geopolitics, and strategic affairs. The program equips students with advanced analytical frameworks to understand how political ends and military means interact, the origins and implications of armed conflict, and the challenges of an evolving global order. Core areas of study typically include Indo-Pacific security dynamics, Australian defence and foreign policy, counterterrorism, intelligence studies, great power competition, and the intersection of strategy with contemporary issues such as cyber security and emerging technologies. Students develop the ability to apply strategic concepts to real-world problems through case studies drawn from Australia, Asia, and global environments.

The degree is primarily designed for working professionals and graduates seeking to launch or advance careers in national security, strategic policy, intelligence, foreign affairs, defence, think tanks, and academia. It attracts a diverse cohort including serving military officers, Australian Public Service (APS) employees, diplomats, policy analysts, and recent graduates with backgrounds in political science, history, international relations, law, or social sciences. Programs are commonly structured to accommodate part-time study, recognising that many students hold demanding professional roles while completing their qualification.

Key employers of graduates include the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Office of National Intelligence (ONI), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), the Australian Federal Police, state and territory government agencies, private defence contractors, international organisations, NGOs, research institutes, and university-based think tanks. The qualification is highly valued across the Australian Public Service and the broader national security community.

Applicants to a Master of Strategic Studies typically require a completed bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised university. Most programs expect a minimum GPA — commonly equivalent to a credit average (around 5.0 on a 7-point scale or higher) — in a cognate discipline such as international relations and diplomacy, public policy and administration, political science, history, sociology, economics, law, or regional studies. Some programs allow applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA to qualify through relevant professional experience, typically requiring a minimum of three years of full-time equivalent work at a senior skills level (ANZSCO Skill Level 1) in a field related to strategic studies, defence, intelligence, or public policy.

Alternatively, applicants holding a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a related field with a satisfactory GPA may also be eligible for entry. Some institutions recognise prior postgraduate study — for example, completion of 48 units in a related postgraduate program — as meeting entry requirements. For those who do not initially meet admissions criteria, a Graduate Certificate of Strategic Studies often serves as a recognised pathway qualification, with credits transferable into the master's program upon completion.

International applicants are generally required to demonstrate English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS (typically an overall band of 6.5 or 7.0 with no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT, or equivalent. Recognised cognate disciplines for entry are broad, and applicants from military, law enforcement, government, and policy backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Some institutions may also accept GRE scores as part of their admissions process for applicants without a cognate degree.