The graduate program in Policy Studies applies a social science perspective to questions of policy and policy management. Students acquire a solid grounding in policy analysis and the policy process.

The program prepares students for work which requires analytical skills and a practical appreciation of policy-making and implementation. The program is oriented to the practice of policy, and students are required to have relevant work experience. This may be in the public sector, unions, business organisations or community bodies.

The Graduate Diploma in Policy Studies (program 5280, plan code SLSPBS5280) requires students to complete the two core courses of the Master of Policy Studies program plus two approved electives.

1. A Graduate Diploma may be awarded by the Council to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed a program of advanced study.

Qualifications
2. (1) A candidate for the Graduate Diploma shall have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Standing Committee of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Committee).

(2) An applicant who submits evidence of such other academic or professional attainments as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the diploma.

(3) If the Committee is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by the applicant the Committee may require the applicant to undergo such assessment or carry out such work as the Committee may prescribe, before permitting enrolment.

Enrolment and Progression
3. (1) An application to enrol as candidate shall be made on the prescribed form which shall be lodged with the Registrar at least two calendar months before the commencement of the session in which enrolment is to begin.

(2) A candidate for the diploma shall be required to undertake such formal courses and pass such assessment as prescribed.

(3) The progress of a candidate shall be reviewed at least once annually by the Committee and as a result of its review the Committee may cancel enrolment or take such other action as it considers appropriate.

(4) No candidate shall be awarded the diploma until the lapse of two academic sessions from the date of enrolment in the case of a full-time candidate or four sessions in the case of a part-time candidate. The maximum period of candidature shall be four academic sessions from the date of enrolment for a full-time candidate and six sessions for a part-time candidate. In special cases an extension of these times may be granted by the Committee.

Fees
4. A candidate shall pay such fees as may be determined from time to time by the Council.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following web-page:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Applicants should hold a Bachelor degree in any field from an approved university or college of advanced education and have significant work experience in an area appropriate to the degree program. An exception to the degree requirement may be made if the applicant has general and professional experience acceptable to the School. Note that students whose first language is not English may need to meet an English proficiency requirement.