The Murdoch Commission
The Murdoch Commission functions as an international and independent platform addressing contemporary policy challenges.
Find out moreWelcome to the Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy & International Affairs
The Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs offers students a unique opportunity to engage with big policy issues, develop high-level skills and build career opportunities through professional Masters degrees and other graduate programs.
Taking advantage of Murdoch University's long engagement with practical policy questions and deep expertise on Australia, Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, the Sir Walter Murdoch School offers degrees in Public Policy and Management, International Affairs, Development Studies and Health Policy and Leadership. Merit-based scholarships are available for both local and international students, as are student prizes.
Our faculty has recently been ranked as one of Australia's best for policy, politics and international studies (QS and ERA, 2015).
As Western Australia’s top-ranked program, we welcome students with undergraduate degrees in any subject, and offer advance standing to those who already have a background in public policy and international affairs.
Feel free to contact us to discuss your future at the Sir Walter Murdoch School.
News
Learn from professionals and leading academics in your chosen field.
Public Policy
We offer a Master of Public Policy and Management and Graduate Certificate of Policy and Development.
International Affairs
Our Master of International Affairs and Security is a genuinely multi-disciplinary professional degree.
Development
Find out more about our Master of Development Studies and Graduate Certificate of Policy and Development.
Health Policy
Advance your health career with the Sir Walter Murdoch program in Health Administration, Policy & Leadership.
Why choose the Sir Walter Murdoch School?
Practical learning
Apply your learning to a practical issue through a policy case study, a professional internship, or a supervised research thesis.
Learn more about our degreesFlexible schedules
Study full-time or part-time, according to your schedule. We offer evening and weekend units, or intensive study blocks.
View our study plansEvents and opportunities
Take advantage of the networking events and professional opportunities offered to all our students.
Read news and eventsLeading academics
Connect with leading academics, professional practitioners, and visiting scholars from Australia and around the world.
View academic profilesRecognition of prior learning
Use previous study or professional experience to help you complete your qualification in less time.
View our admission requirementsSmall class size
Learn face-to-face in small group seminars and workshops, designed to maximize your on-campus experience.
What it's like to study at MurdochWhat our graduates say
“I graduated from the Sir Walter Murdoch School with a Master of Public Policy and Management. During my studies I was offered a world-class capstone experience, including the opportunity to undertake policy internships with the Western Australian Department of Commerce and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA). Upon graduation I was offered a job working as a Policy Officer at WALGA, a direct result of my internship there. I have recently been offered and accepted a 2016 Graduate position in Canberra working in Strategic Policy for the Policy and Cabinet Division in the Chief Minister, Treasury & Economic Development Directorate in the ACT Government. During my Masters, I was given the opportunity to engage in strategic and diverse policy issues, develop high-level critical thinking and analytical skills. I am grateful to have received a world class education at globally ranked institution.”
Chase Fiori - Policy Officer, ACT Chief Minister's Department
Student of Public Policy
"The Sir Walter Murdoch School does a marvellous job of channelling students' skills from their various backgrounds into the kinds of skills which are useful and valuable to employers in the areas of policy and international relations … Without the well-rounded education I received at the Sir Walter Murdoch School I would have stood little chance of finding a position at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. I learned the language of policy and diplomacy, absorbed the theory, and got practical experience via a semester-long internship at the Public Sector Commission".
Sam Millett - Policy Officer, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, WA
Studied: Master of International Affairs/Graduate Certificate of Public Policy and Management
"The lecturers and staff associated with the Sir Walter Murdoch School are all incredible. They are always very approachable and happy to lend a hand when it is needed. I am especially pleased with the feedback and advice they are able to give during casual discussions, including advice of career prospects and further studies … I have also been able to apply the knowledge that I have gained on a daily basis; from writing emails, to thoroughly researching and investigating issues, to drafting policies and guidelines, to speaking with Ministers and senior departmental staff. The skills I have gained through my postgrad study at the Sir Walter Murdoch School have proved invaluable."
Ellen Smith, Regional Fisheries Management Officer, Department of Fisheries
Studied: Masters of Public Policy and Management
"My qualification from the Sir Walter Murdoch School has been essential in helping me to achieve my career goals. I’ve always had a professional interest in working for an international organization, especially given my experience in teaching at university and working on project implementation at the NGO. However, even with my prior experience it is still extremely competitive to be offered a position at the country office of the UNDP, so without my Sir Walter Murdoch School qualification in Australia I am not sure I would be holding this position with the United Nations."
Unurjargal Lkhanaa, National Co-ordinator of Women’s Political Empowerment, United Nations Development Program, Mongolia
Studied: Masters of Development Studies
You are currently located on the main Murdoch site