Program Overview

Foundation Studies prepares you for a successful transition to degree-level study, providing a pathway to the first year of study of a bachelor’s degree at Murdoch University.

This course is suited to you if you:

• Need an entrance qualification for Murdoch University
• Want to accelerate your university preparation after Year 11, or equivalent
• Want to change your degree stream after Year 11, or equivalent

Course Structure
For Foundation Studies you will complete eight units over two study periods, studying a combination of core and elective units. The units you will undertake will be determined by your chosen degree. All students must complete the two English units and at least one unit from each Discipline Group.

Each unit of study builds concepts from an introductory level through to university entrance level. The units are designed to develop your learning techniques as well as bridging gaps in your unit knowledge.

• English
  • Essential Australian Studies
  • Introduction to Academic Communication
• Mathematics
  • Introductory Mathematics
  • Mathematics for Science
• Science and Technology
  • Information Technology for Academic Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
• The Arts
  • Introduction to Media
  • Media Production
• Business and Legal Studies
  • Accounting
  • Management
  • Economics

Leading to: Bachelor of Global Security
Terrorism, political violence, international crime, cyber-crime and climate change all pose threats to our individual and collective security. Organisations and agencies across the world need specialised skills and knowledge to help understand and assess these risks and potential security threats.  

In this course you’ll learn new ways of thinking to help address today’s biggest global security challenges. You’ll learn how to analyse and communicate complex information as you explore different security approaches, policies and priorities across the world.

This course can be combined with criminology, global politics and policy or international aid and development courses to broaden your skills, knowledge and career prospects even further.

Major: Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies
Terrorism, and efforts to counter it, has come to reshape national and global politics in the 21st Century.

In this major, you’ll get to explore the meaning, evolution and complex causes of terrorism and political violence. You will gain specialised knowledge in various counter-terrorism strategies, policies and politics adopted by governments and security agencies in response to these threats. This major equips you with specialised analytical skills to analyse contexts in which terrorism occurs and evaluate counter terrorism policies and strategies.

3 reasons to study Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies at Murdoch

• This course was the first of its kind in WA.
• Benefit from our long-standing industry connections with government and security agencies and learn from experts who have worked and consulted with organisations such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Defence College, United Nations and a range of aid and development agencies.
• Get a competitive advantage in your career as you explore national and international security issues, particularly in relation to the Middle East, Southeast and South Asia, where our teaching staff have special expertise.

What you’ll learn
Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

• Terrorism in a globalised world
• Military force and counterterrorism
• Policing, intelligence and counterterrorism
• Middle East politics and security
• US policies and global security