Overview

Objectives

The study of the preparation, threat, use and control of organised force, by both states and non-state actors, for political purposes is the focus of the MSc (Strategic Studies) programme.

The programme has a sharp focus—the role of military power—but to understand the dimensions of strategy, it is necessary to know something about politics, international relations, history, economics, psychology, sociology and geography, as well as technology, logistics, force structure and tactics.

This programme is designed to help students better comprehend the application of military power, as well as the coordination and direction of different resources to achieve political outcomes. It aims to develop broadly educated, politically sensitive, defence and security practitioners as well as defence and security sensitive civilians who have the following skill sets:

• A nuanced understanding of the pressing national, transnational and regional strategic challenges and issues in the Indo-Pacific;
• A systematic understanding of the security interactions between states and non-state actors in an increasingly globalised world; and
• The critical thinking skills essential for the crafting of the national security policies and defence strategies, as well as private sector security policies.

Relevance

Today, the security of state and non-state actors is increasingly complicated. Core security issues—focusing on the security of the state from the application of power by hostile actors—remains fundamental; however, the threats to states are today more diverse and take numerous forms. In addition, so-called non-traditional security issues—catastrophic climate change, resource scarcity, infectious diseases, to name but three—are gaining in importance in the security calculus of public and private actors. The core security mechanisms—the military and national security forces of the state—remain salient, but they are increasingly being complemented, if not replaced, by non-violent mechanisms of national security – global and regional multilateral institutions are experimenting with new techniques of dealing with conflict, such as preventive diplomacy, and humanitarian intervention.

Benefits

It is vital for defence and national security professionals to be conversant with the new security concepts and strategic theories, as well as be well-acquainted with the intricacies of strategic planning, design and policy analysis. Such knowledge is also useful for corporate planners grappling with the complexities of the current security paradigms.

Content

The MSc (Strategic Studies) programme has been specially designed to cover a broad spectrum of issues, including:

• The key concepts and issues underpinning defence polices and strategies
• Core security issues in the Indo-Pacific region
• The nexus between non-traditional security issues and the use of force
• The challenge that terrorism poses to regional and national security
• The challenge that technological development poses to strategic policy

Career Advancement

MSc (Strategic Studies) graduates may pursue careers in the public sector (security, civil defence, policymaking, foreign affairs or the military) and in the defence industry.

Other options include journalism, research, academia and positions with international organisations focusing on security.

Certificate in Technology and Security (CTechS)

MSc (Strategic Studies) students may opt for a specialized track that would lead to the conferment of a special Certificate in Technology and Security (CTechS) from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

In order to obtain the CTechS, MSc (Strategic Studies) students must fulfil the following compulsory requirements:

Coursework Track
Enrol in 4 CTechS Courses
Dissertation Track
Enrol in 2 CTechS courses and write a dissertation on a topic related to technology and security

List of CTechS courses:

SR6003: Management of Defence Technology
SR6033: Strategic Industries and Technology Planning
SR6044: Military Organizations, Technology, and International Security
SR6038: Conflicts in the Digital Age: Information and Cyber Warfare
SR6031: Globalisation, Arms-Racing and Naval Development in the Asia Pacific
SR6010: The Revolution in Military Affairs and Force Transformation in the 21st Century
SR6027: Technology and Strategic Policy
IR6039: Cybersecurity Law, Cyberterrorism and Managing the New Geo-Cyber Risks
IP6041: Big Tech and the World Order

Note: not all the courses may be offered in the academic year