Master of International Relations

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Master of International Relations
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Length	The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 1.5 years down to 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$40,400 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Level	Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
Deakin course code	A703
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9

Course sub-headings

Course overview

If you’re interested in understanding, investigating and responding to global issues, the Master of International Relations will give you the high-level skills in theoretical and empirical analysis to do so.

Are you ready to create practical responses to global issues?

Geo-political tensions, climate change, poverty, pandemics, human insecurity, and human rights abuses. These overarching concerns are just some of the pressing issues currently impacting our global community.

By studying the Master of International Relations, you will better understand the nature of these problems, what the current responses to these problems are, and how these responses can be improved.

You’ll develop skills in policy analysis, get a systematic understanding of the threats to peace and security, and global forces shaping political, social and economic life.

As you gain knowledge and perspective, you will be able to demonstrate high-level skills of theoretical and empirical analysis. Not only will you gain a thorough understanding of the complexities of contemporary international relations but be able to interpret these global issues and events to form a hopeful, positive solution for all parties.

You’ll complete the following core units:

The United Nations and International Organisation
Security and Strategy
Research Design.

You can also complete study that combines research and certain course elective units that may be used to form a specialisation in one of the following areas:

Conflict and Security
Diplomacy and Activism
Human Rights and International Law.

Specific research options meet the thesis requirements for admission to a PhD pathway so you can start focusing on the area of international relations you’re truly passionate about from the moment you start the course.

The masters degree also offers postgraduate internship opportunities, giving you the chance to gain valuable international experience and begin building your industry networks and connections.

Fees and charges

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.

Career opportunities

Graduates of Deakin’s Master of International Relations have gone on to work for organisations such as:

Australian Government
Australian Defence Force
United Nations
World Vision
Save the Children.

The nature of international relations roles is changing due to the impacts of climate change, the rise of China and other forms of geopolitical change. After examining key contemporary issues and developments around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, you will graduate ready to enter the industry with current and best practice knowledge to make your impact.

Opportunities to make your impact exist in:

all levels of government
private sector corporations and small business
non-government organisations (NGOs)
the media
management consultancies
multicultural associations
education
health
research.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Review and analyse major theoretical, conceptual and policy debates and disputes in International Relations pertaining to foreign policy, conflict and security, international and regional politics, globalisation, and international law with reference to empirical cases.
Communication	Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of International Relations theories, concepts and their application to real-world contexts, in a selection of written, oral and digital formats, to a range of audiences.
Digital literacy	Employ a range of digital communication technologies and platforms appropriately to conduct research, engage in debate, communicate findings, and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences.
Critical thinking	Analyse, critically evaluate and synthesise theoretical conceptualisations of international politics and policy responses by a range of actors in the context of the changing international political system.
Problem solving	Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with appropriate Social Science methods of research and analysis to investigate complex real-world problems in a systematic manner and generate and evaluate potential responses to issues in the areas of conflict and security, globalization, international crises and risks, foreign policy and international law.
Self-management	Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development personally, academically and professionally in the field of International Relations.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively with others in the field of International Relations and from other backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for their own learning.
Global citizenship	Analyse and respond to issues in global politics in domestic, regional and international contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into account cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and adherence to professional and academic ethical standards.

Approved at Faculty Board May 2019

Course rules

To complete the Master of International Relations, you must pass 8 or 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

A 12-credit point Master of International Relations includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
2 credit points of core units
6 or 10 credit points of study (depending upon entry point), from the following:
- one pathway option:
  - Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
  - Research Paper - non PhD Pathway
  - Professional Experience - non PhD Pathway
- remaining credit points of course elective units (course elective units may be used to form a specialisation)

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Research information

Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^.

Specialisations

Students who complete a specialisation will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.

Specialisations are available in the following areas:

Conflict and Security*

Diplomacy and Activism*

Human Rights and International Law**

*Trimester 3 study is required

** Available as a part-time study option for Research Option 2 in Trimester 1 & 2 only

Course structure

Core units

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Units

AIR707

The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR748

Security and Strategy

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

AIX706

Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

AIX704

Minor Thesis A

AIX705

Minor Thesis B

Plus 3 or 7 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^

AIX701

Research Paper

Plus 5 or 9 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^

APE701

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Plus 4 or 8 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

^The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.

Electives

ACR709

Global Crime, Prevention and Responses

ADH714

Gender, Race and Culture

ADH717

Climate Change and Sustainability

AHA721

Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles

AIP746

Challenges to Democracy

AIR701

China and the World

AIR703

The Middle East in a Multipolar World

AIR712

Australian Foreign Policy

AIR717

International Conflict Analysis

AIR726

Human Rights in World Politics

AIR728

Global Political Economy

AIR732

Terrorism in International Politics

Research Design

Internship A

World Heritage

Charity, Influence Or Power? the Political and Economic Forces Shaping Aid

MLJ734

Public International Law

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) – 8 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
completion of a bachelor honours degree in a related discipline
completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline

1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline
completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

^Recognition of prior learning into the Master of International Relations may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate level studies.

Examples of related discipline areas include, but not limited to international relations, international studies, middle east studies, asian politics, african studies, latin american studies, european studies, military and defence studies, russian studies, politics, political science, policy studies, strategic studies, security studies, conflict analysis, conflict resolution, peace research, international law, political economy.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to army, defence services, International NGO's, security, emergency within government and commercial organisations, international affairs, United Nations.

*Recognition of prior learning will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.

You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Alternative exits

Graduate Diploma of International Relations (A603)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Work experience

Elective units and the Internship Capstone may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.