Graduate Certificate of International Relations

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of International Relations
Deakin course code	A503
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	Yes
Duration	Trimester 1: 0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent Trimester 2: 1 year part-time
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	094985J Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Get an introduction to the forces that shape our international landscape and discover how to create practical responses to global problems in the Graduate Certificate of International Relations.

Your skills and specialist knowledge could help you secure roles across a range of sectors, including in government, non-government organisations, multicultural associations, management, and a range of businesses.

Want the skills to forge strong and impactful bonds between nations?

In core units, you will develop core understandings of how world politics have evolved into the 21st century and grow your capacity to analyse and contextualise policies and relationships in a nuanced and meaningful manner.

You will also benefit from the chance to explore a broad range of international relations units on offer under the guidance of our academics, each of whom bring unique expertise.

Plus, choose how you study – on campus, or on your own schedule, online.

In our increasingly globalised world, the skill to work strategically across nations is highly valued. International relations workers have the unique ability to shape global responses to complex global issues such as climate change or global poverty – as many Deakin graduates have.

If you are interested in furthering your expertise and analytical abilities, this course acts as a guaranteed pathway to the Master of International Relations.

Career opportunities

Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of International Relations is designed for those looking to advance their careers in areas such as all levels of government, private sector corporations and small business, non-government organisations, the media, consultancy, the defence forces, foreign affairs departments, immigration departments, management consultants, multicultural associations, education, health, politics and research.

Graduates of this course have gone on to work for organisations such as:

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

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

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.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:

Master of International Relations (Professional) (A735)

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Use specialised knowledge of International relations to review and analyse major theoretical, conceptual and policy debates and disputes in International relations.
Communication	Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of International Relations theories, concepts in written, oral and digital formats to a diverse range of audiences.
Digital literacy	Employ a range of digital communication technologies and platforms 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 July 2019

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of International Relations students must pass 4 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
2 credit points of core units
2 credit points of course electives

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Course structure

Core Units

AIR742

International Relations Theory

AIR747

Contemporary International Politics

Course Electives

AIR701

China and the World

AIR712

Australian Foreign Policy

AIR720

Transnational Activism and Policy

AIR726

Human Rights in World Politics

AIR728

Global Political Economy

Work experience

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

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

There are options for WIL and study tours across many of the SHSS courses.

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.