Master of International Relations

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2022 course information

Award granted Master of International Relations
Course Map

These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2022:

These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2022:

These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2022:

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud CampusYes
Duration1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Deakin course codeA703
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

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’ll 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’ll 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.

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’ll 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

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

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.

Alternative exits

Graduate Diploma of International Relations (A603)

Research information

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

  • a 1 credit point research project; or
  • a 2 credit point research project; or
  • a 4 credit point research project developed in consultation with a supervisor from the relevant discipline.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

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 photocopying or travel.

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 by Faculty Board May 2019

Course rules

To be awarded a Master of International Relations a student must successfully complete 8 credit points as follows:

  • AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • 3 core units
  • 5 credit points of study combining research and course elective^ units (selected from Option 1, 2 or 3*)

^Course Elective units may be used to form a specialisation

*Options 2 and 3 will meet the thesis requirements for admission to a PhD pathway

Specialisations

Students who complete a specialisation of 4 or 5 credit points 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 Electives

Course structure

Core Units

AIR707The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR748Security and Strategy

AIX706Research Design

Options 1, 2 & 3

Option 1 

  • 1 credit point of research:

AIX701Research Paper

  • 4 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or course electives

Option 2 

  • 2 credit points of research units: 

AIX704Minor Thesis A

AIX705Minor Thesis B

  • 3 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or course electives

Option 3 

  • 4 credit points of research units:

AIX702Major Thesis A (2 credit points)

AIX703Major Thesis B (2 credit points)

  • plus
  • 1 credit point of electives chosen from the specialisations or course electives

Work experience

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

Details of specialisations

Conflict and Security

Unit Set Code

SP-A703CON

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)

Units

AIR701China and the World **

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR732Terrorism in International Politics

Plus

AIX701Research Paper

or

AIX704Minor Thesis A

and

AIX705Minor Thesis B

**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives

Diplomacy and Activism

Unit Set Code

SP-A703DIP

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)

Units

AIR712Australian Foreign Policy **

AIR720Transnational Activism and Policy

AIP781Political Communication *

Plus

AIX701Research Paper

or

AIX704Minor Thesis A

and

AIX705Minor Thesis B

*This unit replaces AIR753 from 2022

**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives

Human Rights and International Law

Unit Set Code

SP-A703HUM

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)

Units

AHA721Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector *

AIR728Global Political Economy **

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics **

Plus

AIX701Research Paper

or

AIX704Minor Thesis A

and

AIX705Minor Thesis B

*This unit replaces AIR729 from 2022

**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives

Course Electives

Units

ACR709Unit description is currently unavailable ^

ADH717Sustainability and Development ^

AHA721Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector ^

AIP781Political Communication *

AIR701China and the World **

AIR712Australian Foreign Policy **

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR720Transnational Activism and Policy

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics **

AIR728Global Political Economy **

AIR732Terrorism in International Politics

APE700Internship A

^this unit is replacing AIR729 in 2022

*This unit is replacing AIR753 in 2022

**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives


Other course information

Course duration - additional information

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

Further information

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

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.