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Deakin University

Master of International Relations

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Master of International Relations
Course Map	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023: Course Electives only Conflict and Security Diplomacy and Activism Human Rights and International Law These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023: Course Electives only Conflict and Security Diplomacy and Activism Human Rights and International Law These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023: Course Electives only Conflict and Security Diplomacy and Activism Human Rights and International Law Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus
Online	No
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	0101370 Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	A703
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.
2023 is the final year of intake for this course version. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course information. For students who commenced prior to 2023, please refer to handbook archive for course structure information.

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. 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.

Alternative exits

Graduate Diploma of International Relations (A603)

Research information

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

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

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.

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.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

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)
2 core units
6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper or Professional Experience Pathways ^.

^ Course Elective units may be used to form a specialisation

Course structure

Core Units

The United Nations and International Organisation

Security and Strategy

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

Minor Thesis A

Minor Thesis B

Plus 3 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway ^

Research Paper

Plus 5 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway ^

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Plus 4 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

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

Course Electives and Specialisations

To qualify for a specialisation within the Master of International Relations, a student must successfully complete 4-5 credit points of study from within that specialisation.

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, Professional experience Trimester 1 intake part-time study only

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

Course Electives

Work experience

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

Details of specialisations

Conflict and Security

Unit Set Code

SP-A703CON

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online

Units

China and the World **

International Conflict Analysis

Terrorism in International Politics

Plus

Minor Thesis A

and

Minor Thesis B

OR

Research Paper

OR

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

**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), Online

Units

Australian Foreign Policy **

Transnational Activism and Policy

Political Communication [replaced AIR753 from 2022]

Plus

Minor Thesis A

and

Minor Thesis B

OR

Research Paper

OR

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

**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), Online

Units

Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector [replaced AIR729 from 2022]

Global Political Economy **

Human Rights in World Politics **

Plus

Minor Thesis A

and

Minor Thesis B

OR

Research Paper

OR

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

**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

Global Crime, Prevention and Responses

Gender and Development

Sustainability and Development

Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector [replaced AIR729 from 2022]

Political Communication [replaced AIR753 from 2022]

China and the World **

Australian Foreign Policy **

International Conflict Analysis

Transnational Activism and Policy

Human Rights in World Politics **

Global Political Economy **

Terrorism in International Politics

Research Design

Internship A

Public International Law

**Students who have previously completed any of these units within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with an alternate unit 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.

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.