Master of International Relations
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2024 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of International Relations |
| Deakin course code | A703 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 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. |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024:
These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2024:
Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
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.
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.
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
- Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
- Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^.
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, 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. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students 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 12 or 8 credit points (depending upon entry point) as follows:
- 2 core units
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 6 or 10 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
| 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.
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
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
| AIR701 | China and the World ** |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
Plus
| AIX706 | Research Design |
and
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
OR
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
OR
| APE701 | 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
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy ** |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIP781 | Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine? |
Plus
| AIX706 | Research Design |
and
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
OR
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
OR
| APE701 | 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
| AHA721 | Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy ** |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics ** |
Plus
| AIX706 | Research Design |
and
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
OR
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
OR
| APE701 | 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
| ACR709 | Global Crime, Prevention and Responses |
| ADH714 | Gender, Race and Culture |
| ADH717 | Climate Change and Sustainability |
| AHA721 | Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles |
| AIP781 | Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine? |
| AIR701 | China and the World ** |
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy ** |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics ** |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy ** |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| APE700 | Internship A |
| MLJ734 | 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
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.