Master of International Relations
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of International Relations |
| Deakin course code | A703 |
| Course credit points | 12 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2024 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| 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 | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon 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
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Tackle geopolitical issues, climate change, poverty, pandemics and human rights abuses. Deakin’s Master of International Relations explores the nature of these problems, current responses and challenges you to find better solutions.
Develop skills in policy analysis and gain a systematic understanding of the threats to peace and security. Learn about the global forces shaping political, social and economic life. Use electives and an optional focus in areas such as conflict and security, diplomacy and activism or human rights and international law to define your direction.
Gain valuable international experience through work-integrated learning opportunities and begin building your industry connections. Graduate with strong analytical, research and communication skills, along with 200+ hours of practical experience (if you choose the Internship Capstone) that can support careers in government, international organisations and NGOs. There is also a PhD pathway option.
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^.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development personally, academically and professionally in the field of International Relations. |
| Work and learn collaboratively with others in the field of International Relations and from other backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for their own learning. |
| 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
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
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 your 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
- one pathway option:
- any remaining credit points can be chosen from the course electives list (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.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Specialisations
Students who complete a specialisation will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Specialisations are available in the following areas:
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 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 |
| AIP746 | Governing Crises |
| 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 |
| AIR742 | International Relations Theory |
| AIR747 | Contemporary International Politics |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| APE700 | Internship A |
| AIM708 | World Heritage |
| ADS734 | Power and Geopolitics of Humanitarianism, Development and Peace |
| MLJ734 | Public International Law |
AHA721 Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles [No longer available for enrolment]
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
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
Plus your chosen pathway option
Diplomacy and Activism
Unit set code
SP-A703DIP
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
| AIR703 | The Middle East in a Multipolar World |
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIP746 | Governing Crises |
Plus your chosen pathway option
Human Rights and International Law
Unit set code
SP-A703HUM
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
AHA721 Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles [No longer available for enrolment]
Plus your chosen pathway option
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.
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
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.