Master of International Relations - International
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of International Relations |
| Course Map | Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | This course is only available to students who commenced prior to 2022 and has been replaced by A735 MAster of International Relations (Professional). |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 0101371 Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | A703I |
| 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. |
Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Research information
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
Course overview
Get high-level skills in theoretical and empirical analysis to interpret global issues.
This course is ideal if you work in public service, the private sector or for a small business, as you’ll learn how international forces shape your environment.
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.
The Master of International Relations aims to produce graduates who are able to demonstrate high-level skills of theoretical and empirical analysis and interpret global issues and events. This course will give you a substantial understanding of the complexities of contemporary international relations.
You’ll examine key contemporary issues and developments around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. The program also offers optional postgraduate internships, giving you the opportunity to get experience overseas.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities for international relations graduates exist in 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 consultancies, multicultural associations, education, health, politics and 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.
Research information
Students will complete a research project in one of the three following options:
- a 1 credit point research project; or
- a 2 credit point research project; or
- a 1 credit point unit in research methods (qualitative or quantitative), and 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.
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 with a specialisation, a student must successfully complete 16 credit points as follows:
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 6 core units
- 1 specialisation
- 7 credit points of study combining research and elective^ units (selected from Option 1, 2 or 3*)
^Elective units may be used to form a second specialisation
*Options 2 and 3 will meet the thesis requirements for admission to a PhD pathway
Specialisations
Students who complete a specialisation of four or more credit points 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
Course structure
Core Units
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
| AIR742 | International Relations Theory |
| AIR747 | Contemporary International Politics |
| AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Options 1, 2 & 3
Option 1
- 1 credit point of research
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
Option 2
- 2 credit points of research
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
Plus, 5 credit points of electives chosen from the course electives
Option 3
- 4 credit points of research units
| AIX702 | Major Thesis A (2 credit points) |
| AIX703 | Major Thesis B (2 credit points) |
Plus, 3 credit points of electives chosen from the course electives (including AIX701 recommended from the specialisations)
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Conflict and Security
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
| AIR701 | China and the World |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
Plus
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
or
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
Diplomacy and Activism
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIP781 | Political Communication * |
Plus
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
or
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
*This unit replaces AIR753 from 2022
Human Rights and International Law
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Units
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector * |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics (completed as a core unit, replace with a course elective unit) |
Plus
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
or
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
*This unit replaces AIR729 from 2022
Course Electives
Units
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector * |
| 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 |
| AIP781 | Political Communication ^ |
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector |
| AHL701 | The Humanitarian World |
| ALR718 | Public Relations, Activism and Social Change |
| MLJ734 | Public International Law |
| APE700 | Internship A |
*This unit is replacing AIR729 from 2022
^This unit replaces AIR753 from 2022
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.