Master of Arts (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 Arts (International Relations)
Campus

This course in no longer available for enrolment 

Duration

Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Arts (International Relations) is typically 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration.

  • 1 year full time (2 years part time) - 8 credit points
  • 1.5 years full time (3 years part time) - 12 credit points
  • 2 years full time (4 years part time) - 16 credit points

Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period.

CRICOS course code084542G Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course codeA723
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.

Pipelining course version.

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

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 Arts (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 undertake research training and complete a research project in one of the three following options:

  • one credit points of research training in research design, and a one credit point research project;
  • one credit point of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a two credit point research project; or
  • two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a four 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 2014

 

Course rules

The Master of Arts (International Relations) is typically 8, 12 or 16 credit points.

The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money.

To be awarded a Master of Arts (International Relations) a student must successfully complete the following:

  • 6 core units 
  • AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • 10 credit points of study combining research and elective units in one of the following configurations:

Option 1 PhD Pathway

  • 6 credit points of research project units (AIX706; AIX707 or AIX708; AIX702 (2cps); AIX703 (2cps))
  • 4 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Option 2 Research Paper

  • 3 credit points of research units (AIX704; AIX705; AIX706)
  • 7 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Option 3 Research Project

  • 2 credit point of research units (AIX701 and AIX706) 
  • 8 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Specialisations

Students who complete a specialisation of 4 credit points will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.

Specialisations are available in the following areas:

Asia-Pacific Regional Dynamics 

Conflict and Security 

Human Rights and International Law 

International Political Economy and Global Governance

Transnational Activism and Civil Society


General Electives

Course structure

Core Units

AIR707The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR742International Relations Theory

AIR747Contemporary International Politics

AIR748Security and Strategy

AIR728Global Political Economy

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics

Options 1, 2 & 3

Option 1 PhD Pathway

AIX702Major Thesis A (2 credit points)

AIX703Major Thesis B (2 credit points)

AIX706Research Design

Plus either 

AIX707 Qualitative Research (no longer available for enrolment)

or 

AIX708 Quantitative Research (no longer available for enrolment)

Plus 4 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Option 2 Research Paper

AIX704Minor Thesis A

AIX705Minor Thesis B

AIX706Research Design

Plus 7 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Option 3 Research Project

AIX706Research Design

AIX701Research Paper

Plus 8 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Work experience

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

Details of specialisations

Asia-Pacific Regional Dynamics

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AIR701China and the World

AIR712Australian Foreign Policy

AIR753 Regionalism in International Politics [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit AIP781 Political Communication]

AIR748Security and Strategy

AIR728Global Political Economy


 

Conflict and Security

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AHA721Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector (this unit is replacing AIR729 from 2022)

AIR701China and the World

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR732Terrorism in International Politics

AIR748Security and Strategy

AIR753 Regionalism in International Politics [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit AIP781 Political Communication]


 

Human Rights and International Law

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AHA721Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector (this unit is replacing AIR729 from 2022)

AIR707The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics


 

International Political Economy and Global Governance

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AIR707The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR720Transnational Activism and Policy

AIR728Global Political Economy

AIR753 Regionalism in International Politics [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit AIP781 Political Communication]


 

Transnational Activism and Civil Society

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AHA721Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector (this unit is replacing AIR729 from 2022)

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR720Transnational Activism and Policy

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics

ALR718Public Relations, Activism and Social Change


 

General electives

Units

AIR790 International Relations Internship [No longer available for enrolment]

ADS701Introduction to International and Community Development

AHA721Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector


 


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.