Master of Arts (International Relations)
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Arts (International Relations) |
| Deakin course code | A723 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Burwood (Melbourne), Online For students who commenced prior to 2019 only |
| Duration | Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Arts (International Relations) is typically 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration.
Deakin courses can also be studied part-time over a longer period. |
| CRICOS course code | 084542G Burwood (Melbourne) |
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
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
- 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
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 at Faculty Board May 2014
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
Human Rights and International Law
International Political Economy and Global Governance
Transnational Activism and Civil Society
Course structure
Core Units
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR742 | International Relations Theory |
| AIR747 | Contemporary International Politics |
| AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
Options 1, 2 & 3
Option 1 PhD Pathway
| AIX702 | Major Thesis A (2 credit points) |
| AIX703 | Major Thesis B (2 credit points) |
| AIX706 | Research 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
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Plus 7 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Option 3 Research Project
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
Plus 8 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
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 or 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.