Master of International Relations (Professional)
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2024 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of International Relations (Professional) |
| Deakin course code | A735 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| 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. |
| CRICOS course code | 108401H Burwood (Melbourne) |
| 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
- 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 will 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 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 and apply findings in scholarly practice and in professional practice settings. |
| 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 diverse range of audiences in scholarly academic settings and professional contexts. |
| 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 in scholarly academic and professional contexts. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse, critically evaluate, and synthesise theoretical conceptualisations of international politics and policy responses by a range of actors, including those in professional practice settings, 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, professional practice 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 and from others in the field of International Relations and from other backgrounds including in a professional setting 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, considering 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:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 6 credit points of core units*
- 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
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 |
| APE700 | Internship A |
Pathways
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
Plus 7 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
Plus 9 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^
| APE701 | Internship Capstone (2 credit points) |
Plus 8 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Conflict and Security
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
SP-A703CON
Units
| AIR701 | China and the World |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
Plus
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
OR
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
OR
| APE701 | Internship Capstone (2 credit points) |
Diplomacy and Activism
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
SP-A703CON
Units
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIP781 | Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine? |
Plus
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
OR
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
OR
| APE701 | Internship Capstone (2 credit points) |
Human Rights and International Law
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
SP-A703CON
Units
| AHA721 | Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
Plus
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
OR
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
OR
| APE701 | Internship Capstone (2 credit points) |
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 |
| APE701 | Internship Capstone |
MLJ734 Public International Law
AIR729 Human Security in Global Politics [No longer available for enrolment]
AIR753 Regionalism in International Politics [No longer available for enrolment]
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.