Master of International Relations (Professional)
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of International Relations (Professional) |
| Deakin course code | A735 |
| Course credit points | 16 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2022 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| 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. |
| CRICOS 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
- 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
Develop advanced analytical skills to interpret global issues and respond with confidence. Deakin’s Master of International Relations (Professional) gives you a strong grounding in international relations theory and contemporary politics. This course is ideal if you work in the public service, private sector or a small business. It helps you understand how international forces shape your professional environment.
Look forward to building your ability to analyse policy, peace and security, and the global forces shaping political, social and economic life. Examine key developments across the world, with particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region, and tailor your studies through electives or a specialisation; conflict and security, diplomacy and activism or human rights and international law. Choose a professional experience in Australia or overseas, a research paper or minor thesis pathway to match your goals, and graduate ready for roles in government or the private sector.
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^.
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 and apply findings in scholarly practice and in professional practice settings. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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 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. |
| 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 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 (Professional) you must pass 16 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 10 credit points of study from the following:
- one pathway option:
- Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
- Research Paper - non PhD Pathway
- Professional Experience - non PhD Pathway
- any remaining credit points can be chosen from the course electives list (course elective units may be used to form a specialisation)
- one pathway option:
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
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 |
| 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.
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 |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| APE701 | Internship Capstone |
| 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 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
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
Plus your chosen pathway option
Diplomacy and Activism
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
SP-A703DIP
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
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
SP-A703HUM
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 electives
| ACR709 | Global Crime, Prevention and Responses |
| ADH714 | Gender, Race and Culture |
| ADH717 | Climate Change and Sustainability |
| AIP781 | Political Communication and Citizen Engagement |
| AIR701 | China and the World |
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR703 | The Middle East in a Multipolar World (replaces AIR720) |
| 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
AHA721 Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles [No longer available for enrolment]
AIR720 Transnational Activism and Policy [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit AIR703]
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.