Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations

2026 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Arts / Master of International Relations
Course Credit Points	36
Deakin course code	D305
Course version	3
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Course Information	For students who commenced from 2023 onwards
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Duration	4.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026: Minor Thesis Stream Professional Experience Stream Research Paper Stream The course map for students commencing from Trimester 2 2026 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	0101372 Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7/9

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Gain a deep understanding of the political forces that shape the world, while graduating with two versatile degrees that set you up for a global career. You will major in international relations (IR) as part of your arts degree and enhance your career options by choosing a complementary major and electives from more than 30 disciplines on offer. Then in the masters component, you will explore global governance and the United Nations, IR theory, contemporary international politics and security and strategy.

Boost your employability and broaden your horizons through international experience opportunities. Working alongside leaders from diverse cultures will allow you to see international relations from a unique perspective – an important skill for your career and your life.

Want to know more about Australia’s position in the world of international relations?

Challenge perceptions, test theories and discover solutions to the relationship challenges between countries with the Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations.

When completing your masters degree, choose a specialisation within IR and complete a research project that puts into practice all that you have learnt throughout your studies. Your specialisation allows you to delve into a crucial aspect of IR and become a subject matter expert in your field. Choose to specialise in:

conflict and security
diplomacy and activism
human rights and international law

There is no better way to learn about IR than by gaining hands-on international experience. As leaders in mobility, we work with you to tailor your international experience depending on your study major or geographic interest around the world. You can even apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios by gaining professional experience through an internship. Be supported by Deakin to design your internship. Choose from 600+ employers or craft your own. Spend time immersing yourself in organisations including NGOs, agencies and private sector corporations and arm yourself with skills that prepare you for the industry.

Career opportunities

Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment.^ With us you can step-into your future with confidence. As a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations, you will be equipped with a unique skill set that will set you apart. Find employment across a range of organisations including:

consulting agencies
defence forces
education
foreign affairs departments
immigration departments
media
multicultural associations
NGOs
private sector corporations
research.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

^Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2023, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT). The #1 graduate employment is based on overall employment for domestic undergraduates of Victorian universities, 4–6 months after course completion, with an equal overall employment rate with Monash University.

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.

Alternative exits

Associate Degree of Arts (A250)
Bachelor of Arts (A310)
Diploma of Arabic (A221)
Diploma of Arts (A215)
Diploma of Chinese (A222)
Diploma of Indonesian (A223)
Diploma of Spanish (A224)

Articulated courses

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (A400)
Bachelor of Communication and Creative Arts (Honours) (A450)

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

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Arts (A300)	Course Learning Outcomes Master of International Relations (A703)
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge in the Arts disciplines, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines or areas of practice.	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	Demonstrate highly developed skills in oral, written and electronic communication and the ability to communicate research outcomes, and produce scholarly papers.	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	Research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information using a range of appropriate technologies and resources in a rapidly-changing global environment.	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	Use critical and analytical thinking and judgment in selecting and applying appropriate theories and methodologies to evaluate information and knowledge about society, culture and the arts.	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	Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems in the Humanities, Social Sciences and the Creative Arts, including cross-disciplinary approaches.	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 and accountability for personal actions and a continued commitment to learning in personal, professional, and scholarly contexts.	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 colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community.	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	Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community.	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 July 2019

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations you must pass 36 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
24 credit points from the Bachelor of Arts
- 1 International Relations major (8 credit points)
- one of:
  - an Arts minor (4 credit points)
  - an Arts major (8 credit points)
- remaining credit points may be chosen from electives
- a maximum of 8 credit points taken outside the Faculty of Arts and Education
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
12 credit points from the Master of International Relations (minimum WAM of 60 required*)
- 4 credit points of core units
- 8 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 (course electives can be used to form a specialisation).

*Students must have completed 24 credit points of study successfully and achieved a WAM of 60 to continue through to the Master of International Relations. Students not having fulfilled this requirement are eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Arts as an alternative exit.

Course requirements for both Bachelor of Arts (A310) and Master of International Relations (A703) must be satisfied.

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.

Majors

A major or minor sequence is a group of units in a particular area of study taken over the three levels of your course. Each unit is usually worth 1 credit point.

A major sequence is made up of 8 credit points, and a minor sequence is made of 4 credit points.

Course structure

Bachelor of Arts

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Units

Transition to University Study

The Faculty offers a unit AIX160 Introduction to University Study, that is specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in this unit in their first year.

International Relations major

Core units:

AIR101

World in Crisis

AIR102

War, Terrorism and Humanitarian Responses

AIR242

Key Concepts in International Relations

AIR349

Diplomacy and the United Nations

AIR350

Australia and the Indo-Pacific: Identity, Interests, and Order

Plus 3 units selected from:

AIE258

Critical Issues in Middle East Politics

AIP211

Politics of Poverty and Prosperity

AIR200

Global Capitalism and Power

AIR203

Human Rights in World Politics

AIR247

Activists in World Politics

AIS203

Immersion Program: Japanese Politics, Society and Culture

Note: A study tour program is available as part of this major sequence. Please contact the Course Director for further information.

Choose a minor or second major from the Bachelor of Arts

Electives may also be chosen from the above Bachelor of Arts.

Master of International Relations

Units

AIR707

The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR742

International Relations Theory

AIR747

Contemporary International Politics

AIR748

Security and Strategy

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

AIX706

Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

AIX704

Minor Thesis A

AIX705

Minor Thesis B

Plus 5 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^

AIX701

Research Paper

Plus 7 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^

APE701

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Plus 6 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.

Specialisation and elective units

Students who complete a specialisation will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.

Specialisations are available in the following areas:

Conflict and Security*

Diplomacy and Activism*

Human Rights and International Law**

*Trimester 3 study is required

** Available as a part-time study option for Research Option 2 in Trimester 1 & 2 only

Course Electives

Work experience

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

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.

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.

Estimate your fees

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.

Contact Student Central