Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations
2024 Deakin University Handbook
Year | 2024 course information |
---|---|
Award granted | Bachelor of Arts / Master of International Relations |
Deakin course code | D305 |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
Online | Yes |
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 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 | 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Major sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
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. 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
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.
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) |
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 | Course Learning Outcomes |
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 qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations, students must complete a total of 36 credit points consisting of 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Arts and 12 credit points from the Master of International Relations, which must include the following:
- Course requirements for both Bachelor of Arts and Master of International Relations, must be satisfied.
- Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Students must complete 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Arts, including:
- An approved Bachelor of Arts major sequence in International Relations
- An approved Bachelor of Arts minor sequence of at least 4 credit points, or a second approved Bachelor of Arts major sequence of at least 8 credit points
- No more than 10 credit points of units at level 1
- At least 6 credit points of units at level 3
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
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.
Master of International Relations studies
Students must complete 12 credit points from the Master of International Relations, including:
- 4 core units
- 8 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.^
^Course elective units may be used to form up to 2 specialisations
Transition to University Study
The Faculty offers 2 units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work, that are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.
Major sequences
All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts are required to complete at least one Arts major sequence. Please see A310 Bachelor of Arts for available majors and minors.
Course structure
Core units
AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
AIR742 | International Relations Theory |
AIR747 | Contemporary International Politics |
AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
Research 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 |
Plus 6 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
Course Electives and Specialisations
Students who complete a specialisation of 4 or 5 credit points will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Specialisations are available in the following areas:
Human Rights and International Law
Course Electives are available from the following:
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
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
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.