Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 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 2025: Minor Thesis Stream Professional Experience Stream Research Paper Stream 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

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^.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Arts	Course Learning Outcomes Master of International Relations
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 students must pass 36 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their 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 chosed 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)
Course requirements for both Bachelor of Arts and Master of International Relations must be satisfied

Eligibility*

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.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

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.

Majors

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

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.

Course Electives and Specialisations

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

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing 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.

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.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.