Facts & figures
Politics and International Studies
- =#2 in Australia
- 2023 QS World University Rankings
Government and International Relations
Shape the conversation, change the world
Examining politics and international relations using critical and multidisciplinary perspectives.
Everyone has a stake in how domestic and international political disputes are resolved and whether co-operation is improved. In GIR, we understand and explain politics and international relations as well as the forces that shape and drive political, economic and social change.
Our internationally recognised academics engage with the big issues the world faces today, dealing with everything from the US presidency to the implications of the war in Ukraine and Russia, terrorism, climate change, nuclear proliferation, the global refugee crisis and financial instability.
Our study offering
Understand traditional and emerging security challenges and apply theories to current events and policy debates. Explore complex, interconnected issues such as causes and consequences of war; ethnic, religious and ideological conflict; and threats from climate change, disease and nuclear proliferation. We will draw on economics, political science, law, business, public health and more.
Postgraduate
- Master of International Security
- Graduate Certificate in International Security
- Graduate Diploma in International Security
Research
Politics is the study of the nature of governments and the distribution of power at the domestic level. With our wide range of degrees, gain the knowledge, theoretical understanding and practical skills to engage with politics and understand the key elements of political systems, including government institutions, political parties, and social movements. You will also compare key elements of political systems including government institutions, political parties, interest groups, elections, patterns of political participation, and social movements.
International Relations is the study of the international political and economic system. Explore the historical development of that system, understand the actors, institutions, and processes of international politics and develop a critical insight into the forces governing the behaviour of states, the factors that lead to military conflict or peaceful co-operation, and the current trends towards a world that is both more globally integrated and fragmented.
Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations)
- Politics major*
- Politics minor*
- International relations major*
- International relations minor*
- Government and International Relations (Honours)
*Available to all students studying the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees.
Postgraduate
- Master of International Relations
- Graduate Certificate in International Relations
- Graduate Diploma in International Relations
Research
Gain critical perspectives on the global, national and local levels of a rapidly changing policy environment with growing public scrutiny and complex challenges. Explore the opportunities and constraints stemming from political, social, economic, civil and technological factors at both the national and global levels.
Postgraduate
Our research
Our discipline offers teaching and internationally recognised research in all major fields, including:
- International relations: The role and functions of international organisations, such as the World Bank and United Nations, as well as the challenges of globalisation, international security, conflict and terrorism.
- Public policy: In the Australian and global contexts, including environmental, economic and foreign policy, as well as public-sector management and policy analysis.
- Political theory: Classical and applied ideas of democracy, environmentalism and human rights.
- Comparative politics: Substantial research into authoritarianism, democratisation and complex processes of regime change, especially in the post-communist world and Southeast Asia. Publications have also compared the politics and institutions of Anglo-American states and Westminster democracies, such as the role of the core executive and processes of civic engagement.
- Australian politics: Research into the media, elections and political parties.
Our centres
Our discipline contributes to these centres:
Our people
- Dr Francesco Bailo
- Dr Betsi Beem
- Dr Caitlin Biddolph
- Dr David Blunt
- Associate Professor Anna Boucher
- Dr Minglu Chen
- Dr Peter Chen
- Professor James Der Derian
- Dr Ainsley Elbra
- Associate Professor Charlotte Epstein
- Professor Anika Gauja
- Mr Keshab Giri
- Dr Gorana Grgic
- Professor Justin Hastings
- Dr Stewart Jackson
- Professor John Keane
- Professor Alexandre Lefebvre
- Mr Minran Liu
- Dr James Loxton
- Dr Robert Macneil
- Dr Henry Maher
- Associate Professor John Mikler
- Dr Assel Mussagulova
- Dr Christopher Neff
- Professor Brendon O'Connor
- Professor Susan Park
- Professor Sarah Phillips
- Professor Gaby Ramia
- Associate Professor James Reilly
- Dr Jamie Roberts
- Dr Stuart Rollo
- Professor David Schlosberg
- Professor Laura Shepherd
- Associate Professor David Smith
- Dr Aim Sinpeng
- Professor Rodney Smith
- Associate Professor Thomas Wilkins
- Associate Professor Jingdong Yuan
- Professor Geoffrey Gallop
- Professor Graeme Gill
- Professor David Goodman
- Professor Allan McConnell
- Professor Michael Jackson
- Professor Frederick Teiwes
- Professor Rod Tiffen
- Professor Linda Weiss
- Professor Colin Wight
- Honorary Associate Dr Gabriele Abbondanza
- Associate Professor Simon Atkinson
- Honorary Associate Dr Sarah Cameron
- Honorary Associate Dr David Clune
- Honorary Professor Peter Curson
- Honorary Associate Dr Eliza Garnsey
- Honorary Associate Professor Peter Hayes
- Honorary Professor Megan MacKenzie
- Honorary Senior Lecturer Dr Stephen Mills
- Honorary Professor Luigi Tomba
- Visiting Professor Charles Butcher
- Visiting Scholar Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert
- Visiting Researcher Professor Patricia Springborg
Events
For a full listing of our upcoming events, please visit the School's events calendar.
Steven Weng
Government and International Relations student
“The culture here encourages robust intellectual discussion and debate. The academics who teach you at Sydney influence the political conversation at the national and international levels."
Download our undergraduate course guide (pdf, 4.8MB)
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