International Relations
Overview
| This page was first published on 14 November 2025 and was last amended on 18 November 2025. View details of the changes below. |
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The postgraduate International Relations program offers a comprehensive, intellectually rigorous course of study embedded within the political science discipline. International Relations is dedicated to the study of affairs among states and between states and non-state actors. The field covers the history, current workings, and possible evolution of the international system, its actors, processes, and important events.
As a distinct academic subject, International Relations applies a diverse set of theories to help understand and address the world’s most pressing challenges. Theory is at the core of international relations, as is an understanding of the historical development of the subject as a distinct field of study. It brings together political, economic, social, legal, security, and cultural dimensions in the study of international affairs, but the focus is always on how these factors have impacted on the conduct of global political, economic, and social relations. These include:
- development
- environmental sustainability
- international institutions
- international law
- international political economy
- international security
- poverty
- social and economic justice
- theory
- war and peace.
The program provides an innovative, disciplined, and intellectually challenging framework for studying issues and perspectives within international relations. It encourages you to relate theoretical concepts to specific, relevant world issues and challenges in international affairs. You will graduate with specialist knowledge and an understanding of major developments and issues in all aspects of international relations. Graduates will be trained to conduct independent scholarly research through a combination of in-class study and independent research projects under the supervision of an academic staff member. The program features a strong emphasis on teaching students core concepts of international relations theory, reaching back into classical philosophy while employing cutting-edge approaches in critical theory.
The program is designed for both recent graduates seeking employment in a wide array of professions, including international business, consulting, government, international organisations, and communications, as well as professionals in these sectors seeking advanced training to support career progression. The master’s includes an optional dissertation, which provides a pathway to higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies.
The ‘nested’ program comprises a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, and master’s, allowing students the flexibility to enter or exit at any of these levels, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.
Students complete units of study in the following categories, as appropriate to their level of study:
- Core: introduction to key theories, concepts, and institutions in international relations, and history of the international system
- Selective: choice of study in a range of specialist areas
- Elective (optional): choice of study in related disciplines
- Specialisation (optional): choice of International Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or Political Economy
- Capstone: application of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the master’s to an independent research project, culminating in the submission of either a 6,000-word project/essay or a 12,000-word supervised dissertation.
The Discipline of Government and International Relations has a range of dedicated exchange programs with partner universities across the world, which enable students the opportunity to spend some of their time abroad.
Admission criteria and course requirements
Please refer to the course resolutions for admission criteria and course requirements.
A summary of course requirements and list of units of study available in the program can be found in the unit of study table.
Reduced volume of learning (RVL)
Candidates admitted directly to the Master of International Relations who have completed a qualification in a relevant discipline or possess relevant professional experience may be eligible for a reduction in course requirements in accordance with the table below.
| Level of prior learning | Full-time duration | Credit points to complete |
|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 7 (e.g, bachelor's degree in the humanities, social sciences, or law) | 1.5 years | 72 |
| Relevant professional experience | Varies* | Varies* |
| AQF Level 8 (e.g, honours degree in the humanities, social sciences, or law) | 1 year | 48 |
AQF: Australian Qualifications Framework
* reduction in requirements is considered on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of 24 credit points
Contacts and further information
Post-publication amendments
Date |
Original publication |
Post-publication amendment |
|---|---|---|
| 18/11/2025 | Overview section published as: The Master of International Relations is offered within the Discipline of Government and International Relations. It offers a comprehensive, intellectually rigorous Masters program embedded within the political science discipline. International Relations is dedicated to the study of affairs among states and between states and non-state actors. The field covers the history, current workings, and possible evolution of the international system, its actors, processes and important events. Theory is at the core of international relations, as is an understanding of the historical development of the subject as a distinct field of study. It brings together political, economic, social, legal, security, and cultural dimensions in the study of international affairs. The Masters of International Relations has two pathways: 1. Professional employment in a wide array of professions. 2. Research pathway to PhD. Students may gain knowledge in languages and specialisations/electives, and participate in exchange programs with partner universities worldwide. |
Overview section amended to: The postgraduate International Relations program offers a comprehensive, intellectually rigorous course of study embedded within the political science discipline. International Relations is dedicated to the study of affairs among states and between states and non-state actors. The field covers the history, current workings, and possible evolution of the international system, its actors, processes and important events. Theory is at the core of international relations, as is an understanding of the historical development of the subject as a distinct field of study. It brings together political, economic, social, legal, security, and cultural dimensions in the study of international affairs. These include:
It encourages you to relate theoretical concepts to specific, relevant world issues and challenges in international affairs. You will graduate with specialist knowledge and an understanding of major developments and issues in all aspects of international relations. Graduates will be trained to conduct independent scholarly research through a combination of in-class study and independent research projects under the supervision of an academic staff member. The program features a strong emphasis on teaching students core concepts of international relations theory, reaching back into classical philosophy while employing cutting-edge approaches in critical theory. The program is designed for both recent graduates seeking employment in a wide array of professions, including international business, consulting, government, international organisations, and communications, as well as professionals in these sectors seeking advanced training to support career progression. The master’s includes an optional dissertation, which provides a pathway to higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies. The ‘nested’ program comprises a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, and master’s, allowing students the flexibility to enter or exit at any of these levels, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. Students complete units of study in the following categories, as appropriate to their level of study: • Core: introduction to key theories, concepts, and institutions in international relations, and history of the international system • Selective: choice of study in a range of specialist areas • Elective (optional): choice of study in related disciplines • Specialisation (optional): choice of International Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or Political Economy • Capstone: application of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the master’s to an independent research project, culminating in the submission of either a 6,000-word project/essay or a 12,000-word supervised dissertation. The Discipline of Government and International Relations has a range of dedicated exchange programs with partner universities across the world, which enable students the opportunity to spend some of their time abroad. |
| 18/11/2025 | Admission criteria and course requirements section published as: Please refer to the course resolutions in this Handbook for information on the specific admission criteria and course requirements for the Master of International Relations and its embedded courses. |
Admission criteria and course requirements section amended to: Please refer to the course resolutions for admission criteria and course requirements. |
| 18/11/2025 | Reduced volume of learning (RVL) section published as: Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below. |
Reduced volume of learning (RVL) section amended to: [...]
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