Graduates work with the United Nations, World Vision and more
Specialise in conflict, diplomacy or human rights
Fast-track your master's to one year
Why choose international relations at Deakin
Tackle geopolitical issues, climate change, poverty, pandemics and human rights abuses. Deakin’s Master of International Relations explores the nature of these problems, current responses and challenges you to find better solutions.
Develop skills in policy analysis and gain a systematic understanding of the threats to peace and security. Learn about the global forces shaping political, social and economic life. Use electives and an optional focus in areas such as conflict and security, diplomacy and activism or human rights and international law to define your direction.
Gain valuable international experience through work-integrated learning opportunities and begin building your industry connections. Graduate with strong analytical, research and communication skills, along with 200+ hours of practical experience (if you choose the Internship Capstone) that can support careers in government, international organisations and NGOs. There is also a PhD pathway option.
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Choose your focus
Specialise in conflict and security, diplomacy and activism and/or human rights and international law.
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Build global experience
Add a postgraduate internship to grow practical skills, international experience and industry networks.
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Learn with industry insight
Study in a program shaped by professional input and with links to government, NGOs and United Nations agencies.
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Back your ambitions
Deakin international relations graduates have gone on to work with the United Nations, World Vision, the Australian Government and the Australian Defence Force.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Develop advanced policy, research and communication skills for careers across government, international organisations, NGOs, media, education and research, with opportunities to build practical experience.
Policy adviser
Research complex issues, analyse evidence and consult stakeholders to develop policy advice, briefings and recommendations that support informed decisions across government and related organisations.
- $115k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 2,692
Jobs advertised
Research analyst
Investigate political, social and economic issues, analyse evidence and communicate findings through reports and recommendations that support policy, organisational and community decision-making.
- $115k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 2,169
Jobs advertised
Organisations you may work for
- Education providers
- Government agencies
- International organisations
- Media organisations
- Non-government organisations
- Research institutes
“An advantage of Deakin's master course is its combination of breadth and depth: students can graduate with up to three quite distinctive specialisations.”
Associate Professor David HundtCourse Director, Master of International Relations
Stories that start here
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
In the Master of International Relations, you study international politics, security, diplomacy and either research or practical experience pathways. Depending on the course structure, you may be able to shape your program through specialisations, electives or project work connected to international relations, diplomacy, security, politics and global governance.
Yes. Deakin's Master of International Relations can be completed in one year (8 credit points) if you hold a bachelor honours in a related field, a bachelor in a related discipline plus at least two years of relevant work experience, or a graduate certificate or diploma in a related area. The standard entry pathway is 1.5 years (12 credit points).
Master of International Relations is designed to support different study needs and online or part-time options are available. This helps working professionals plan study around employment while still building capability in international relations, diplomacy, security, politics and global governance.
The thesis pathway focuses on independent research and is useful if you want research, policy analysis or a future higher degree pathway. The practical experience pathway is more applied, helping you connect international relations, diplomacy, security and global governance study with workplace or sector experience.
Yes. The Master of International Relations examines contemporary global issues including international security, diplomacy, foreign policy and global governance. You'll develop the analytical and policy skills to understand complex international challenges and evaluate how governments, international organisations and other actors respond to political, economic and security issues around the world.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of International Relations?
Make sense of major global issues and how they are being addressed. Build analytical, policy and research capability, then shape your study through electives, a specialisation and a research or professional pathway.
Build your foundations
Build core global insight
Develop understanding of international organisations, security and policy, and the forces shaping political, social and economic life today.
Start shaping your direction
Use electives and a possible specialisation to focus your study on the issues, regions or policy questions that matter most to you.
Strengthen your research toolkit
Build the analytical, communication and digital skills needed to investigate global issues and present clear, evidence-based responses.
Specialise and apply
Choose your final pathway
Depending on your goals, complete a minor thesis, a research paper or a professional experience pathway with internship learning.
Translate ideas into practice
Apply theory to contemporary international challenges and produce work that reflects real policy, research and professional contexts.
Graduate ready to contribute
Finish with current knowledge, broader networks and a clearer sense of where you can make an impact across government, NGOs, media, education or research.
Course structure
To complete the Master of International Relations, you must pass 8 or 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
Plus 3 or 7 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
Plus 5 or 9 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^
Plus 4 or 8 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives
^The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
AHA721 Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles [No longer available for enrolment]
Students who complete a specialisation will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Specialisations are available in the following areas:
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
What to expect while studying
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.
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.
Elective units and the Internship Capstone may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
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^.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development personally, academically and professionally in the field of International Relations. |
| Work and learn collaboratively with others in the field of International Relations and from other backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for their own learning. |
| 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 at Faculty Board May 2019
- Award granted
- Master of International Relations
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A703
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$28,000
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Diploma of International Relations (A603)