Master of International Relations

What you will study

Depending on your level of experience, you can either undertake a streamlined one year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent), 1.7 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent) or two years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent).

International Relations A – 1 year stream (48 units of credit (UOC))

Research Core Course (6 UOC)
Disciplinary Core Courses (12 UOC)
Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Electives (24 UOC)

International Relations B – 1.7 year stream (72 UOC)

Research Core Courses (12 UOC)
Disciplinary Core Courses (12 UOC)
Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (6 - 12 UOC)
Prescribed Electives (36 - 42 UOC)

International Relations C – 2 year stream (96 UOC)

Research Core Courses (12 UOC)
Disciplinary Core Courses (24 UOC)
Prescribed Electives (60 UOC)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

There are three different streams of the Master of International Relations. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to international relations.

For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:

One-year stream (A)

You must have one of the following:

• Honours degree or graduate diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.

1.7-year stream (B)

You must have one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.
• Honours degree or graduate diploma (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.

Two-year stream (C)

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.

*It is expected that a graduate diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Relevant disciplines include: Social sciences, humanities, business, economics, law, public health and communications.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses.
• Prior study in the medium of English.
• Other qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50 per cent of the specialisation, that is:

• Up to 24 UOC credit transfer for the 1 year specialisation.
• 36 UOC credit transfer for the 1.7 year specialisation.
• 48 UOC credit transfer for the 2 year specialisation.

Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

• Public sector: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
• Private sector: Media organisations, trans- and multi-national corporations, industry and financial services.
• International organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
• Non-government organisations in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand and Tonga.

Learning outcomes

• Explain and analyse the key issues of international security, global economy, international institutions, environmental politics and foreign policy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of local, regional, and global issues in the field of international relations as well as the interests, approaches, policies, dilemmas and behaviour patterns of the involved international actors.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the existing theoretical schools and frameworks in explaining key issues in global and regional international affairs.
• Select, interpret and apply appropriate social science research methodologies to address key issues in international relations.
• Communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences.
• Collaborate effectively with others.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year full fee in 2025: $31,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative full fee in 2025: $64,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 UOC per year).

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.