Program Overview

---

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are available to students throughout the university semester.

• “Careers In…” series: career /industry information and networking sessions on careers in: foreign affairs; defence; the public sector; government; media; Asia; strategic communication; NGO and community sectors
• Professional development seminars: CV writing, public speaking, networking
• Professional placements linked to relevant industry (WILG5001)
• Weekly Political Science and International Relations research seminar series and other public events on campus
• Staff/student social networking events each semester

Our graduates have found employment in the following organisations:

• UWA Centre for Muslim States and Societies
• Perth US Asia Centre
• UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network
• ACFID Research for Development Impact Network
• Australian Institute for International Affairs + Young Professionals Network
• • UWA Public Policy Institute
• United Nations Association of Australia, WA...and more!

Fees and Scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

• Fee calculator

Domestic Student Fees for Full-Fee Paying Places

If you're not eligible for a Commonwealth-supported places, you will be charged a for Full-Fee Paying place. For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load.

• Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation. More information on how fees are calculated.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

• 2025: $39,100.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

• Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

• Search Scholarships

Admission Requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior study in a field relevant to International Relations; or
(2) completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in International Relations at UWA.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

• Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Course Details

About the course

A professionally oriented course for graduates and practitioners seeking expertise in international relations.

• The Master of International Relations is a professionally oriented postgraduate course studied over three or four semesters (full-time equivalent). It offers you the opportunity to gain deep expertise in international relations, with a particular focus on our dynamic Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
• The course provides you with knowledge, skills and networks to prepare you for a rewarding career in foreign affairs and diplomacy, government, international and non-governmental organisations, the media and education. The program is structured by a core component, where you will gain knowledge of the major sub-fields including International Relations Theory and Practice, International Security, International Political Economy, the Evolution of International Society, and Governance in the International System.
• Elective units include a focus on important cross-cutting themes such as human rights, democracy, religion and non-governmental organisations, as well as on key global regions and powers. Our capstone unit options put you in the shoes of policymakers and diplomats responding to international crises and enable you to ‘practice international relations while studying International Relations’ through collaborative study with students, academics and diplomats from our Indian Ocean regional partners.
• The course offers a credited internship unit which can be undertaken with local, national and international organisations, such as government departments, embassies, think tanks, NGOs or regional institutions. High achieving students can undertake research design training and produce a supervised research dissertation on a topic of their choice.
• Students can also engage directly with our UWA and affiliated research and policy centres, including the Public Policy Institute, the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, the Africa Research & Engagement Centre, the Korea Research Centre, the Australia India Institute, the Australia Indonesia Institute, the Perth USAsia Centre and the Australian Institute of International Affairs, as well as our international networks including the Worldwide Universities Network and the Matariki Network.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: 8-10 hours plus own study time
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 11580
• CRICOS code: D

Course Structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

• Students without a bachelor's degree incorporating a relevant major take 6 pts from Group A, 36 pts from Group B, and 6 pts from Group C.
• Students with a bachelor's degree incorporating a relevant major take 0 pts from Group A, 42 pts from Group B, and 6 pts from Group C.
• Coursework only: take 24 remaining pts from across groups B, C, and D.
• Coursework & dissertation: take 24 remaining pts from Group E.
• Option - Group A
  • POLS5661 Approaches to International Relations (6)
• Option - Group B
  • POLS5010 NGOs, Governance and Development (6)
  • POLS5506 Gender and International Relations (6)
  • POLS5507 Geopolitical Flashpoints (6)
  • POLS5611 Religion, Global Identities and World Politics (6)
  • POLS5631 International Relations of the Asia–Pacific (6)
  • POLS5641 International Security (6)
  • POLS5651 Global Political Economy (6)
  • POLS5681 Governance in the International System (6)
  • POLS5686 International Norms, Ethics and Human Rights (6)
  • POLS5691 Global Climate Politics (6)
• Option - Group C
  • POLS5682 Responding to International Crises (6)
  • SVLG5001 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship (6)
  • WILG5001 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program (6)
• Option - Group D
  • ASIA5001 Key Debates in the Asian Region (6)
  • COMM5104 Public Communication (6)
  • ENVT5518 The Sustainable Development Goals (6)
  • GEOG5411 Regional Development in the Global Context (6)
  • POLS5105 International Relations in the Indian Ocean Region (6)
  • POLS5501 The Politics of Public Policy (6)
  • POLS5503 Public Administration (6)
  • POLS5612 World Politics: Muslims in the West (6)
  • POLS5684 China and the World (6)
  • PUBH5783 Health in an Era of Environmental Change (6)
• Option - Group E
  • SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills (6)
  • SOCS5551 Master's Dissertation Part 1 (6)
  • SOCS5552 Master's Dissertation Part 2 (6)
  • SOCS5553 Master's Dissertation Part 3 (6)

Why study this course?

• Become an expert on the international relations and governance in our region and the wider global system
• Engage with our active networks of experts, policymakers and practitioners
• Study international relations while practicing international relations
• Undertake a credited internship at a local, national or international organisation
• Link theory to practice in relation to major powers, regional dynamics and global issues

Work Integrated Learning

• WILG5001 Professional Development Practicum : take a credited internship with a local, national or international organisation.
• POLS5105 International Relations in the Indian Ocean Region : A course capstone experience that engages students with regional peers and policy practitioners to study the International Relations in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Career information sessions with DFAT and other Australian government agencies.

Articulated courses

This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:

• Graduate Certificate in International Relations
• Graduate Diploma in International Relations

Flexibility

We understand that life is busy. That's why our postgraduate courses are designed so you can balance your work and studies. Our flexible postgraduate experience includes the opportunity to study part time, a range of units that are taught after hours, and the option to learn via intensive units. Ask our Student Central team for advice on choosing the right postgraduate route for you. Find out more here.