The Graduate Diploma in International Relations is a 36-unit program offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. It articulates with the Graduate Certificate in International Relations and the Australian program of the Master of Arts (International Relations).

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature, and may take into account relevant work experience. 

Course aims

The Graduate Diploma (International Relations) aims to:

  • provide graduates from the Graduate Certificate in International Relations and other qualified students with further exposure to the academic field of International Relations
  • cover aspects of International Relations not previously encountered and/or to consolidate aspects covered in previous studies
  • develop an advanced appreciation of key theoretical concepts, major historical themes and significant current issues within International Relations
  • provide opportunities for an appreciation of an International Relations perspective on the Asia-Pacific region in particular
  • develop an enhanced appreciation of the professional context in which graduates with International Relations credentials may find employment
  • assist students to further develop skills in comprehension, research, bibliography, analysis, verbal argument and professional writing.

Learning outcomes

Graduates from this course should be able to:

  • have a solid appreciation of the broad dimensions and content of the academic field of International Relations
  • have an advanced understanding of the key theoretical concepts, major historical themes and significant current issues within International Relations
  • critically read, analyse and utilise the academic and professional literature in International Relations
  • prepare themselves for more advanced studies through the Master of Arts (International Relations)
  • apply further developed skills in academic research, verbal argument and professional writing.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in International Relations, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

36 units comprised as follows:

Core - Year 1 topics

 INTR9073  New Security Agenda  (4.5 units)
 INTR9074  Civil Wars and Peace Building  (4.5 units)
 INTR9075  The Modern International System  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

22.5 units should be selected as follows:

At least 13.5 units from:

 INTR9050  Debating Human Rights  (4.5 units)
 INTR9051  International Human Rights: Theory and Practice  (4.5 units)
 INTR9054  The Alliance and the Rise of China  (4.5 units)
 INTR9055  African Politics: Global Issues  (4.5 units)
 INTR9059  Intensive Summer School on Global Citizenship  (4.5 units)
 INTR9060  The Cultural Politics of Religion, Ethnicity and Nationalism  (4.5 units)
 INTR9061  Governance and the new Political Economy of East Asia  (4.5 units)
 INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and International Development  (4.5 units)
 INTR9064  China and the Global Financial Crisis  (4.5 units)
 INTR9066  Empires and International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9067  Global Security in the Information Age: Issues and Debates  (4.5 units)
 INTR9069  Approaches to International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9070  Supervised Study in International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9072  Bibliographic Studies in International Relations  (9 units)

and a maximum of 9 units from:

 DVST9013  Applied Development Studies  (4.5 units)*
 DVST9022  Theory and Evidence in Contemporary Development  (4.5 units)*
 DVST9023  Research Practice in Development Studies  (4.5 units)*
 DVST9034  The Politics of the Global South: From Bullets to Ballot Box and back  (4.5 units)
 DVST9031  Gender Analysis  (4.5 units)*
 DVST9032  Gender Mainstreaming  (4.5 units)*
 GEOG8712  Asian Regional Development GE  (4.5 units)
 POAD9026  Management in Non-Government Organisations  (4.5 units)*
 POAD9119  Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance  (4.5 units)*
 POAD9129  Environmental Policy and Governance  (4.5 units)
 POAD9131  Development Administration  (4.5 units)*
 POLI9004  The Politics of Climate Change  (4.5 units)
 WMST8003  The Global Woman: Introduction to Gender and Development  (4.5 units)*
 WMST8007  A Walk on the Wild Side: Gender and International Politics (4.5 units)
 WMST8008  Engendering Justice, Rights, and Representation: Gender, State and Citizenship (4.5 units)