Master of Arts (International Relations)

The Master of Arts (International Relations) is a 72-unit program offered by The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. It requires two years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

This course articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in International Relations and the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in International Relations, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards. Candidates who have completed either of these courses are awarded credit for related topics.

Admission requirements
Course aims
Learning outcomes
Program of Study

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in International Relations (or approved equivalents) must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. 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 Master of Arts (International Relations) aims to:

provide a specialised postgraduate program in International Relations for suitably qualified graduates
provide appropriate professional education for current or prospective employees working in the areas of foreign affairs, defence, international trade and related areas
provide advanced grounding in the academic debates and research literatures in the field of International Relations and cognate subjects for students who intend to pursue doctoral studies and an academic career
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 high level appreciation of the broad dimensions and content of the academic field of International Relations
have a high level understanding of the key theoretical concepts, major historical themes and significant current issues within International Relations
have an excellent appreciation of outstanding policy issues in International Relations
have excellent skills in academic research, verbal argument and professional writing.

Program of study

To qualify for The Master of Arts (International Relations), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

First Year (Graduate Diploma Year)

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:

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)

Second Year (MA Year)

36 units comprised as follows:

Core - Year 2 topics

INTR9063 Debating International Relations (9 units)

Compulsory Research Paper/Thesis

Select either:

INTR9913 International Relations Research Paper (9 units), OR
INTR9918 International Relations Research Thesis (18 units) OR
INTR9918A International Relations Research Thesis (9/18 units) AND
INTR9918B International Relations Research Thesis (9/18 units)

Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 36 units) from the following:

Elective - Year 2 topics

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)
INTR9076 Food Security (4.5 units)
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)

* These topics are also available by external enrolment.

Flinders University