Course overview

Description

This course is designed both for those purely interested in acquiring a better understanding of global governance and politics and for those seeking a qualification to enhance their career prospects. Strongly performing students have the option of writing a dissertation which may lead to higher degree research programs, including PhD pathways.

Course title
Master of International Relations (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MIntRelns
Course code
11580
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2025
Administered by
Social Sciences
CRICOS code
069311D

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
Maximum course duration
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Multi-mode
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP; or postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Dr Ky Gentry
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Enquiries and course advice

Course advice
Arts Student Office
6488 2091 / 6488 2853
[email protected]

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

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

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.

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSPOLS5661Approaches to International Relations
Incompatibility
POLS8606 Theory and Method in International Relations.
POLS5661 Theory in International Relations A: Contending Approaches.
POLS5662 Theory in International Relations B: Explanation and Understanding

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.

Group B
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSPOLS5010NGOs, Governance and DevelopmentNoneseminars: 18 hours
N/APOLS5506Gender and International Relations
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-POLSC Political Science and International Relations
or 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations
or 11580 Master of International Relations
3 hours per day x 6 days
NSPOLS5507Geopolitical Flashpoints
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-POLSC Political Science and International Relations
or 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations
or 11580 Master of International Relations
3 hours per day x 6 days
NSPOLS5611Religion, Global Identities and World Politics
Incompatibility
POLS8601 Identities in Global Politics: Nationalism, Ethnicity and Religion
18 hours
NSPOLS5631International Relations of the Asia–Pacific
Incompatibility
POLS8603 International Relations in the Asia–Pacific Region.
POLS5631 International Relations of the Asia–Pacific: the Role of Major Powers.
POLS5632 Major Issues and Regional Organisations in the Asia–Pacific
NSPOLS5641International Security
Incompatibility
POLS8604 Problems of International Security.
POLS5642 Contemporary Issues in International Security
NSPOLS5651Global Political Economy
Incompatibility
POLS8605 States and International Political Economy.
POLS5652 International Political Economy: Dynamics of Crises
seminars: 18 hours
NSPOLS5681Governance in the International SystemNoneseminars: 18 hours
NSPOLS5686International Norms, Ethics and Human RightsNoneseminars: 18 hours (over the course of a semester)
NSPOLS5691Global Climate PoliticsNoneseminars: 18 hours

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.

Group C
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSPOLS5682Responding to International Crises
Prerequisites
completion of 48 points in the Master of International Relations, including POLS5661 Foundations of International Relations.
seminars: 18 hours per semester
NS, S1, S2SVLG5001McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship
Prerequisites
The vast Majority of students - No prerequistes
or Enrolment in
20820 Juris Doctor and the following units ( LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4102 Criminal Law .
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics
)
Incompatibility
for Juris Doctor students: LAWS5174 Legal Internship
Internship experience: approximately 100 hours; McCusker Centre attendance: approximately 8 hours
NS, S1, S2WILG5001Work Integrated Learning Internship Program
Prerequisites
Completion of 24 points of post graduate units and approval from the unit coordinator.
Industry experience: 100 hours Online sessions with Unit Coordinator: 1-2 hours

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:

Group D
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1ASIA5001Key Debates in the Asian RegionNoneseminars at least 20 hours over 12 weeks
S2COMM5104Public Communication
Incompatibility
COMM7484 Honours Seminar 4 (Communication Studies).
COMM4104 Public Communication
S1ENVT5518The Sustainable Development Goals
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
and Successful completion of
ENVT4421 Fundamentals of Environmental Management
or Enrolment in
25530 Master of Urban Design
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72560 Master of Urban and Regional Planning
or 71550 Master of International Development
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 13550 Master of Environmental Planning
or 62540 Master of Ocean Leadership
Lectures: 2 hours per week for nine weeks; workshop/practical classes: 2 hours a week for nine weeks
S2GEOG5411Regional Development in the Global Context
Incompatibility
All of the following Unit(s) PLNG5411 Urban and Regional Analysis
40 (teaching blocks: 12 x 2 hours 45 minutes; field trip: 1 x 7 hours)
N/APOLS5105International Relations in the Indian Ocean Region
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
11580 Master of International Relations, 21540 Master of International Relations and Master of International Law, 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations,
or 12580 Master of Asian Studies.
9 sessions, 3 hours each session
NSPOLS5501The Politics of Public Policy
Incompatibility
LAWS5214 Public Policy
18 hours per semester.
NSPOLS5503Public AdministrationNone6 x 3 hour format to align with intensive teaching period
N/APOLS5612World Politics: Muslims in the West
Incompatibility
POLS8601 Identities in Global Politics: Nationalism, Ethnicity and Religion
seminars: 18 hours
N/APOLS5684China and the WorldNoneseminars:18 hours
S2PUBH5783Health in an Era of Environmental ChangeNoneonline lectures and discussions: 3 hours per week

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.

Note: Students must achieve 70 per cent or above in SOCS4100 Honours Research Skills to be eligible to enrol in the Master's dissertation units.

Group E
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSSOCS4100Social Sciences Research Skills
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
any Honours Programme
or a Masters dissertation project.
Incompatibility
COMM4101 Concepts in Communication, COMM7481 Honours Seminar 1 (Communication Studies)
seminars: 4 hours per week
S1, S2SOCS5551Master's Dissertation Part 1
Prerequisites
Students must have achieved 70 per cent
or above in SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills and approval of the course coordinator to undertake this unit
contact varies but up to 1 hour a week in a one-to-one meeting with a supervisor or in a small teaching and discussion group
S1, S2SOCS5552Master's Dissertation Part 2
Prerequisites
Students must have achieved 70 per cent
or above in SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills and approval of the course coordinator to undertake this unit
contact varies but up to 1 hour a week in a one-to-one meeting with a supervisor or in a small teaching and discussion group
S1, S2SOCS5553Master's Dissertation Part 3
Prerequisites
Students must have achieved 70 per cent
or above in SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills and approval of the course coordinator to undertake this unit
contact varies but up to 1 hour a week in a one-to-one meeting with a supervisor or in a small teaching and discussion group

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4.(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.

Admission ranking and selection

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

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:

  • 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations (48 points)
  • 11580 Master of International Relations (96 points)
  • 12280 Graduate Certificate in International Relations (24 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of International Relations course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 24 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

(3) Students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a relevant major as recognised by the Faculty are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Credit

14. The University may grant credit towards the course for units up to a total value of 24 points in the case of students who have completed a relevant honours degree as recognised by the University

Master of International Law

15. Graduates enrolled in the Master of International Law may be granted credit of 12 to 24 points towards the Master of International Relations for successful completion of relevant units, as advised and approved by the University.