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.
Example Study Plans
- 2025 Master of International Relations - 1.5 years (72 pts) COURSEWORK DISSERTATION [docx]
- 2025 Master of International Relations - 1.5 years (72 pts) COURSEWORK [docx]
- 2025 Master of International Relations - 1.5 years (72 pts) without relevant background [docx]
- 2025 Master of International Relations - 2 years (96 pts) COURSEWORK DISSERTATION [docx]
- 2025 Master of International Relations - 2 years (96 pts) COURSEWORK [docx]
See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
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
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | POLS5661 | Approaches to International Relations |
|
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
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | POLS5010 | NGOs, Governance and Development | None | seminars: 18 hours |
N/A | POLS5506 | Gender and International Relations |
| 3 hours per day x 6 days |
NS | POLS5507 | Geopolitical Flashpoints |
| 3 hours per day x 6 days |
NS | POLS5611 | Religion, Global Identities and World Politics |
| 18 hours |
NS | POLS5631 | International Relations of the Asia–Pacific |
| |
NS | POLS5641 | International Security |
| |
NS | POLS5651 | Global Political Economy |
| seminars: 18 hours |
NS | POLS5681 | Governance in the International System | None | seminars: 18 hours |
NS | POLS5686 | International Norms, Ethics and Human Rights | None | seminars: 18 hours (over the course of a semester) |
NS | POLS5691 | Global Climate Politics | None | seminars: 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
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | POLS5682 | Responding to International Crises |
| seminars: 18 hours per semester |
NS, S1, S2 | SVLG5001 | McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship |
| Internship experience: approximately 100 hours; McCusker Centre attendance: approximately 8 hours |
NS, S1, S2 | WILG5001 | Work Integrated Learning Internship Program |
| 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
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
S1 | ASIA5001 | Key Debates in the Asian Region | None | seminars at least 20 hours over 12 weeks |
S2 | COMM5104 | Public Communication |
| |
S1 | ENVT5518 | The Sustainable Development Goals | Lectures: 2 hours per week for nine weeks; workshop/practical classes: 2 hours a week for nine weeks | |
S2 | GEOG5411 | Regional Development in the Global Context |
| 40 (teaching blocks: 12 x 2 hours 45 minutes; field trip: 1 x 7 hours) |
N/A | POLS5105 | International Relations in the Indian Ocean Region |
| 9 sessions, 3 hours each session |
NS | POLS5501 | The Politics of Public Policy |
| 18 hours per semester. |
NS | POLS5503 | Public Administration | None | 6 x 3 hour format to align with intensive teaching period |
N/A | POLS5612 | World Politics: Muslims in the West |
| seminars: 18 hours |
N/A | POLS5684 | China and the World | None | seminars:18 hours |
S2 | PUBH5783 | Health in an Era of Environmental Change | None | online 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
Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | SOCS4100 | Social Sciences Research Skills |
| seminars: 4 hours per week |
S1, S2 | SOCS5551 | Master's Dissertation Part 1 |
| 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, S2 | SOCS5552 | Master's Dissertation Part 2 |
| 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, S2 | SOCS5553 | Master's Dissertation Part 3 |
| 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.