Glossary

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International Relations - 8233

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: Dr Monika Barthwal-Datta

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

Award(s):

Master of International Relations

View program information for previous years

Program Description

The following information applies to students commencing from 2017.

If you commenced prior to 2017, please refer to the following links for your stream requirements:

International Relations A (1 year)

International Relations B (1.5 years)

Studying International Relations (IR) at UNSW will equip you with a strong theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary world politics. The program is designed to introduce you to the main theories and theoretical traditions developed to explain the practices and processes of world politics. You will explore the main theories that have been developed to explain such politics, examining how particular theories organise and shape our view of, and ability to act in, the world. These theoretical insights provide the tools to explain various influences on the behaviour of states and other international actors.

The Master of International Relations (MIR) will extend and deepen your existing skills, knowledge and understanding of world politics as well as teaching advanced skills in research and analytical thinking. The program offers the opportunity to analyse issues such as the global economy and environment, international law and diplomacy, international and regional institutions, the conduct of war and the pursuit of international peace and security. In practical terms, you will study current issues of international concern, including economic uncertainty, environmental threats, humanitarian crises, human rights violations, global poverty and terrorism.

The program emphasises the relationship between theory and practice in world politics; studying for the Master of International Relations will extend your existing knowledge and equip you with advanced skills to analyse world affairs. You will explore the many issues raised by increasing global interconnectivity, and the rapidly changing nature of world politics.

The program has three different streams depending on your existing qualifications: the 1 year stream (A) requires completion of 48 units of credit over 1 year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); the 1.5 year stream (B) requires completion of 72 units of credit over 1.5 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); and the 2 year stream (C) requires completion of 96 units of credit over 2 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent). Please see below for more information on entry requirements.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge

Graduates will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of International Relations and the ability to apply this in a range of international contexts and environments.

2. Research-based learning

Graduates will be able to account for the ways in which new knowledge is produced and deeper knowledge acquired in and for International Relations.

3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking

Graduates will be able to provide evidence of advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills applicable to a range of international environments and practices.

4. Communication and adaptive skills

Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills and be adaptive learners and practitioners.

5. Global outlook

Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of both local and global issues in the field of International Relations.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates can be found in a range of challenging and high-profile roles, both in Australia and internationally:

Public sector: Recent graduates have gained employment with AusAid, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship Affairs in Australia; Ministry of External Affairs (Mexico), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway), Ministry of Defence (Singapore)
Private sector: media organisations, industry and financial services
Non-government organisations in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Tonga.
The program is also a gateway for higher research in International Relations

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are as follows:

For the 1 year stream (A)

Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience

For the 1.5 year stream (B)

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications.

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

For the 2 year stream (C)

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

Credit Transfer

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, up to 24 UOC credit transfer for the 1 year stream, 36 UOC credit transfer for the 1.5 year stream, and 48 UOC credit transfer for the 2 year stream.

Award with Excellence

You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.