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Masters degree (coursework) · university

Master of International Relations

A Master of International Relations examines how states and international organisations work, cooperate and come into conflict.

Compare 14 providers
Illustration of a person working as policy Officer
How long it takes
2 to 2.5 years
full time
Level
Masters degree (coursework)
University
Leads on to
Policy Officer
$113,000 median pay
Taught by
14 providers
6 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Master of International Relations asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

Before you start

Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Policy Officer

    Policy officers research an issue, weigh up the options and write the advice that governments and agencies use to decide what a policy should do.

    What else you need

    A recognised route into policy roles, particularly in international, trade or security areas. Employers usually look for strong research and writing skills.

    Median pay$113,000

  • Diplomat

    Diplomats represent Australia overseas, negotiating with other governments and reporting on what developments mean for the country's interests.

    A step towards this job. What else you need

    Median pay$114,400 (estimate)

  • Intelligence Analyst

    Intelligence analysts turn fragments of information from many sources into assessments that help government agencies judge threats and decide what to do about them.

    A step towards this job. What else you need

    Median pay$113,000

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

Where you can study this course

There are 14 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

  • Monash University

    Monash Caulfield, Monash Clayton, VIC

    4.3from 1,955 Google reviews

    Website for Monash University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Staff are supportive and resolve issues quickly

    What to weigh up

    • Admin replies can be slow
    • Feedback from teaching staff can be limited

  • Curtin University

    Curtin University of Technology, Perth Campus (Graduate School of Business), WA

    4.2from 1,745 Google reviews

    Website for Curtin University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Staff are helpful and welcoming
    • Support services help students through hard times

    What to weigh up

    • Enquiries can take a while to answer

  • Macquarie University

    Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus at North Ryde, NSW

    4.4from 1,202 Google reviews

    Website for Macquarie University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Lecturers care and help students understand

    What to weigh up

    • Enrolment and admin can be slow
    • Student support can be hard to reach

  • Griffith University

    Brisbane City, Brisbane South (Nathan), QLD

    4.3from 1,317 Google reviews

    Website for Griffith University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Lecturers and tutors are supportive and approachable

    What to weigh up

    • Tutors can be slow to reply to emails
    • Enrolment and admin can be slow

  • Flinders University

    Bedford Park, Flinders City, SA

    4.3from 1,059 Google reviews

    Website for Flinders University (opens in a new tab)

  • La Trobe University

    Melbourne (Bundoora), VIC

    4.3from 1,101 Google reviews

    Website for La Trobe University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Lecturers are friendly and supportive

    What to weigh up

    • Admin and support can be slow to respond
    • Some find courses light on practical content

  • Bond University

    Gold Coast, QLD

    4.4from 303 Google reviews

    Website for Bond University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Staff are friendly, caring and helpful
    • Small class sizes give personalised attention

    What to weigh up

    • Fees are on the higher side
    • Admissions can be slow to sort out

  • University of Wollongong

    UOW Wollongong, NSW

    4.3from 747 Google reviews

    Website for University of Wollongong (opens in a new tab)

    What to weigh up

    • Enrolment and admin can be slow
    • Course and assessment changes can disrupt study

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Master of International Relations.

  • International relations theory
  • Foreign policy and diplomacy
  • Security and strategic studies
  • International law and institutions
  • Global political economy
  • Regional studies

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), published by the Australian Government Department of Education. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.