University of New South Wales
Master of International Relations
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Develop advanced research and analytical capabilities across global politics, international security and foreign policy, with opportunities to examine contemporary geopolitical challenges and undertake an optional internship.
Course overview
UNSW’s Master of International Relations supports graduates and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of global politics, foreign policy and the relationships between states, institutions and other international actors. It develops the knowledge and analytical capabilities needed to examine complex international issues from multiple perspectives.
The course explores how international relations theories shape interpretations of world politics and policy responses. Students examine areas including international security, great-power rivalry, political violence, international political economy, human rights, environmental politics and development while strengthening their research, critical thinking and communication capabilities.
Depending on previous qualifications and professional experience, students can enter a one-year, 1.7-year or two-year full-time pathway, with part-time equivalents also available. Elective study enables students to explore areas such as international law, regional security, foreign policy and political advocacy. An optional Social Sciences Internship may also be available, subject to course availability and enrolment requirements.
Delivered face-to-face, including blended learning, at UNSW’s Kensington campus, the degree may support career directions across government, international organisations, NGOs, multinational businesses, media, financial services, policy advocacy and geopolitical risk analysis.
"Postgraduate study at UNSW has made me a better journalist. It's given me a historical, academic, and legal understanding of the issues that I write about. It's given me opportunities to travel and work overseas, opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise."
Ben Doherty, Journalist, The Guardian
Key facts
8th February, 2027
6th September, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of International Relations, you must successfully complete units totalling 96 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Depending on your level of experience, you can either undertake a streamlined one year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent), 1.7 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent) or two years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent).
International Relations A – 1 year stream (48 credit points)
Research Core units (6 CP)
Disciplinary Core units (12 CP)
Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (6 CP)
Prescribed Electives (24 CP)
International Relations B – 1.7 year stream (72 credit points)
Research Core units (12 CP)
Disciplinary Core units (12 CP)
Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (6 - 12 CP)
Prescribed Electives (36 - 42 CP)
International Relations C – 2 year stream (96 credit points)
Research Core units (12 CP)
Disciplinary Core units (24 CP)
Prescribed Electives (60 CP)
Specialisation
You must complete one of the following specialisations:
- International Relations A
- International Relations B
- International Relations C
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
There are three different streams of the Master of International Relations. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to international relations.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
One-year stream (A)
You must have one of the following:
- 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 per cent.
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.
1.7-year stream (B)
You must have one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of 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 per cent.
Two-year stream (C)
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
*It is expected that a graduate diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Relevant disciplines include: Social sciences, humanities, business, economics, law, public health and communications.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses.
- Prior study in the medium of English.
- Other qualifications.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50 per cent of the specialisation, that is:
- Up to 24 CP transfer for the 1 year specialisation.
- 36 CP transfer for the 1.7 year specialisation.
- 48 CP transfer for the 2 year specialisation.
Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Explain and analyse the key issues of international security, global economy, international institutions, environmental politics and foreign policy.
- Demonstrate an understanding of local, regional, and global issues in the field of international relations as well as the interests, approaches, policies, dilemmas and behaviour patterns of the involved international actors.
- Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the existing theoretical schools and frameworks in explaining key issues in global and regional international affairs.
- Select, interpret and apply appropriate social science research methodologies to address key issues in international relations.
- Communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences.
- Collaborate effectively with others.
Career outcomes
- Public sector: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
- Private sector: Media organisations, trans- and multi-national corporations, industry and financial services.
- International organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
- Non-government organisations in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand and Tonga.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $67,500 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.