200 Point Master of International Relations

The Master of International Relations (MIR) is offered collaboratively by several Schools in the Faculty of Arts. The degree is designed for graduates who are seeking careers in international affairs, in government, diplomacy, non-government organisations (NGOs), international organisations, and the media. It is a program that combines advanced study in the field of international relations, with relevant professional skills development, and an electives program that is specifically designed to promote cross-cultural understanding. The elective program is also to reflect Australia’s geographic location and the University of Melbourne’s research strengths, notably in Asian and Islamic Studies with an emphasis on Asian and Islamic politics, society and culture. The program will also offer students exchange and language study opportunities. The degree is specifically designed as a pathway to professional employment, however there is a thesis option for high achieving students who may wish to progress to a PhD.

The MIR is designed to provide students with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and professionally-oriented degree in international relations, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. It is designed to provide students with a conceptual knowledge of key developments in international relations together with the practical skills that are relevant to a career in international affairs, including working in international organisations, government, business, media, and nongovernment organisations.

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / 4 years part-time

The Master of International Relations 200 point program requires:

• six compulsory subjects (75 points)
• elective subjects (125 points)

Compulsory Subjects

Six compulsory subjects (75 points)

Elective Subjects

125 points

Languages: Students may enrol in up to 25 points of language study in the following areas:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• German
• Hebrew
• Indonesian
• Italian
• Japanese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Swedish

Please note:

In addition to these electives, students enrolled in the Master of International Relations will have the option of undertaking electives from the Master of International Business offered by the Graduate School of Business and Economics.

Students enrolled in the 200 point program will have the option of undertaking up to three of the following electives from the Master of International Business (up to a maximum of 37.5 points):

• ECON90025 Cooperation and Conflict in Word Trade
• IBUS90002 Asian business and Management
• MGMT90038 Global Corporate Governance

Elective Subjects - Internship/Research Subjects

Please note:

• The minor thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.
• The Master of International Relations offers two thesis subjects: HIST90031 and POLS90027. Students who enrol into HIST90031 or POLS90027 must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar.
• POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar is only available to students who are completing a minor thesis subject: HIST90031 or POLS90027.
• It is important that students enrol into the thesis that is administered by the school in which their supervisor is housed, e.g. HIST90031 if the supervisor works in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, POLS90027 if the supervisor works in the School of Social and Political Sciences.