Program Requirements
The Master of International Relations requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:
24 units from the completion of the following Introductory Compulsory courses:
INTR8069 Studying International Relations
INTR8071 Issues and Concepts in International Relations
24 units from the completion of the following Disciplinary Foundation courses:
INTR8011 International Relations Theory
INTR8046 Evolution of the International System
INTR8080 Global Ethics
INTR8072 Researching International Relations: Curiosity, Methods and Ethics in the Study of Global Politics
24 units from the completion of one of the following Pathway Specialisations
IRWA-SPEC World Affairs
IRAP-SPEC International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
IRPC-SPEC Peace and Conflict Studies
A maximum of 24 unit from the completion of:
Additional Pathway Specialisations
IRWA-SPEC World Affairs
IRAP-SPEC International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
IRPC-SPEC Peace and Conflict Studies
OR
Extension Specialisations
IRIG-SPEC International Governance
IRPE-SPEC International Political Economy
IRFP-SPEC Foreign Policy Analysis
IRIS-SPEC International Security
OR
Advanced Independent Research
INTR8038 Thesis (24 units)
INTR8039 Thesis (Part Time) (12 units)
OR
8000-level courses with the following Alpha codes ASIA, DIPL, INTR, MEAS, NSPO, PASI, POGO, POLS, STST where up to 6 units can be taken from the Experiential courses from the following list:
ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A (Graduate)
CRWF7001 Editor’s practicum: online public engagement, academic blogging and digital disruption
VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity
VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCPG6004 Creating Impact
VCPG6200 Innovation and Professional Practice Internship
VCPG8001 Dealing with Wicked Problems
VCPG8002 Ignorance!
Hurdle Requirements
Students must complete the Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in order to commence the Master degree.
Specialisations
Study Options
Year 1 | INTR8069 Studying International Relations 12 units | INTR8071 Issues and Concepts in International Relations 12 units | ||
INTR8032 Global Security 6 units | INTR8068 Foreign Policy Analysis 6 units | Global Political System Course | International Politics, Policy and Security elective | |
Year 2 | INTR8011 International Relations Theory 6 units | INTR8013 International Political Economy 6 units | International Politics, Policy and Security elective | |
International Politics, Policy and Security elective | International Politics, Policy and Security elective | International Politics, Policy and Security elective | International Politics, Policy and Security elective |
Admission Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
- Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or
- Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
- Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a GC or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or
- Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or
- 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or
- Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
- GRE General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
- A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.
In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.
Academic achievement & English language proficiency
The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0.
However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes.
If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:
• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.
Further information: English Language Requirements for Admission
Diversity factors
As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.
Assessment of qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.
Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
Applications for Course Credit
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit.
Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit.
Cognate Disciplines
International relations and world politics; political science with a global focus; strategic and security studies; international history
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $32,840.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $46,910.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Studying international relations at ANU means you will be studying the best program of its kind in Australia and graduating with one of the most respected degrees in this field in the world. The Master of International Relations is the only international relations program in Australia that blends a concern with global politics, leading disciplinary innovations in thought and practice, and an engagement with the Asia-Pacific region. The program equips you with a keen understanding of the pressing issues of our time by providing you with access to globally recognised experts in face-to-face seminars.
In this degree, students will learn to make sense of the big political and security trends taking place in the region and the world and come to terms with the significant debates in the field of International Relations. The Master of International Relations encourages and equips students to form their own world views and generate their own analyses of the important issues shaping our world today.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
Learning Outcomes
- Discuss the dynamics of contemporary international relations, especially in the Asia-Pacific region;
- Discuss the key theories for the analysis of contemporary international relations;
- Use international relations theory to reflect upon contemporary problems in areas such as international security, global governance, international political economy or human rights;
- Conduct high-level research and writing to undertake self-directed study in international relations;
- Analyse new areas of concern in both scholarly and policy-relevant terms;
Communicate findings in academic and practical contexts, justifying the approach and methods used as appropriate.
Inherent Requirements
Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.
Back to the Master of International Relations page
Welcome to the Master of International Relations. This section will
help you choose the courses in which you should enrol for your first semester and also provides general information to assist you throughout your degree.
Students are to follow the degree requirements for the year they commenced the program. If you would like to undertake a course that is not listed in your degree requirements, you need to seek approval by sending an email to bell.postgrad@anu.edu.au
Enrolment is managed through the Interactive Student Information System (ISIS) while the online learning platform is known as WATTLE. These two websites will be essential throughout your degree. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with them as soon as possible.
I have not received any credit. What courses should I enrol in?If you have not received any credit for previous study you must follow the standard program of study with your first semester consisting of the following courses:
INTR8069 Writing International Relations (12 Units)
INTR8071 World Politics (12 units)
I have received 24 units of credit. What courses should I enrol in?
If you have received 24 units of credit you are exempt from INTR8069 and INTR8071 and are not permitted to enrol in these courses.
If you are commencing in semester 1, you should enrol in the following courses:
INTR8011 International Relations Theory (12 units)
INTR8013 International Political Economy (6 units)
An elective of your choice (6 units)
If you are commencing in semester 2, you should enrol in the following courses:
INTR8032 Global Security (6 units)
INTR8068 Foreign Policy Analysis (6 units)
An elective of your choice (6 units)
An elective of your choice (6 units)
I have received 48 units of credit. What courses should I enrol in?
If you have received 48 units of credit you are exempt from INTR8069 and INTR8071 and are not permitted to enrol in these courses. You have also received credit for 24 units of electives.
If you are commencing in semester 1, you should enrol in the following courses:
INTR8011 International Relations Theory (12 units)
INTR8013 International Political Economy (6 units)
An elective of your choice (6 units)
If you are commencing in semester 2, you should enrol in the following courses:
INTR8032 Global Security (6 units)
INTR8068 Foreign Policy Analysis (6 units)
An elective of your choice (6 units)
An elective of your choice (6 units)
Transfers
If you are considering applying for the Master of International
Relations (Advanced), you will need to maintain a GPA of 6/7 in the Master of
International Relations (ANU courses only, credit will not be included in this
calculation) and have completed 72 units of study (this can include credit from
previous study). You should also ensure that you undertake the elective
INTR8072 Approaches and Methods in International Relations as this is a
compulsory course in the Advanced Program.
A GPA of 6/7 is equivalent to a Distinction average. See GPA website for more information.
Applications to transfer generally close 31 May for a semester 2 transfer and 31 October for a transfer to semester 1 the following year. This means that you need to apply before you have received your final results however the application will only be processed once all grades are finalised.
For more information, please see the following websites:
Master of International Relations (Advanced)
If you have any queries regarding your degree, courses or enrolments, please feel free to contact the Student Engagement Team at: bell.postgrad@anu.edu.au
We look forward to assisting you through your degree and your time here at ANU with the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and the Department of International Relations
Double degree
If you are undertaking the Master of International Relations as a Flexible Vertical
Double degree, you will undertake the following courses in your undergraduate
degree:
INTR8069 Writing International Relations 12 Units
INTR8071 World Politics 12 Units
Academic Advice
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact International Relations Student Office at: bell.postgrad@anu.edu.au