Master of International Relations and Diplomacy

Summary

Drawing on UC's teaching and research strengths, graduates can now obtain a master's-level capstone qualification in the popular area of international relations and diplomacy. This degree will offer students an innovative, interdisciplinary programme of taught courses with a strong professional emphasis.

Why study a Master of International Relations and Diplomacy at UC?

• Advanced academic principles are investigated through applied tasks such as case studies and field trips.
• The core course will feature a professional seminar series.
• Graduates will carry out a substantial piece of independent research.
• Utilises UC's teaching and research strengths across various departments
• Students benefit from on-campus research resources, for example the National Research Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE) and the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies.

How do I plan my degree?

The Master of International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRAD) comprises 180 points as follows:

• 30 point compulsory course
• 90 points of elective courses, chosen from a variety of options
• 60 point research dissertation.

Subjects and courses

All students must complete:

• the compulsory 30-point course POLS441 Principles and Practice of International Relations and Diplomacy.
• the 60-point research dissertation POLS 688 Dissertation (15–20,000 words)

And another 90 points of elective courses:

• 60 points chosen from Schedule E Group 1 (400-level Political Science and International Relations courses)
• 30 points chosen from Schedule E Group 2 (400-level courses from different disciplines such as European and European Union Studies, History, Professional and Community Engagement, and Pacific Studies, and 600-level courses from International Relations and Politics)

Further study

Students can go onto a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science and International Relations.

Career opportunities

The MIRAD caters perfectly for students interested in careers in foreign affairs or inter-state coordination.

While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not require specific tertiary pathways, applicants can find it advantageous to have a postgraduate degree in an analytical subject.

Graduates will leave UC having:

• advanced knowledge of current research in international relations
• advanced knowledge of current professional practice in diplomacy and related fields
• the ability to understand theoretical and practical problems in international relations and diplomacy
• proven expertise in research processes (eg, formulating a research question, data collection and analysis, case study analysis and hypothesis testing)
• engaged with senior university staff and senior figures in politics and policy.

Start date: Monthly by arrangement with supervisor