Core Zone
This zone consists of all the compulsory requirements for the degree.
80 credit points
Qualification
80 credit points
Master of International Relations
UAC CODE: 860259 (North Ryde), 860260 (Distance)
Overview
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Study options
- Part Time
- Full Time
- Off-campus
- In person, on campus
Duration Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
- Full time: 1 year (or equivalent part time)
Fees The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
- Domestic Fee-paying
- Estimated annual fee AUD $36,300
Location and start dates
North Ryde:
- Session 1 (22 February 2027)
- Session 2 (26 July 2027)
Off-campus:
- Session 1 (22 February 2027)
- Session 2 (26 July 2027)
Summary
Key features
- Gain insight from global leaders and practitioners
Hear from diplomats, counterterrorism experts and UN officials via guest lectures, seminars, and, from 2027, global study tours.
- Build networks that shape international careers
Connect with employers at industry events and during high-level delegations attended by DFAT, the AFP, the ADF, ASIS, NGOs and more.
- Boost your employability with a double degree
Pair this degree with one in criminology, intelligence, international business or strategy and security to broaden your expertise.
- Be part of a supportive, connected community
Learn within a culturally diverse cohort, with close teacher–student connections, personalised guidance and regular social events.
Career outcomes
With a rapidly evolving job market, it’s vital that you have the right skills to evolve with it. We’ll help you upskill or reskill so you can take the next career step in your current industry, or move to one that matches your changing interests. View professions and potential employers.
See career outcomesAbout the Master of International Relations at Macquarie University
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is home to a passionate community of scholars committed to equipping you with skills for the future via transformative education and world-leading research. Through our interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research, you'll develop capabilities to address local, national and global challenges.
Learn more about the faculty
Studying at Macquarie
Our vibrant and leafy campus forms part of one of the largest business and technology precincts in Australia. To ensure you have the right skills when you graduate — whether you're starting your first job or taking your career to the next level — we offer flexible study options, personalised degrees and practical experiences.
Benefits of studying at Macquarie
Course structure
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Focused and flexible study
Where you can study
Off-campus
In person, on campus
Core Zone
80 credit points
Your degree’s core zone provides the focus of your preferred area of study and consists of all the units you’ll need to complete to meet your degree’s requirements.
Essential units
80 credit points
Complete each unit below.
Essential units are units that you must complete to qualify for your degree.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
Career outcomes
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Take the next step in your career
Professions
- Aid and development officer
- Conflict resolution specialist
- Corporate social responsibility adviser
- Diplomat
- Foreign affairs adviser
- Human rights advocate
- Humanitarian response manager
- International development adviser
- International law consultant
- International policy adviser
- International political adviser
- International relations manager
- International trade specialist
- Migration and refugee policy specialist
- Multilateral relations specialist
- Paralegal
- Political affairs officer
- Regional business manager
- Researcher
- Treaty compliance officer
Employers
- Advertising and media agencies
- Banks and financial institutions
- Consulting firms
- Cybersecurity and intelligence agencies
- Diplomatic and consular agencies
- Government agencies and departments
- Human rights organisations
- Humanitarian aid, health and development agencies
- International agencies and departments
- Media and news outlets
- Multilateral development organisations
- Multinational corporations
- NGOs
- Policy institutes
- Refugee and migration agencies
- Research institutes
- Think tanks and policy research institutes
- Trade and development organisations
- United Nations
Career information
Job and Skills Australia – an Australian Government initiative – provides accessible labour-market data, research and tools to help you understand Australia’s current and projected workforce-skills needs.
Multiply your employability
Career service
Get help preparing a résumé, identifying job opportunities and connecting with employers.
Co-designed degrees
Study a degree co-designed with industry, and graduate with the knowledge and skills employers want.
Winner
AFR Employability Award, 2020
Entry requirements
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Simple steps to entry at Macquarie
See if you meet the academic requirements
Check if you qualify for recognition of prior learning
Do you meet some, but not all of the requirements?
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to this degree at the admission point below.
Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the degree’s zones, which will affect the overall duration of the degree.
Guide to admission points
| Complete this degree in: | If you meet the below or hold a recognised equivalent*: | Course structure: |
|---|---|---|
1 year (full-time, or equivalent duration if available part-time) |
or
| Core Zone (80 credit points) View course structure |
Related fields for prior qualifications
Political Science and Policy Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Studies in Human Society, Social Work, Welfare Studies, Behavioural Science, Law, Linguistics, Literature, Language and Literature, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Economics, Criminology, Society and Culture, Communication and Media Studies, International Business Anthropology, International Relations, History, Security Studies, Business, Social Science, Humanities
AQF levels
*'Bachelor’s qualification' relates to an AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent.
Relevant experience
In international relations - related employment or volunteer work including advisory, advocacy, consultancy, representation, analysis, research, management in public service, community, government relations, political and social, international or professional bodies, organisations, institutes or associations.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
View our guideComplete your degree sooner
Full degree duration
Admission point considerations
Credit for prior learning eligibility
You may qualify to complete your degree sooner!
Recognition of prior learning
With recognition of prior learning (RPL), you could get credit for your prior study and experience, reducing the duration of your studies. Credit is awarded for formal and informal or non-formal learning. You’ll need to apply for RPL once you receive your offer to study at Macquarie.
Find out moreYour prior learning may consist of:
- Formal learning
- Informal and non-formal learning
English language requirements
When applying to study at Macquarie University, you’re required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
You may satisfy the English language requirements by:
- passing an approved English language test at the required level
- holding a qualification from an approved country with English as the language of instruction
Learn more about English language requirements for applications direct to Macquarie University
The required standard of English for this degree is:
| IELTS band | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6 |
| Writing | 6 |
| Listening | 6 |
| Speaking | 6 |
Additional information and requirements
Assumed knowledge
Recommended studies
Inherent requirements
To be eligible to graduate from your course, you must satisfy the inherent requirements – essential activities, capacities and academic requisites – of that course.
View inherent requirementsFees and scholarships
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Fees
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on a standard full-time study load. Fees may increase each year. For courses longer than one year in duration, you'll pay the fee that is current for the year that you enrol.
Find out moreEstimated cost
The cost of your studies may vary based on:- units chosen
- government support received
- approved credit for prior learning or work experience.
Domestic fee paying
AUD $36,300
Estimated annual fee
AUD $453.75
Fee per credit point
Government assistance
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students enrolled in Domestic fee-paying courses. It's used to defer full or part of your tuition fee and can't be used for additional study costs, such as accommodation or textbooks.
Student amenities fee
You’re required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) to Macquarie University in compliance with the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011 (Cth). The fee contributes to services, support and facilities of a non-academic nature.
Learn about SSAFScholarships
Macquarie University offers a variety of scholarships that recognise a range of factors, including academic or athletic achievement, leadership experience and volunteer work, or financial need and hardship. Additional scholarships may be available for selected areas of study.
Scholarships available for eligible postgraduate students, studying the Master of International Relations
All
Australian Defence Force PG Sponsorship
Applications close: No separate application
Award value: 10% of total tuition fees for standard course duration
Find out moreAcademic
Aboriginal
Disability
Financial
Leadership
Rural
Macquarie Advantage Scholarship (Postgraduate)
Financial support for postgraduate study.
Applications close: Nov Round: 13 November 2026; Dec Round 2: 10 December 2026; Jan Round 2: 8 January 2027
Award value: $12,000 per year for standard course duration
Find out moreAcademic
Macquarie University Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme 10% sponsorship
Supporting postgraduate studies for our alumni
Applications close: No separate application
Award value: 10% of total tuition fees for standard course duration
Find out moreFinancial
Academic
Aboriginal
Walanga Muru (Follow Your Path) Scholarship
A scholarship to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking a postgraduate degree who demonstrate financial hardship and the determination to overcome it.
Applications close: Application form for 2027 will be available soon.
Award value: $10,000 one-off for one-off award
Find out moreHow to apply
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looking to start my course in
Course details
Course title:
Master of International Relations
UAC code:
860259 (North Ryde), 860260 (Distance)
Starting year:
2027
Application instructions
Australian or New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or holders of Australian permanent resident humanitarian visas who are applying to study this course must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website.
To be considered for this course, you must search (based on the UAC Code provided above in the red box) and include it as one of your preferences.
What you need to apply
To complete your application, you may require the following documents:
- Proof of Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency
- Evidence of previous academic qualifications and transcripts (including translations if your qualifications are not in English)
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if required)
Steps to apply
Decide on your course
Explore your entry options and check the requirements
Gather your documentation
Submit your application
Help with your application
For help with your application, or if you have any questions, contact our team.
Future Students
T: +61 (2) 9850 6767
E: futurestudents@mq.edu.au
Important dates
| Session/Year | Location | Applications open | Applications close | Session commences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | North Ryde | 2 September 2026 | 8 February 2027 | 22 February 2027 |
| Session 2 | North Ryde | 2 September 2026 | 12 July 2027 | 26 July 2027 |
| Session 1 | Off-campus | 2 September 2026 | 8 February 2027 | 22 February 2027 |
| Session 2 | Off-campus | 2 September 2026 | 12 July 2027 | 26 July 2027 |
Ask a question
If you’d like to know more about studying at Macquarie University, we’d love to hear from you.