ObjectivesThe forces of globalisation are generating profound effects on many spheres of economic, social and political activity, and a deeper knowledge of international relations is becoming necessary in many areas of public life. The International Relations program aims to produce graduates who are able to demonstrate, in their professional life, high-level skills of analysis and interpretation of global issues and events, and substantial understanding of the complexities of contemporary international relations. The program is offered at graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters levels to meet a variety of needs in terms of entry qualifications and graduation options.
Entry requirementsAn applicant for admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate of International Relations shall normally possess a Bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent. Graduate Certificate applicants without a first degree but with relevant professional experience and appropriate prior learning will be eligible for admission into the Graduate Certificate of International Relations and on successful completion be eligible to transfer to the Graduate Diploma or Masters coursework programs with full credit for the units completed. Non-graduates holding professional military qualifications and seeking recognition for prior learning with work experience of five years may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate of International Relations as Deakin University recognises some service education programs as appropriate and in some cases equivalent to undergraduate study. Overseas professional military qualifications will be assessed accordingly. For Australian Defence Force Officers this equates to the normal training and education of General Service (Army) or Direct Entry (Air Force or Navy) Officers up to and including completion of the Intermediate Staff Course in the Army, the Junior Officers Management Course and the Junior Officers Strategic Studies Course in the Royal Australian Navy and the Squadron Leader Course and the Staff Skills 1 course in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Academic titleGraduate Certificate of International Relations
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study. If you are studying a graduate certificate of 4 credit points, your total course EFTSL is 0.5.
This is a fee-paying course. Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance in paying these tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP go to http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/fees/.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
The program is designed for those working in the public service, private sector corporations and small business, non-government organisations and in a range of professions who seek to develop systematic understandings of the international forces shaping their environment and enhance their skills in analysis and interpretation.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of International Relations, a student must successfully complete 4 credit points of study from the specified list of units below.
Course structure
Trimester 1
AIR716 Gender, War and Peace
AIR719 The United Nations and International Law
AIR726 Human Rights in the International System
AIR747 Contemporary International Politics
Trimester 2
AIR728 International Political Economy
AIR729 Refugees in Global Politics
AIR748 Contemporary Security and Strategy
AIR751 International Humanitarian Law
Trimester 2 or trimester 3
AIR712 Australia in the World
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
An applicant for admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate of International Relations shall normally possess a Bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent.
Graduate Certificate applicants without a first degree but with relevant professional experience and appropriate prior learning will be eligible for admission into the Graduate Certificate of International Relations and on successful completion be eligible to transfer to the Graduate Diploma or Masters coursework programs with full credit for the units completed.
Non-graduates holding professional military qualifications and seeking recognition for prior learning with work experience of five years may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate of International Relations as Deakin University recognises some service education programs as appropriate and in some cases equivalent to undergraduate study. Overseas professional military qualifications will be assessed accordingly. For Australian Defence Force Officers this equates to the normal training and education of General Service (Army) or Direct Entry (Air Force or Navy) Officers up to and including completion of the Intermediate Staff Course in the Army, the Junior Officers Management Course and the Junior Officers Strategic Studies Course in the Royal Australian Navy and the Squadron Leader Course and the Staff Skills 1 course in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Applications for advanced standing will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and the Masters course in International Relations comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of International Relations will lead to admission into either the Graduate Diploma of International Relations or the Master of Arts (International Relations) with up to 4 credit points of advanced standing. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of International Relations or equivalent will lead to admission into the Master of Arts (International Relations) with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.