Master of International Relations in Social Research

Understand and address the world’s most pressing challenges, including war and peace, social and economic justice, poverty, development and environmental sustainability. Investigate relations among states and non-state actors, including the evolution of the international system. Develop sophisticated critical thinking through this intellectually rigorous, research-intensive program. The Master of International Relations allows you to specialise in Economics, Political Economy, Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology, Social Policy and Development, or International Law. You will gain a deep understanding of complex problem solving in a globalised world. The Department of Government and International Relations is one of the largest of its kind in Australia, with links to some of the major policy think tanks in Australia, such as the Australian Institute of International Affairs, and the Lowy Institute. We also house the Centre for International Security Studies and the Electoral Integrity project. Our academics are recognised experts in international relations theory, public policy, international political economy and security, Australian and comparative politics, migration, and North and Southeast Asian politics.

The social research specialisation will offer applied skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to social research, program evaluation and policy research. The specialisation allows students to gain exposure to basic quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as choose a pathway to explore more advanced disciplinary applications. The specialisation will also be a useful pathway for postgraduate coursework dissertation students interested in building skills for a future research degree.