A6013 Master of International Relations (Double Masters with Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Monash minimum: Level A, that is: IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or TOEFL Paper-based test: 550 with a TWE of 4.5; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test

This international double master's program enables you to complete the requirements of the Monash Master of International Relations as well as a second degree with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).

You will study one year at Monash University in Australia and one year at the partner university. On successful completion of the academic program at Monash and the academic program at the partner university, students will be eligible to graduate with the degrees from both institutions, awarded separately.

This double degree course is subject to maximum quotas for each partner university. If you are interested you must inquire directly to the course coordinator for Master of International Relations in the Faculty of Arts at Monash, and if eligible, will be invited to apply.

Our world is being shaped by big questions about global justice, war, peace, social movements, and inter-state relations. These questions help define what this Master of International Relations is all about. In short, this course offers students a window into the diverse and dynamic world of politics in the 21st century.

The course offers a range of topics such as global security, economics and human rights with four specialisations, focusing on:

• gender, peace and security
• foreign policy and security
• international diplomacy and trade
• political violence and counter-terrorism.

You may also choose to complete advanced international relations.

This course provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of international affairs, grounded in the key debates framing global politics and driven by in-depth empirical analysis. Through this, students will be able to make sense of the complexity of global politics by providing the analytical perspectives and skills needed to see both the 'bigger picture' and comprehend detailed aspects of specific issues.

Subject to conditions, students have the opportunity to study abroad, and to develop research interests in a number of areas, providing them with a potential pathway into a higher research degree. Our graduates have gone on to a broad range of occupations and have been employed by the likes of the United Nations, the Australian Government, and non-governmental organisations such as the International Red Cross.

Specialisations

Gender, peace and security

This specialisation focuses on the role that gender politics plays in the causes, conduct and resolution of conflict, along with the search for peace and security in international relations. It equips you with the gender-sensitive, gender-responsive and gender-inclusive knowledge to navigate contemporary peace and security issues including violent extremism, humanitarian crisis response and designing and implementing peace processes. This specialisation is relevant to students pursuing careers in foreign policy, aid and development sectors and gender advising as well as defence policy and security sector reform.  

Foreign policy and security

This specialisation critically explores the theory and practice of foreign policy in an insecure world. Understood in the broadest sense, security includes both people and states, and encompasses issues from nuclear warfare to hunger to human rights violations. The specialisation focuses in particular on the causes and consequences of inter and intra-state conflict, and how state policies and non-state actors’ behaviour exacerbate and mitigate insecurity. It is designed to support careers in government, defence and intelligence, inter-governmental organisations, NGOs, and the private sector.    

International diplomacy and trade

This specialisation advances your knowledge across international trade, diplomacy, business and law. It is designed for people at the start of their careers as well as people working in the field who want to develop their careers in international public policy, NGOs, global business and government departments such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Political violence and counter-terrorism

This specialisation engages critically with manifestations of political violence, as well as the ideologies and conditions that give rise to political violence. It focuses on understanding terrorism and political extremism, the conditions associated with preventing and combating political violence, and the impacts of these activities on democratic and civil liberties. This specialisation supports a variety of careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors.  

Advanced international relations

This enables you to tailor your unit choices to suit your own interests or needs while addressing the fundamental debates framing global politics. By selecting across the range of specialisations, you will be able to examine key issues in foreign policy, global governance and political economy, security, human rights, crisis management, gender, diplomacy and trade, political violence or terrorism. It offers maximum flexibility to customise your course to your intended career path.