Australian National University (ANU)
1 year full-time
An advanced one-year honours program for graduates seeking research-led education in international relations. Combining theoretical expertise with a substantial thesis project, this degree prepares students for professional leadership or doctoral study in global affairs.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of International Relations (Honours) from ANU or equivalent from another institution, completed within the last two years, with a weighted average mark equivalent to 70 per cent or higher. Admission requires approval from an identified supervisor for the thesis component and is subject to supervisory capacity and delegated authority approval. Competitive selection applies based on academic merit and available places.
The program comprises 48 units structured around core research training and elective specialisation. Core components include POLS4011 Research Training: Scope and Methods and THES4103 Thesis (36 units total). Students select 12 units from advanced courses including International Relations Theory, Democracy and its Discontents, Civilian Protection in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones, Terrorism and Counter Terrorism, Globalisation, State Formation and Contested Political Orders, and Interpretivist Methods in the Social Sciences. The thesis represents the capstone research project, typically 20,000 words.
ANU ranks among the world's finest universities with nearly 100,000 alumni in political, business, government, and academic leadership globally. The program exemplifies ANU's commitment to research-led education, combining rigorous academic standards with world-class supervision. The institution's strength in international relations and social sciences, combined with its research infrastructure and faculty expertise, provides exceptional preparation for advanced professional and academic careers.
Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in international diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, government agencies, international organisations, think tanks, and academia. The research-intensive nature of the degree positions graduates for doctoral study or advanced professional roles requiring sophisticated understanding of global political dynamics. Alumni of ANU's international relations programs hold positions in diplomatic services, international development organisations, policy research institutions, and universities worldwide.
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