There are three different streams of the Master of International Relations. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to international relations.

If you apply for Stream A or Stream B, you may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.

For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:

For the 1 year stream (A)

• Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience.

For the 1.7 year stream (B)

• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience.
• Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

For the 2 year stream (C)

• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses
• IELTS: 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest)
• TOEFL iBT: 90 overall (min. 23 in writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking)
• Pearsons Test of English: 64 overall (min. 54 in each subtest)
• C1 Advanced Cambridge: 176 overall (min. 169 in each subtest)
• C2 Proficiency Cambridge: 180 overall (min. 180 in each subtest)
• Prior study in the medium of English
• Other qualifications