Master of International Relations and Diplomacy

• Advanced academic principles are investigated through applied tasks such as case studies and field trips.
• The core course will feature a professional seminar series.
• Graduates will carry out a substantial piece of independent research.
• Utilises UC's teaching and research strengths across various departments, such as Mātai Tōrangapū, Hononga Tāwāhi | Department of Political Science and International Relations, Tāhuhu Kōrero | Department of History, and Te Kure Ture | School of Law.
• Students benefit from on-campus research resources, for example the National Research Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE) and the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies.
• UC is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Politics and International Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021).
• UC is ranked first in Aotearoa New Zealand for research in Political Science, International Relations and Public Policy (Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission 2018 PBRF assessment).

The Master of International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRAD) comprises 180 points as follows:

• 30-point compulsory course
• 90 points of elective courses, chosen from a variety of options
• 60-point research dissertation

Students start their studies in February, and the normal enrolment would be full-time for 1 year. However, with approval, students can study part-time up to 3 years.

All students must complete:

• the compulsory 30-point course POLS 441 Principles and Practice of International Relations and Diplomacy
• the 60-point research dissertation POLS 688 Dissertation (15–20,000 words)

And another 90 points of elective courses:

• 60 points chosen from Schedule E Group 1 (400-level Political Science and International Relations courses)
• 30 points chosen from Schedule E Group 2 (400-level courses from different disciplines such as European and European Union Studies, History, Professional and Community Engagement, and Pacific Studies, and 600-level courses from International Relations and Politics)

Students can go onto a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science and International Relations.

The MIRAD caters perfectly for students interested in careers in foreign affairs or inter-state coordination.

While Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not require specific tertiary pathways, applicants can find it advantageous to have a postgraduate degree in an analytical subject such as law, political science, international relations, economics, or science.

Graduates will leave UC having:

• advanced knowledge of current research in international relations
• advanced knowledge of current professional practice in diplomacy and related fields
• the ability to understand theoretical and practical problems in international relations and diplomacy
• proven expertise in research processes (eg, formulating a research question, data collection and analysis, case study analysis, and hypothesis testing)
• engaged with senior university staff and senior figures in politics and policy.