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 the Department of Political Science and International Relations, the Department of History, and the School of Law | Te Kure Ture.
• 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.

Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree from an Aotearoa New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard.

You are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

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 (Semester 1) 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
• 90 points of elective courses:
  • 60 points chosen from Schedule A (400-level Political Science and International Relations courses)
  • 30 points chosen from Schedule B (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)
• 60-point research dissertation – POLS 688 Dissertation (15–20,000 words).

See the Regulations for the Master of International Relations and Diplomacy for an up-to-date list of courses on offer.

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 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade | Manatū Aorere 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.