International Relations

What is International Relations?

Studying International Relations equips you to understand the significant trends shaping the world around you, and trains you to make sense of and situate current events in the proper analytical, historical and global context.

In an era of unprecedented social and political upheaval, the study of international politics and all it encompasses is highly relevant.

Why choose us?

International Relations:

introduces students to the major trends shaping the world around them and affecting their lives;
trains students to conceptualise and apply key approaches to contemporary international politics;
incorporates this training into the development of tangible professional opportunities;
integrates significant problems of international political economics, foreign policy, international security, international organisations, and international law and ethics into a unified analytical framework.
University of Queensland Best in Australia for Undergraduate International Relations Studies

Graduates find employment with federal government departments, such as Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence, and with state agencies concerned with trade and economic development. International organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also seek graduates with these areas of specialisation, as do employers in the private sector with interests in international business.

Programs

Research

Higher Degree by Research

Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs at UQ include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Master of Philosophy (MPhil). RHD students produce new knowledge and expertise that is innovative, relevant and progressive.

Based on the written application, an assessment will be made of the level of understanding, motivation, time commitment and financial support of the applicant for the proposed program of study.

What our graduates are doing

Hugh Jorgensen

Hugh Jorgensen, Dual Bachelors in Economics and Arts (majoring in Political Science and International Relations)

The main thing I would emphasise is that you’d be a fool to complete a major here and only ever engage with the school from inside the classroom. One of the really great things about the School is that if you do good work and have a good idea for an extra-curricular project, the staff are happy to help you bring it to fruition. I was fortunate to work on projects like ‘Politics in the Pub’, guest speaker forums, and the 2009 Asia Pacific Model United Nations Conference (AMUNC) – where I and a close friend, Jo Sampford, led a team of students that brought 500 students from around the world to the University for seven days of debate, networking and global engagement.

Had it not been for the initial support the School gave to AMUNC, I would not have had the special experience of working with a range of partners at all levels of government in Australia, being invited to New York to help the UN run its own youth UN conference, and partake in a whole host of other unique opportunities like running an event alongside a former Prime Minister. Jo and I were also fortunate to bring The School on board as the foundational partner when we created the Brisbane Model United Nations (BrizMUN), which is now a permanent annual event (I believe the largest of its kind in Australia) and, in itself, a testament to the kind of extra-curricular opportunities the School can give to its students.'

Hugh is now completing an Masters of Public Policy via a Erasmus Mundus Scholarship from the European Commission in a joint program run by the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Hague, and the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals after speanding time working at the G20 Studies Centre of the Lowy Institute.

Brooke Wylie, Dual Bachelors in Journalism and Arts (majoring in Political Science and International Relations)

As a video journalist for the nation’s first 24 hour news channel, Brooke reports news as it breaks. At every story, she films the press conferences, interviews, and overlay, as well as her own crosses, and packages.

Brooke has travelled across Queensland covering the Prime Minister, the Premier and the state’s biggest stories including; the G20, the Manoora murders in Cairns, the Queensland state election, Cyclone Marcia, the Billy Gordon controversy, Johnny Depp’s dogs, and the Greyhound racing scandal. Alongside her regular reporting responsibilities she also reports for Sky News international affiliates CNN and Sky News (UK) on stories with international appeal.

Brooke began her journalism career in 2013 – working as a news and programs producer at Sky News. Eight months later, she was promoted to the Sky News Canberra Bureau as a Producer/Reporter and member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery in January 2014. Later that year, she relocated to Queensland accepting the role of Brisbane Reporter. Prior to joining Sky News, Brooke worked in politics both in Australia and the United States.