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Master of International Relations (Maritime Security and Policy)

Develop your career in international relations. Make a difference in government, non-government and not-for-profit organisations.

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For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Phone: 1300 367 869 (within Australia) or +61 2 4221 3218 (overseas)
Email: future-students@uow.edu.au
Enquiry Form: Submit an enquiry

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

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Applicants can apply directly to UOW. You may be required to have scans or electronic copies of the following documents ready to attach to your application:

Academic qualifications relevant to your application
English proficiency evidence (if required)
Evidence of your citizenship, passport, or permanent residency status

Before you apply, please check the UOW course entry requirements, intake dates, and closing dates for your chosen degree.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

Phone: 1300 367 869 (within Australia) or
+61 2 4221 3218 (overseas)
Email: future-students@uow.edu.au
Enquiry Form: Submit an enquiry

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For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?

Campus ?

Delivery ?

On Campus

Duration

1.5 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Starts

Autumn 2025
Spring 2025
Autumn 2026
Spring 2026

Codes

CRICOS: 099679A
UOW: 3014

Specialisation ?

Still deciding Maritime Security and Policy Public Health

Overview

The Master of International Relations (MIR) is a one-and-a-half-year degree designed to provide you with the advanced knowledge and skills to respond to the complex and globalised international environment. You will critically engage with key theories and issues related to the study of international relations through a range of elective subjects and specialisations. These provide the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in one of four areas: research, public health, maritime security and policy, or international policy and skills.

This degree is aimed at graduates in a related field. It offers an interdisciplinary and practical understanding of international relations. It is designed for graduates who are seeking careers addressing international issues in government and international organisations, in worldwide non-government organisations, and the business sector, or for those who are interested in undertaking further research-oriented degrees such as a PhD. The degree is also suitable for those currently employed in internationally focused positions who are interested in upgrading their knowledge and skills.

Through an innovative block teaching approach, you will study theories of international relations and a capstone experience. You will also have the opportunity to gain hands on experience through the internship program.

See the course handbook for more information.

Fee subsidised places available

UOW is offering Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for all of our postgraduate coursework degrees in 2024. This means the Australian government will subsidise your tuition fees by up to 75%. To be eligible for this fee subsidy, you must meet the following criteria: Be a domestic student, i.e. an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a permanent Australian Humanitarian visa holder.

You can specialise in a major by choosing from the following:

Major	Campus Availability
Maritime Security and Policy	Online Wollongong (Online) Wollongong (On Campus)
Public Health	Online Wollongong (Online) Wollongong (On Campus)

Maritime Security and Policy (specialisation)

The Maritime Policy and Security specialisation will give MIR students the option to focus on policy, law, and security issues related to the world’s oceans, which act as natural habitats and as a source of both international political tensions and cooperation. While this specialisation is particularly useful for those looking to work in a policy or operational context in a maritime or related field, other students will also benefit from acquiring insights on the maritime dimension of international relations. The specialisation includes Foundations of Ocean Law and Policy (SEA 901) as a mandatory core subject, with the option to choose three electives. The electives offer options to study the Law of the Sea (SEA 902), Strategy and Sea Power (SEA 903), Maritime Regulation and Enforcement (SEA 904), and Contemporary Maritime Security Issues in the Indo-Pacific Region (SEA 908). Students will also benefit from the institutional links that UOW’s Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) has established with a range of government agencies in Australia and overseas, and with other non-governmental organisations in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for future students. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

Entry Requirements
Additional information

Assumed Knowledge
The University assumes students will have studied any 2 units of English.

Entry Requirement
Completion of an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, or a UOW Grad Cert in International Relations, or an equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test
Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic
6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)
88

18

18

18

18

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

Workload
Full-Time Study Load

As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.
Credit for Prior Learning
If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

International Course fees table
Campus	Delivery method	Session fee*	Course fee*
Wollongong	On Campus	$17496 (2026)	$52488 (2026)
UOW Online Wollongong	Online	Fee not available (2026)	Fee not available (2026)
Wollongong	On Campus	$17496 (2025)	$52488 (2025)
UOW Online Wollongong	Online	Fee not available (2025)	Fee not available (2025)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewing annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

Specialisation ?

Still deciding Maritime Security and Policy Public Health

Search all courses

English Test	Overall Score	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
IELTS Academic	6.5	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
TOEFL (Internet-based)	88	18	18	18	18