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Study Political Science & International Relations in Australia

Programs
125
Universities
23
Tuition from
A$27,000

Political science and international relations are taught across about 11 Australian universities, with roughly 34 programs for international students. The common postgraduate qualifications are the Master of International Relations, the Master of Public Policy, and coursework masters in political science, diplomacy, or national security, most of which accept a bachelor degree in any field. Bachelor degrees in politics and international relations are widely available too.

Fees run from the high AUD 20,000s at Edith Cowan and the University of the Sunshine Coast to around AUD 50,000 at the research-intensive universities, with most programs between AUD 30,000 and AUD 46,000 a year. Standard entry is a bachelor with a credit average and IELTS 6.5. Canberra is the natural base for the field, with the federal public service, the diplomatic corps, and the national security agencies all in the city.

Migration angle. Political science and international relations do not map neatly onto the skilled occupation lists, and many Australian public-sector and policy roles require citizenship. Graduates more often use the degree for work with international organisations, NGOs, research, and journalism, for further study, or paired with a field that does have a migration pathway.

Compare Political Science & International Relations programs

The 60 lowest-tuition Political Science & International Relations degrees for international students, of 125 in our dataset. Tuition is the indicative annual international fee; IELTS is the program’s own overall minimum where it sets one, otherwise the university’s institutional minimum. Confirm both on the course page before you apply.

Political Science & International Relations programs for international students at Australian universities, with university, degree level, duration, annual international tuition, and IELTS requirement, sorted by tuition.
UniversityProgramLevelDurationTuition / yrIELTS
Edith Cowan UniversityPerthBachelor of Criminology and JusticeUndergraduate3 yearsA$27,0006.0
University of CanberraCanberraBachelor of Politics and International RelationsUndergraduate3 yearsA$28,0006.0
University of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsBachelor of Criminology and JusticeUndergraduate3 yearsA$28,5006.0
Murdoch UniversityPerthBachelor of Global SecurityUndergraduate3 yearsA$29,0006.0
Murdoch UniversityPerthMaster of Development StudiesGraduate2 yearsA$29,0006.0
Murdoch UniversityPerthGraduate Certificate in Public PolicyGraduate6 monthsA$30,0006.0
Murdoch UniversityPerthGraduate Diploma in Community DevelopmentGraduate1 yearA$30,0006.0
Murdoch UniversityPerthMaster of Community DevelopmentGraduate—A$30,0006.0
Murdoch UniversityPerthMaster of Public PolicyGraduate2 yearsA$30,0006.0
University of CanberraCanberraBachelor of GovernmentUndergraduate3 yearsA$30,0006.0
Flinders UniversityAdelaideBachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) 1 yearUndergraduate1 yearA$30,5006.0
University of CanberraCanberraBachelor of Business, Government and Policy (Honours)Undergraduate1 yearA$30,5006.5
University of QueenslandBrisbaneGraduate Certificate in International RelationsGraduate6 monthsA$31,0006.5
University of QueenslandBrisbaneGraduate Certificate in Peace and Conflict StudiesGraduate6 monthsA$31,0006.5
Flinders UniversityAdelaideBachelor of International Relations and Political ScienceUndergraduate3 yearsA$31,9006.0
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastBachelor of Criminology and Criminal JusticeUndergraduate3 yearsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in Disability Policy and AdvocacyGraduate8 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in Gender PolicyGraduate8 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in International DevelopmentGraduate6 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in LGBTQIA+ PolicyGraduate8 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in Policy and DataGraduate6 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in Policy EvaluationGraduate8 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in Public AdministrationGraduate1 yearA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Certificate in Public PolicyGraduate8 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraGraduate Diploma in Public PolicyGraduate17 monthsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraMaster of International DevelopmentGraduate2 yearsA$32,0006.5
University of CanberraCanberraMaster of Public PolicyGraduate2 yearsA$32,0006.0
University of QueenslandBrisbaneGraduate Certificate in Governance and Public PolicyGraduate6 monthsA$32,4006.5
Flinders UniversityAdelaideBachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) - 4 year direct entryUndergraduate4 yearsA$32,6006.0
University of QueenslandBrisbaneMaster of International RelationsGraduate2 yearsA$32,9006.5
University of QueenslandBrisbaneMaster of Peace and Conflict StudiesGraduate2 yearsA$32,9006.5
Flinders UniversityAdelaideGraduate Certificate in International RelationsGraduate6 monthsA$33,0006.0
Flinders UniversityAdelaideGraduate Certificate in Public PolicyGraduate6 monthsA$33,0006.0
Flinders UniversityAdelaideGraduate Diploma in International RelationsGraduate1 yearA$33,0006.0
University of QueenslandBrisbaneGraduate Diploma in Governance and Public PolicyGraduate1 yearA$33,4006.5
Flinders UniversityAdelaideMaster of International RelationsGraduate2 yearsA$33,7006.0
Flinders UniversityAdelaideMaster of Public PolicyGraduate2 yearsA$33,7006.0
University of QueenslandBrisbaneMaster of Governance and Public PolicyGraduate1.5 yearsA$33,7006.5
Deakin UniversityMelbourne/GeelongBachelor of International StudiesUndergraduate3 yearsA$34,0006.0
University of WollongongWollongongGraduate Certificate in International RelationsGraduate6 monthsA$35,0006.5
University of WollongongWollongongGraduate Diploma in International RelationsGraduate1 yearA$35,0006.0
University of WollongongWollongongMaster of International RelationsGraduate1 yearA$35,0006.0
University of WollongongWollongongMaster of International Relations ExtensionGraduate2 yearsA$35,0006.5
University of QueenslandBrisbaneBachelor of International StudiesUndergraduate3 yearsA$35,1006.5
University of WollongongWollongongGraduate Certificate in Law of the SeaGraduate6 monthsA$35,3006.5
University of WollongongWollongongMaster of LawsGraduate1 yearA$35,3006.5
University of WollongongWollongongMaster of Maritime PolicyGraduate1 yearA$35,3006.5
La Trobe UniversityMelbourneBachelor of Global StudiesUndergraduate3 yearsA$35,8006.5
La Trobe UniversityMelbourneBachelor of Politics, Philosophy and EconomicsUndergraduate3 yearsA$35,8006.0
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastBachelor of Advanced Political Science and International Relations (Honours)Undergraduate4 yearsA$36,5006.5
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastBachelor of Political Science and International RelationsUndergraduate3 yearsA$36,5006.5
Curtin UniversityPerthMaster of International RelationsGraduate2 yearsA$36,6006.5
Charles Darwin UniversityDarwinGraduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy DevelopmentGraduate1 yearA$37,7006.0
Charles Darwin UniversityDarwinMaster of Public PolicyGraduate2 yearsA$37,7006.0
Bond UniversityGold CoastBachelor of International RelationsUndergraduate2 yearsA$38,4006.5
Bond UniversityGold CoastBachelor of Policy, Philosophy and EconomicsUndergraduate2 yearsA$38,4006.5
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastMaster of International RelationsGraduate2 yearsA$38,5006.0
UNSW SydneySydneyMaster of Public Policy and GovernanceGraduate2 yearsA$39,6006.5
RMIT UniversityMelbourneGraduate Diploma in Public PolicyGraduate1 yearA$39,8006.0
Bond UniversityGold CoastMaster of International Relations (Professional)Graduate22 monthsA$39,9006.5

Figures are approximate, drawn from this site’s database and each program’s official course page, and change annually. A dash means the figure is not published at program level.

Universities known for Political Science & International Relations

There is no official field-level ranking of Australian universities. These are the ones with a recognised reputation in Political Science & International Relations, strongest first.

  1. 1Australian National UniversityThe strongest school in the country for the field, with the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, the Crawford School of Public Policy, and the National Security College, all in Canberra.
  2. 2UNSW SydneyWell regarded for politics and international relations, with strength in human rights, security, and Australian foreign policy.
  3. 3Macquarie UniversityLong-established politics and international relations department with a broad coursework offering in Sydney.
  4. 4Griffith UniversityThe Griffith Asia Institute anchors strong work on the Indo-Pacific, regional security, and development.
  5. 5Deakin UniversityThe Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation gives its international relations programs a research base.

Typical entry requirements

Entry to a bachelor degree needs a completed senior secondary qualification (or a recognised foundation year) that meets the university's minimum, plus an English test, usually IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 (PTE Academic 50 to 58). Entry to a postgraduate coursework degree needs a relevant bachelor degree, often with a credit average, and IELTS 6.5 (PTE 58). Registration-based fields (nursing, teaching, psychology, architecture) set higher English bars and additional requirements. Always confirm the exact requirements for the specific program.

Political Science & International Relations in Australia: common questions

Which Australian university is best for international relations?

There is no official field-level ranking, but the Australian National University has the clearest reputation for political science, international relations, and public policy, helped by its location in Canberra and its dedicated schools for Asia-Pacific affairs, public policy, and national security. UNSW, Macquarie, Griffith, and Deakin also have recognised strengths.

Does a political science degree help with skilled migration to Australia?

Not directly. Policy, intelligence, and most government analyst roles in Australia require citizenship, and the field does not sit cleanly on the skilled occupation lists the way computing, engineering, nursing, and accounting do. If permanent residence is the goal, treat this degree as something to combine with a profession that has a clearer pathway, or plan around roles with international organisations and NGOs.

Can I study international relations in Australia without a related bachelor?

Usually yes. Most Master of International Relations and Master of Public Policy programs are generalist and accept a bachelor degree in any discipline with a credit average. A few research-focused or specialist masters expect some background in politics, economics, or a related social science.

Related

Program counts and tuition figures are drawn from this site’s database and are approximate. This is general information, not admissions or migration advice.

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