Graduate Diploma in International Relations

If you're passionate about global politics and want to learn how shape the future, La Trobe's Graduate Diploma in International Relations will give you the foundations to advance your career. Learn how to navigate the complex power dynamics between governments, multilateral organisations, international businesses and INGOs, and prepare to take on roles in these arenas. You'll graduate with the skills to navigate current global issues and create positive change across cultures and societies.

Delve into the history of international relations and explore contemporary approaches. Examine key frameworks and understand the complex relationships that drive global trade, security and governance.

You'll explore public policy that promotes social justice and explore key themes of poverty, gender, inequality and the threat of war. Understand how foreign policy is made and build your knowledge of international law. Then explore the sprawling networks of global economic interdependence, while investigating both the harms and benefits of globalisation. You'll understand the issues from a meta perspective, so you can help shape policies for governments and intergovernmental organisations such as the World Bank, ASEAN and the United Nations.

Learn from high-profile academic staff with extensive research and teaching experience. Outstanding educators who are passionate and deeply knowledgeable about their subject matter, our academics are renowned commentators who are frequently quoted in local and international media, and whose expertise is regularly sought by government committees.

After successfully completing the Graduate Diploma in International Relations, you could receive up to one year of advanced standing. This provides a pathway to transfer directly into the second year of La Trobe's Master of International Relations, should you decide to further your studies.

Gain the skills you need to build a successful career with an international focus. Broaden your understanding of the world around you and graduate ready to influence change on a global scale.

You'll learn:

• Political theory
  • Uncover the systems, processes, history and actors that define modern international relations, diplomacy and trade.
• International law and process
  
  • Build the skills and knowledge to navigate complex international policy and process frameworks.
  
  
• Professional communication
  • Learn how to translate complex information into actionable outcomes and articulate your insights for a wide range of professional audiences.
• International security
  • Build your understanding of international security in the 21st century. Understand how the notion of security has moved beyond a military perspective, and explore human and environmental security, terrorism, transnational crime and the impacts of global health crises.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8 - Graduate Diploma.

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.