Honours Overview

Description
Note: this honours specialisation is not available for new enrolments in 2026.

Honours in International Relations develops student's understanding of the field and their capacity to contribute to this field. It introduces sophisticated disciplinary concepts and texts while developing theoretical, creative and practical skills. Students will work on an original major research project, involving the development of research skills, including preparation of research proposals and critical bibliographies, acquisition of research materials and consideration of method. Students will also develop a range of communication skills. Successful completion of an honours degree in International Relations will be very valuable in areas such as foreign policy, defence and security, international aid, development, and crisis management, and the public service', as well as preparing you for postgraduate research.
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of key theories and methods in International Relations; (2) demonstrate a broad understanding of empirical and theoretical concepts in International Relations; (3) demonstrate ability to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge with intellectual independence to provide understanding of complex problems and issues in International Relations; (4) identify, plan and implement an original research project or creative work; and (5) produce high-level oral and written communication appropriate to the discipline.

Entry requirements

The equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in the Level 3 units of the International Relations major. An offer of a place in the program is also contingent on the availability of appropriate supervision, as confirmed by the discipline chair.

Intake periods

Beginning of year only

Courses

Honours in International Relations can be taken as a specialisation in the following degrees:

No study plans found for this course. Check your chosen major, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2026 – may be available in 2027 or 2028
NS
non-standard teaching period

See the School of Social Sciences Honours Handbook for details on semester study patterns.

Take all units (36 points):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
NS ANTH4103 Knowing Social Realities: Theoretical Foundations
Incompatibility
ANTH7483 Honours Seminar 3 (Anthropology)
NS SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
any Honours Programme
or a Masters dissertation project.
Incompatibility
COMM4101 Concepts in Communication, COMM7481 Honours Seminar 1 (Communication Studies)
S1, S2 SOCS4140 Honours Dissertation 1None
S1, S2 SOCS4141 Honours Dissertation 2
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
SOCS4140 Honours Dissertation 1
Group A—take 1 unit (6 pts) from the following (Group A):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
N/A POLS5506 Gender and International Relations
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-POLSC Political Science and International Relations
or 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations
or 11580 Master of International Relations
NS POLS5507 Geopolitics
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-POLSC Political Science and International Relations
or 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations
or 11580 Master of International Relations
NS POLS5641 International Security
Incompatibility
POLS8604 Problems of International Security.
POLS5642 Contemporary Issues in International Security
Group B—take 1 unit 6 points from the following (Group B):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
NS POLS5611 Politics of Global Extremism
Incompatibility
POLS8601 Identities in Global Politics: Nationalism, Ethnicity and Religion
NS POLS5681 Governance in the International SystemNone
NS POLS5682 Responding to International Crises
Prerequisites
Successful completion of 48 points
or
24 points and prior approval from the unit coordinator