Political Science and International Relations

Political Science and International Relations at UWA offers innovative and cutting-edge undergraduate and postgraduate programs that prepare students to creatively, critically and responsibly address our most important local, national, regional and global challenges. 

As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight Australian research-intensive universities, we combine our world-class research with our passion for teaching. We infuse our classrooms with our global expertise to inspire and prepare you – the next generation of leaders in your fields. In our research and our teaching we invite you to join us in tackling the big issues of our era: environmental change, inequality, sustainable development, democracy, governance, power, racism, religion, public health, migration, human rights, conflict and more. 

Based in Perth, WA, we are uniquely placed to lead Australia’s academic engagement with the politics and diplomacy of the dynamic Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions – Asia, Africa and the Middle East – including the international relations of the United States, India and China. Drawing on our extensive governmental and global networks, we engage our students directly with policymakers, practitioners and diplomats both in our courses and through a range of professional work placements, internships and international collaboration opportunities, from the WA Parliament to policy thinktanks on the East Coast to the UN in New York. And you will be part of our own innovative centres, including the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, the Africa Research & Engagement Centre, the Korea Research Centre  and our affiliated Public Policy Institute, Australia India Institute, Australia Indonesia Centre, Perth USAsia Centre and Australian Institute of International Affairs. 

Our major in Political Science and International Relations provides you with knowledge, skills and training in the exciting fields of Political Science, Public Policy and International Relations. Our fourth-year honours program trains you to design and write a thesis on a topic of your choice under the direct supervision of one of our academic experts, creating pathways to research careers including our PhD program. We offer flagship master’s programs in International Relations and Public Policy and affiliated programs in International Development and International Law.

These professionally and practically-oriented programs help you to link theory to practice and in doing so enhance your skills, networks and employability in a competitive global market. We prepare you for successful careers as policymakers, diplomats, politicians, policy analysts, journalists, organisational leaders, researchers and beyond – just ask our recent graduates who have taken highly sought-after positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence and with global NGOs.