Postgraduate studies

The Institute for International Studies offers both research and coursework postgraduate programs.

Research degrees

The Institute accepts research students for the following higher degrees:

• Master of Arts (by thesis) in International Studies, and
• Doctor of Philosophy in International Studies.

Applications for research degree candidature are welcomed from graduates with an interest in the social, political, economic and cultural changes that have taken place in East and South-East Asia, Latin America and Europe.

The Institute also offers the following research degrees:

• Master of Arts (by thesis) in China Studies, and
• Doctor of Philosophy in China Studies.

These programs allow students to write their thesis in Chinese rather than English. Students may undertake their candidature either in China or in Australia. The Institute can supervise students in the fields of Modern and Contemporary Chinese History, Chinese Political Economy, Social Change in the People's Republic of China and Contemporary Chinese Culture.

Coursework degrees

The Institute offers the following coursework postgraduate programs in conjunction with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences:

• Master of Arts in International Studies (72 credit points)
• Graduate Diploma in International Studies (48 credit points)

The two programs are articulated so that subjects taken for the Graduate Diploma can be credited as 48 credit points towards the MA in International Studies.

Students intending to complete the 72-credit-point MA in International Studies are encouraged to enrol directly into this program, rather than enrolling initially in the Graduate Diploma and transferring to the MA. This assists students and the Institute with planning an appropriate sequence of subjects.

Both programs provide opportunities for students from any disciplinary background to study a language and culture other than English and thus add an international dimension to their undergraduate qualification. In particular, the programs enable students to:

• learn or improve their knowledge of the language of a country they choose to study
• learn about cultural diversity and comparative social change
• learn about contemporary society in the country they choose to study.

Students completing the MA program also have the opportunity to spend a semester of In-country Study at a university in their country of study, or write a dissertation related to this country.

Further information on postgraduate opportunities and details of the Postgraduate Coursework Degree Program may be found in the Postgraduate courses section of this handbook.