Master of International Relations, Master of Journalism

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Master of International Relations and Master of Journalism at Monash University is a two-year double master’s designed for students who want to combine advanced understanding of global politics with professional journalism and media skills. Students explore international security, global justice, foreign policy and international affairs while developing research, interviewing and reporting capabilities across print, online, radio and video, making the program particularly relevant to careers in international journalism, government, NGOs and global communications.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their foundation across both disciplines, studying Journalism Practice and Media, Law and Ethics alongside core International Relations studies. Journalism Practice develops practical abilities in researching stories, interviewing, news and feature writing, while Media, Law and Ethics examines the legal, ethical, political and technological issues shaping journalism and media accountability.

Year 2: The second year moves toward advanced professional and applied work, combining International Relations core and capstone studies with Journalism core studies and Professional Practice. Students complete a Journalism Capstone and International Relations Capstone, allowing them to consolidate their analytical, research and professional skills across both fields.

Focus Areas

Gender, peace and security, global migration, international diplomacy and trade, political violence and counter-terrorism, advanced international relations, investigative journalism, media law and ethics, journalism practice, global security and international affairs.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to critically analyse international affairs, investigate and research contemporary issues, communicate findings to professional audiences, understand the ethical and legal responsibilities of journalism, and apply journalism production skills across print, online, radio and video media.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional alignment: The course combines academic and practice-based journalism education with professional practice and industry-oriented learning; Monash's current course guide specifically identifies industry experience for this double master's. No separate professional accreditation is stated on the official course page for the double degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

QS: Monash University is ranked #40 globally for Communication & Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The university also states that the Journalism component is taught by award-winning journalists and academics with strong industry links.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Master of International Relations, Master of Journalism at Monash University gain practical experience by combining international affairs with professional journalism and media production. The double master’s provides opportunities to undertake internships, international field experiences, cross-disciplinary work and research, while Journalism students can use the professional facilities of the Monash Media Lab to develop skills in television, radio, digital storytelling and multimedia production. Students can also build professional networks through Monash’s industry connections and global opportunities:

Internships: Students can undertake an internship as part of the degree, with opportunities connected to public and private-sector organisations, including foreign consulates, development NGOs, government agencies and media organisations. Monash also lists a graduate Professional Internship (APG5044) worth 12 credit points and 210 hours.
Cross-disciplinary projects: The double degree allows students to undertake projects or internships that integrate International Relations and Journalism, providing a direct way to combine policy, international affairs and media practice.
International field schools: International Relations students can participate in field experiences, including opportunities to observe policymaking in Washington, D.C.; the university describes international field schools as part of its practical global experience.
Global newsroom visits: Journalism students can gain firsthand exposure to international media organisations through global field schools, with Monash highlighting visits to organisations such as The New York Times, BuzzFeed and Bloomberg in New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Monash Media Lab: Students have access to professional media-production facilities including an open-plan newsroom, broadcast TV studio, TV control room, radio studios and editing suites, supporting practical journalism and multimedia work.
Television production: The TV studio includes three cameras, a teleprompter, radio microphones, production control room, panel-host desk and lighting equipment, allowing students to work on broadcast-style productions.
Radio and podcast production: Three soundproof radio studios provide Rodecaster Pro mixers, audio interfaces, condenser microphones, headphones and iMac computers for podcasts, interviews, panel shows and voice recording.
Digital editing: Eight private soundproof edit and voice-recording suites provide 5K iMacs and Adobe Audition, Photoshop and Premiere Pro, giving students access to professional digital production and editing tools.
Newsroom and digital storytelling: Journalism coursework includes practical work across digital, audio, video and print media, including digital storytelling using data analysis and infographics.
Student publishing: The Master of Journalism provides opportunities for student publishing, alongside internships and global study experiences, helping students develop professional journalism work.
Research pathway: High-achieving students can undertake a research thesis, providing a pathway toward higher-degree research such as a PhD.
Libraries: Students have access to Monash library facilities, including Caulfield Library and the Sir Louis Matheson Library, with collaborative study spaces, media-enabled facilities, advanced technologies and special collections.
Professional development: The Faculty of Arts provides a Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) designed to develop professional skills and support personalised career planning alongside coursework.
Industry experience: Monash reports an example of a Master of International Relations and Master of Journalism student completing an internship at ABC News Breakfast, gaining hands-on experience of how news is produced in a television newsroom.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of International Relations and Master of Journalism combines advanced knowledge of international affairs with professional journalism, research and reporting skills, preparing graduates for careers that connect global affairs, media and public communication. Graduates can pursue roles such as journalist, communications adviser, policy analyst, or media adviser, with Monash highlighting pathways across government, NGOs, media organisations and public and private-sector organisations.

These opportunities are supported by Monash’s career services, industry connections and practical pathways:

Career support: Monash’s CareerEdge provides personalised career guidance, while its jobs and opportunities platform lists internships, graduate programs and employment opportunities.
Graduate support: After graduation, Career Connect remains available for 12 months, including assistance with job applications and interviews; Monash Talent provides access to employment services for the first three years after graduation.
Internships: The program includes industry-experience opportunities, and Monash’s internship system can provide credit-bearing placements with industry partners.
International Relations industry connections: The Master of International Relations is an affiliate member of APSIA, giving students access to an international network for career, internship and professional-development opportunities. Its internships can involve foreign consulates, development NGOs, national media outlets and state government agencies.
Media partnerships: Monash identifies media internship opportunities with organisations including ABC, Channel 9, The Age and SBS, providing opportunities to build professional portfolios and industry connections.
Industry destinations: Monash’s Journalism graduates have progressed into organisations including ABC, Austereo, Cricket Australia, Crikey, Herald Sun, Nova 100, Sony, Telstra, The Age and The Conversation.
Graduate outcomes: Monash reports that 89–91% of Arts graduates were in full-time employment or further study within one to three years of graduation in the cited outcomes data. This figure covers the broader Arts graduate population rather than this specific double master's course.
Salary information: Monash's official course pages reviewed for this program do not state a specific graduate salary or median salary, so a course-specific salary figure is not stated here.
Professional portfolio: Journalism study at Monash develops research and reporting across print, online, radio and video, while student media such as MOJO News provides opportunities to produce journalism to industry standards.
International professional value: The qualification combines two master's degrees and develops the ability to analyse international issues and communicate complex ideas to specialist and general audiences, supporting careers across international, government and media settings.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the double master's, students can progress toward a graduate research degree by undertaking the research thesis pathway; Monash specifically identifies the research option as a pathway toward higher-degree research. Graduates can also pursue further postgraduate study in related fields such as international relations, public policy, international development, communications or journalism.