International Relations Internship (POLS90009)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Off Campus
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Off Campus Semester 2 - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject students will be placed in an organisation which either analyses or formulates and implements policy in relation to international affairs. The range of organisations relevant to the internship is broad: international organisations, government departments, non-government organisations (including church-based aid agencies), academic and analytical think tanks. Interns will work under the supervision and guidance of a senior manager within these organisations. Students will be provided with advice by the Subject Coordinator on potential organisations to contact, but will also be required to use their own networks; their choice will then need to be ratified by the Subject Coordinator. Students will carry out research or analytical exercises of relevance to the organisation’s international affairs-related work. Students will also observe the structure, culture and policy environment of the organisation and develop advanced analytical, research and report-writing skills; as well as negotiating and interpersonal skills. Students completing this course should expect to acquire significant insight into the complexities of international relations and associated policy making and management activities. During the internship an academic supervisor will advise them.
If primary research is carried out during the internship, ethics approval is the responsibility of the host organisation.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Have an understanding of the organisation in which they are placed and of its policy-making responsibilities, approaches and context
- Demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied
- Have developed the analytical skills to evaluate the core issues of the subject
- Have an awareness of the contemporary theoretical debates and practices in the subject area
- Demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research
- Show a good capacity to communicate research in written form.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Research through the competent use of the library and other information sources and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of organisation reports
- Conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgments and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through report writing, workplace discussion and presentations
- Communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through report and workplace discussion
- Manage workloads with regard to recommended reading and the completion of organization reports
- Participate in team work through involvement in workplace placements.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-IR Master of International Relations
The selection process for this subject includes consideration of academic performance. All students need to have a GPA of 70, and be in the second half of credit points of the degree in the semester they intend to enrol (e.g. completed 100 points in the 200 program).
Permission from the internship coordinator is required. Students are required to apply for permission to enrol into this subject prior to commencement of the internship. Students should make this application via the online application form:
The selection process for this subject includes consideration of academic performance in the first half of the degree.
More application information please refer to Subject Notes.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
POLS90027 International Relations Minor Thesis
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Students undertaking an internship with a host agency may be required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:
- undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
- holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Organisational Analysis
| During placement hours | 20% |
Reflective essay
| During the examination period | 30% |
Professional Portfolio/Report
| During the examination period | 50% |
Progress Report | During placement hours | 0% |
Oral presentation
| During the teaching period | 0% |
Supervisor assessment form | Last week of placement | 0% |
| Hurdle requirement: Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Off Campus
Coordinator David McGinniss Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours A 2-hour pre-placement induction seminar and a 2-hour mid-semester catch up seminar. Other hours to be determined in consultation with host supervisor(s) and subject coordinator. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2 - Off Campus
Coordinator David McGinniss Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours A 2-hour pre-placement induction seminar and a 2-hour mid-semester catch up seminar. Other hours to be determined in consultation with host supervisor(s) and subject coordinator. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 340 hours.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
Students should make this application via the online application form:
Applications will be reviewed in two rounds:
Round 1 (Semester 1 availability): closing 31 October
Round 2 (Semester 2 availability): closing 31 May
Students will receive outcomes within two weeks of the closing date for the relevant round. For further information including FAQS on the Application and Selection Process see: https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/students/wil#faqs
*Late applications will be considered in both semesters if you meet the eligibility requirements and have secured a placement except in the event of the quota subject places reaching capacity. Please contact Experiential Learning Officer if you’re submitting a late application form: ssps-internships@unimelb.edu.au
- Off-campus study
This subject has a workplace component
Semester-long internship subject. In this subject students will be placed in an organisation which either analyses or formulates and implements policy in relation to international affairs. The range of organisations relevant to the internship is broad: international organisations, government departments, non-government organisations (including church-based aid agencies), academic and analytical think tanks.
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025