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Why study this program

The learning experience

Internships

Career opportunities

Alternative entry

Academics

Alumni

Program Duration

2 Years
Program Credit

96 Units
Program Delivery In Person

In person or online

Why study this program

There has never been a more important time to study diplomacy and international law hand-in-hand. The Master of International Law and Diplomacy is a joint degree offered by ANU College of Asia and the Pacific and the ANU College of Law, addressing the needs arising from the complex intersection of public policy, law and dispute resolution.

You will be taught by internationally recognised research scholars from the ANU College of Law and the Department of International Relations, as well as senior diplomatic and international legal practitioners from Australia and elsewhere. The program will position you at the centre of a global network of diplomatic and legal scholars and practitioners.

The learning experience

Graduates from the Master of International Law and Diplomacy will have highly developed diplomatic and legal advocacy skills, including the ability to solve or avoid problems with the use of negotiation, persuasion and conflict resolution.

You will be taught by internationally recognised scholars, senior diplomats and international legal practitioners with a focus on transnational diplomacy, non-state actors, negotiation and conflict resolution, international law, and more.

The program investigates:

  • Contemporary challenges in diplomacy
  • Cyber law
  • Global governance
  • International law and use of force
  • International refugee law
  • International law of the environment
  • Law and legal institutions
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Principles of international law
  • Research methods in diplomacy
  • Strategy, statecraft and diplomacy
  • The politics of the United Nations
  • Transnational diplomacy

Internships

A vibrant and exciting internship program is offered for successful students. Students have access to a range of internships with international and local NGOs, Australian government departments, the private sector, embassies and the broader ANU community.  Internships are awarded for course credit on a competitive basis and are unpaid. Students may also arrange their own internships, subject to departmental approval, and all students have access to ANU ANIP program.

Career opportunities

This highly valuable qualification deepens your understanding of the ways in which diplomacy and law operate in the modern world. The program equips you with both diplomatic and legal knowledge and skills, from strategic thinking to cross-cultural communication, which are crucial to success in a rapidly changing world.

Our innovative program prepares you for exciting career paths in:

  • Diplomatic / Foreign service
  • Government and public service
  • Humanitarian organisations
  • International development and aid
  • Intergovernmental agencies
  • International trade and business
  • Journalism
  • Legal firms
  • Multinational corporations
  • Private not for profit
  • Think tanks, policy institutes, and research centres
  • University teaching and research

Alternative entry pathways

Graduate Diploma of International Affairs

If you don't meet the standard entry requirements for the Master of International Law and Diplomacy, alternatively, you can choose to start with the Graduate Diploma of International Affairs (DIAFF) which is a flexible 1-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) postgraduate qualification designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required for understanding emerging issues in international affairs.

This is a stand-alone program that can be used as a pathway to the Master of International Law and Diplomacy.
Find out more about the DIAFF program

 

World-class academics are your teachers

This program is delivered by the Department of International Relations and brings together a diverse range of discipline-leading experts who deliver cutting edge research-led teaching.

George Carter.jfif

Dr George Carter

George's research explores Pacific states and Small Island Developiong States' agency in nultilateral climage change negotiations, regionalism, climate security, foreign policy-making and geopolitical security interests.
Ben Day.JPG

Dr Benjamin Day

Ben's research explores the role of political leaders in foreign policy decision-making, especially in relation to international development policy.
Sarah-Logan

Dr Sarah Logan

Sarah's primary research focus is the impact of technology, especially the internet, on International Relations. She is interested in how technology interacts with traditional understandings of statehood, power and agency.
Beverley Loke
Beverley Loke

Dr Beverley Loke

Beverley's research interests include the politics of great power responsibility and hegemonic ordering, global knowledge production practices, China's foreign policy, and the international relations of the Indo-Pacific.
Deepak Nair Department of International Relations

Dr Deepak Nair

Deepak's research focuses on the microsociological study of international relations. Everyday practices, face-to-face interactions, emotions, and embodied experiences are the small units of analysis that take centrestage in his research.
Lauren Richardson.png

Dr Lauren Richardson

Lauren's research focuses on the role of non-state actors in shaping diplomatic interactions in Northeast Asia, particularly Japan-Korea relations.
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Our alumni
Bhavani-Kannan-master-of-international-law-and-diplomacy.jpg

Bhavani Kannan

After graduating with a Master of International Law and Diplomacy, Bhavani continues to pursue further studies with a doctorate at the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.
Anu Adeyemi.png

Anu Adeyemi

Studying International Law and Diplomacy at The Australian National University was a strategic decision for Anu Adeyemi due to the many professional opportunities Canberra offers in the field.
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