
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Library
Flinders University Logo Flinders University Logo
  • Study

    Study areas

    • Business
    • Computer science and information technology
    • Creative arts and media
    • Criminology
    • Defence and national security
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanities and social sciences
    • Innovation and enterprise
    • International relations and political science
    • Languages and culture
    • Law
    • Medicine
    • Nursing and midwifery
    • Psychology
    • Science
    • Social work
    • Sport

    I am...

    • a high school student
    • a non-school leaver
    • a future honours student
    • a future postgraduate student
    • a future research student
    • a future online student
    • a future Indigenous student
    • an international student
    • a parent
    • a school counsellor/teacher
    Explore
    Admission pathways
    Apply
    Contact us
  • Study

    Study areas

    • Business
    • Creative arts
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Health sciences
    • Humanities
    • Information technology
    • Law
    • Medicine
    • Nursing
    • Psychology
    • Public health
    • Science
    • Social sciences
    • Social work

    International websites

    • China
    • Vietnam
    Explore Flinders
    Apply
    Contact us
  • Research

    Research areas

    • Engineering and technology
    • Health and medical
    • People and society
    • Science, environment and natural resources
    • Emerging research - Defence

    Fearless Research

    • Research Changing Lives

    I am...

    • a potential collaborator
    • a researcher
    • a potential research student
    • a current research student
    Research impact
    Institutes and centres
    Partner with us
    Participate
  • Research

    Research areas

    • Engineering and technology
    • Health and medical
    • People and society
    • Science, environment and natural resources
    • Emerging research - Defence

    Fearless Research

    • Research Changing Lives

    I am...

    • a potential collaborator
    • a researcher
    • a potential research student
    • a current research student
    Research impact
    Institutes and centres
    Partner with us
    Participate
  • Engage

    I want to...

    • Engage with us
    • Connect with students
    • Locate a clinic
    • Book a campus venue
    • Find a tender
    • Give to Flinders
    • Work at Flinders
    • Participate in a research study
    • See what's on
    • Shop Flinders merchandise

    Related links

    • Flinders New Venture Institute
    • Alumni
    • Health2Go
    • Flinders University Museum of Art
    • Flinders One Sport and Fitness
    Business and government
    Community
    Culture
    International
  • Alumni

    I want to...

    • Join an alumni network
    • Establish an alumni network
    • Share a memory
    • Access career services
    • Order a transcript
    • Give to Flinders
    • Update my details
    • Find a classmate
    • Shop Flinders merchandise
    Our alumni
    Benefits and services
    Get involved
    Stay connected
  • Giving

    Donate today

    • Donate online
    • Donate by mail
    • Giving online FAQs (PDF)
    • Staff Workplace Giving Program
    • Contact us

    Ways to give

    • Give in celebration or in memory
    • Leave a gift in your Will
    • Giving from overseas
    • Give a cultural gift
    • Get involved

    Donate to
    Why give
    Our donors
  • About

    The 2025 agenda

    • Vision and mission
    • Our strategic plan
    • Our values and ethos
    • Flinders Village

    Governance and leadership

    • University Council
    • Chancellor
    • Vice-Chancellor

    Our organisation

    • Colleges
    • Library
    • Professional services
    • Staff directory

    Campus and locations

    • Sustainability at Flinders
    • Bedford Park
    • Tonsley
    • Victoria Square
    • Flinders in the NT
    • Flinders at Festival Plaza
    Fast facts
    History
    Structure
    Contact us
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Library
  • You have no saved courses.

    Continue to explore your course options.

     
    Explore our courses

    Your saved courses

    {{{courseName}}}
    mail_outline
    delete
    View all saved courses
  • I am an
    International Student

    I am not a citizen of
    Australia or New Zealand


    Switch to International

    I am a
    Domestic Student

    I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen

    I am an Australian Permanent Resident
    (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

    Switch to Domestic

  • Quick links 
    • Current students
    • Staff
    • Library
    • Flinders dashboard (Okta)
    • Ask Flinders
    • Flinders Learning Online (FLO)
    • Parking
    • Campus map: Bedford Park
    • Staff directory
    • Jobs at Flinders
    • Shop Flinders merchandise

 
  • I am a Domestic Student
  • I am an International Student
  • Study International 

    Study areas

    • Business
    • Creative arts
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Health sciences
    • Humanities
    • Information technology
    • Law
    • Medicine
    • Nursing
    • Psychology
    • Public health
    • Science
    • Social sciences
    • Social work

    International websites

    • China
    • Vietnam
  • Flinders University Academy 
    • Apply
    • Courses
    • Contact us
    • Why choose Flinders Academy?
    • Welcome to Flinders Academy
  • Explore Flinders 
    • International student services
    • Live on campus
    • International Course Guide 2023
  • Living in Adelaide 
    • Fast facts about Adelaide
    • Work while you study
    • Accommodation
    • Cost of living
  • Student stories
  • Apply 
    • How to apply
    • Entry requirements
    • Higher Degree by Research
    • English language pathways
    • Academic Pathway Program
    • International fees
    • Accept your offer
    • Under 18s requirements
    • Study abroad and student exchange
    • Scholarships
  • Contact us 
    • Frequently asked questions
Be fearless

Study Government.

No. 1 in South Australia for
Political Sciences

(2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities, public SA-founded universities only)

Apply now

Be fearless

Study Government.

No. 1 in South Australia for
Political Sciences

(2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities, public SA-founded universities only)

Apply now

Harshdeep Mehla,
Master of Public Policy

Find your Government course.

Midyear entry

Flinders University Government

Got questions?

We've got answers

How to apply

Discover here

Apply now for 2023

Ready? Apply now

Got questions?

Contact us

How to apply

Discover here

Apply now for 2023

Ready? Apply now

Where leaders learn.

Advance your career as a leader in policy and government.

Ready to take the next step in your career? A postgraduate degree in International Relations, Public Policy or Public Administration will give you the knowledge, policy skills and confidence to move into coveted leadership positions, and meaningfully work towards the solutions our agencies and communities need. 

Our postgraduate offerings in Government will equip you with skills to shape our policy environment. Depending on the degree you choose, you could gain the core skills required for managers and analysts working in foreign affairs, international trade, defence, and national and international security; deepen your knowledge of governance in the global world, digital strategy, and sustainable development; or master the fundamentals of public policy making – including analysing the problem, interpreting data, and undertaking professional research.

No.1 in SA
for learner engagement, skills development, student support and starting salary.

The Good Universities Guide 2022 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only.

Research above world standard
Policy and Administration research.

Excellence in Research for Australia, 2018.

No.1 in SA
for overall educational experience and full-time employment.

The Good Universities Guide 2022 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only.

Graduate career ready

Get graduate career ready by experiencing a range of internship opportunities available locally, nationally and internationally.  

Gain from our experience

Flinders has over 40 years’ expertise the field of international relations with the US, China, Asia and Africa.  

Highly sought after 
academics

Learn from academics who have advised and provided analysis for local and national political leaders, and whose commentary is widely sought.

Study abroad

Study across Australia and US and graduate with a Master of Public Policy and Management from Flinders and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arizona.

Combine your degree

Combine your degree with business, commerce, laws and legal practice, languages, arts and other areas to enhance your career opportunities.. 

Learn more

Combine your degree

Combine your degree with business, commerce, laws and legal practice, languages, arts and other areas to enhance your career opportunities.. 

Learn more

Courses available in Government

New course Midyear entry Midyear entry
Undergraduate
  • Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science Midyear entry
  • Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) Midyear entry
Majors
  • International Relations
  • Politics
Honours
  • Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) Midyear entry
  • Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) 1 year Midyear entry
Postgraduate
  • International Relations Midyear entry
  • Public Administration Midyear entry
  • Public Policy Midyear entry
  • Research Methods Midyear entry
Higher degree by research
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Prior Published Work Midyear entry
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Government and International Relations Midyear entry

Potential occupations

Leadership roles across a range of sectors, including local, state and the Australian Government, international trade, defence, security, social enterprise and foreign affairs. There are opportunities in local and global program development, strategic management, policy innovation, stakeholder consultation and government relations.

 

Policy and government opportunities could also include: 

  • Chief operations officer
  • Chief strategy officer
  • Director – policy coordination
  • Policy analyst
  • Intelligence officer
  • Strategic business planner
  • Sustainability manager

Your potential employers

Our graduates work for governments, local through to global; the defence sector, key public institutions, health services, education providers, advocacy and community associations, political organisations, and the policy-engaged business sector. 

Teaching staff

Our teaching team has decades of experience in policy and government. They have been involved in the professional development of public-sector offices, advised governments, and worked with communities.

jessica-genauer-png.png


Dr Jessica Genauer

Learn more

Jessica is a lecturer in International Relations at the College of Business, Government and Law. Jessica's research interests include conflict resolution, threat perceptions, and post-conflict institution-building. Jessica also focuses on innovative educational methods at the tertiary level. Jessica is particularly interested in participatory educational methods to develop interpersonal competencies such as leadership, cultural awareness, communication, negotiations and decision-making.

Jessica hosts a podcast "War in Ukraine: Update from Kyiv" with updates and analysis of the Ukraine conflict, as well as deep dives into issues of warfighting, strategy, negotiations and leadership.

luis da vinha circle.png


Dr Luis Da Vinha

Learn more

Luis da Vinha is a Lecturer in International Relations and is the Course Coordinator of the Master of International Relations. He received his Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Coimbra (Portugal).

Luis is also a member of the Jeff Bleich Centre for the US Alliance in Digital Technology, Security & Governance and a research affiliate of the Space Power and Policy Applied Research Consortium Prior to joining Flinders University, he lived in the US and Europe where he taught at Valley City State University (USA), the University of Coimbra (Portugal), and the Higher Institute of Educational Sciences (Portugal) and worked in the field of planning and development. Luis was also active in politics, namely as a party and publicly-elected official.

His teaching and research interests are in International Relations, International Security, US Foreign Policy, American Government and Politics, and Political Geography. Luis was the recipient of the 2021 Vice-Chancellor's Innovation in Teaching Award (Flinders University), the 2021 CBGL Vice-President and Executive Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (Flinders University), and the 2016 VCSU Teacher of the Year Award (USA)

rodrigo-praino.png


Associate Professor Rodrigo Praino

Learn more

At age 7, Rodrigo's family suspected he'd have a career in research. During a trip to Venice, his father videoed him asking endless questions about what made Venice a Republic and how exactly its political system worked.  

It's this natural curiosity for politics and discovering things nobody else knows that has resulted in Rodrigo's award-winning career. In 2018, he was the first Australian political scientist to win the prestigious Young Tall Poppy Science Award. In the same year, he also won the Vice-Chancellor's Innovation in Teaching Award and the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Early Career Researchers.

Rodrigo is currently researching how voters choose leaders in advanced democracies. He has found that a candidate's looks or involvement in scandal can play an important role in the decision-making process, particularly if voters have little information about politics, candidates and elections. His research has a compelling role to play in helping people understand the consequences of their choices and therefore make better decisions.  

An inspiring, supportive and innovative lecturer, Rodrigo has been invited to present his work in all corners of the globe. His research is often used by mainstream media in Australia and overseas to explain current events, allowing him to reach a wider audience beyond academe. His best advice to future researchers and students is: “Choose your path carefully. The only way to succeed is to do something you really love and that excites you!” 

Learn about International Relations & Political Science at Flinders University with students Shannon McSkimming and Christina Matheison.

“For me International Relations is the intersection between politics, history, culture and languages and in this increasingly globalised world that we live in this study is extremely important.  

At Flinders we have such a large number of internationally recognised experts in different fields as well as opportunities such as the Flinders University Washington Internship Program, where I was lucky enough to intern with the US Congressman Jim McDermott. This really consolidated my learnings.”

Jesse Barker Gale
International Relations Student

washington.jpg

“For me International Relations is the intersection between politics, history, culture and languages and in this increasingly globalised world that we live in this study is extremely important.  

At Flinders we have such a large number of internationally recognised experts in different fields as well as opportunities such as the Flinders University Washington Internship Program, where I was lucky enough to intern with the US Congressman Jim McDermott. This really consolidated my learnings.”

Jesse Barker Gale
International Relations Student

Apply now

Apply now

semi-circle-1.jpg

Download our 2023 International Course Guide

Our course guide contains everything
you need to know about studying at
Flinders University.  

Flinders University Logo

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online

Information for

  • Future students
  • Alumni
  • Media
  • Business and community
  • Current students
  • Staff
  • External contractors

Directories

  • Contact us
  • Campus and locations
  • Staff directory
  • Colleges
  • Library
  • Research Institutes and Centres

Follow Flinders

Facebook - Flinders University Twitter - Flinders University YouTube - Flinders University Instagram - Flinders University LinkedIn - Flinders University

Brand SA logo Innovative Research University logo Indigenous communities

Website feedback

Disclaimer

Accessibility

Privacy

CRICOS Provider: 00114A      TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097      TEQSA category: Australian University

Last Updated: 16 Dec 2022
Fearless Logo

This website uses cookies

Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation, and for a variety of purposes described in the website privacy statement. For details about these cookies and how to set your cookie preferences, refer to our website privacy statement.

You consent to the use of our cookies if you proceed.

Accept and continue