Postgraduate studies in Government

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
in Political Sciences.

(2019 Academic Ranking of World Universities, public SA-founded universities only)

No. 1 in Australia
for postgraduate employment.

(QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey - longitudinal)

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

_{(The Good Universities Guide 2022 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

Study options

Master of International Relations

Graduate Diploma in International Relations

Graduate Certificate in International Relations

Master of Public Administration

Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration

Graduate Certificate in Public Administration

Master of Public Policy

Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration

Graduate Certificate in Public Policy

Master of International Relations

Graduate Diploma in International Relations
Graduate Certificate in International Relations

Master of Public Administration

Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration
Graduate Certificate in Public Administration

Master of Public Policy

Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy

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.

Why study a postgraduate degree at Flinders?

Learn from the experts

Our teaching team produces curriculum material that has been adopted around the country. They also have extensive experience advising governments, in the professional development of public-sector offices, in working with communities, and in media commentary.

Enjoy a world-class online experience

Our postgraduate offerings in Government are designed for 100% online, on campus, or blended learning. If you want to study online, expect a world-class, curated experience where you can easily engage with your cohort, and gain insights from those currently working in the public sector. If you elect to study in-person, you can study in the Adelaide CBD, at Bedford Park, online or select a hybrid model (a mix of both).

Become a sought after, multi-skilled and career-ready graduate

All of our Government courses will prepare you for the careers of the future. Topics have been designed with a focus on the digital transformation of government, business and society; its implications for key public institutions, policy stakeholder and citizens; and its ramifications for the careers of professionals.

They also strike the perfect balance between leadership skills, practical skills, and future skills.

Future-proof your career

With a focus on technology, health and social impact, our Government courses integrate world-class research (such as that by the university's own Jeff Bleich Centre and Centre for Social Impact) so that students graduate with the latest knowledge and skills in their chosen field.

Hear from our students

“

The Master of Public Administration has been invaluable to my career. It opened up a whole new world for me, providing just the right mix of theoretical concepts and practical tools that could be directly applied to my work.

Georgina Cope, Master of Public Administration graduate

”

Get inspired

Study a PhD in Government
Interested in research? We caught up with Paige Fletcher, PhD Student, to find out more.

Paige is researching what makes an NGO effective – and how they can better achieve feminist policy goals.

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.

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.

Dr Luis Da Vinha

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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)

Associate Professor Rodrigo Praino

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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!”

Frequently asked questions

Which postgraduate qualification in Government is for me?

This depends on your interests and career goals.

The Master of International Relations will provide you with the core skills required for managers and analysts working in foreign affairs, international trade, defence, and national and international security. It combines theory and practical analysis to examine global issues like war, poverty, security, economics, trade and diplomacy.

The Master of Public Administration is designed to prepare leaders to learn the latest concepts and skills which can be applied to the workplace immediately. You will deepen your knowledge of governance in the global world, digital strategy, and sustainable development.

The Master of Public Policy provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the global, national, and local levels of a rapidly changing policy environment. It aims to prepare policy leaders to master the fundamentals of public policy making - developing policy from start to finish, including analysing the problem, interpreting data, and undertaking professional research.

Can I study part-time?

Yes. You can study full-time or part-time, and either option can be studied online, in-person or as a hybrid experience (a mix of both).

How will COVID-19 restrictions affect my study at Flinders University?

The current pandemic situation (COVID-19) could affect aspects of your study. For up-to-date information about the impact of COVID-19 on your study, please refer to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page.

How do I apply?