Arts (International Studies/Politics) Monash or Melbourne?

[weasleyisourking]

Wanting to pursue a career in Int. Relations/Diplomacy. 

I am tossing up between an Arts major in Int. Relations at Monash or a major in Politics and International Studies at Melbourne University.

If anyone does these courses or has had experience with an International Relations course/major please make me entire life and tell me what you think of it?

Is it stimulating?
Have any regrets on University choice?
MELBOURNE ARTS STUDENTS: Is it worth it given the breadth requirements?

Even is you are just an Arts student at these universities PLEASE tell me what you think!

[simpak]

RMIT International Studies course.

[gemgem49]

Yeah I agree, I'd go with the International Studies at RMIT or at least look into it. I found a lot of the subjects I did at Monash felt very broad and rushed.  For what you might study in two or three weeks at Monash, you might devote an entire unit to at RMIT. I often wish I did choose this course when  I was tossing up between it, UoM and Monash in year 12. You also get to do a semester internship (or study abroad) which imo is great, Monash and Melb have SOME option for interning but it's limited and competitive to get into (at least at Monash).

Whatever, you do, DON'T do the Arts (Global) degree at Monash, because the two core subjects are just really bad and a waste of time. If you decide to go with Monash, just go with the straight Arts degree. You can still major in the same things and study abroad but you'll get to avoid these units.

I can't comment on Melbourne Int studies yet, but they seem to have similar subjects to Monash in second and third year. It will be interesting to see if the subjects at UoM are taught better though.

[schmalex]

If you want to pursue a career in diplomacy, a major in politics & international studies at Melbourne with a diploma of languages, and possibly another language will stand you in good stead. I'm told languages are really important if you're looking at pursuing diplomacy. The breadth requirement isn't really that bad because taking subjects like international business and economics can probably be useful for you.

[seraphs]

^incorrect. diplomacy = DFAT, and learning a language at uni is pointless for the DFAT grad program because they will teach you any necessary language skills (and you will only ever be in one country for 3years or so).

You do not need to study 'international relations' or 'politics' to work in those fields or even do graduate study in those fields. **facepalm**

[gemgem49]

if you have an interest in the area and know that's what you'd want to do for a career then why not study it at uni anyway? And having learnt a language is always an advantage. Yes they teach you the basic skills but knowing a second language could still help you get the position over someone else and help you in the future. No need to be rude either.

[weasleyisourking]

Yeah I agree, I'd go with the International Studies at RMIT or at least look into it. I found a lot of the subjects I did at Monash felt very broad and rushed.  For what you might study in two or three weeks at Monash, you might devote an entire unit to at RMIT. I often wish I did choose this course when  I was tossing up between it, UoM and Monash in year 12. You also get to do a semester internship (or study abroad) which imo is great, Monash and Melb have SOME option for interning but it's limited and competitive to get into (at least at Monash).

Whatever, you do, DON'T do the Arts (Global) degree at Monash, because the two core subjects are just really bad and a waste of time. If you decide to go with Monash, just go with the straight Arts degree. You can still major in the same things and study abroad but you'll get to avoid these units.

I can't comment on Melbourne Int studies yet, but they seem to have similar subjects to Monash in second and third year. It will be interesting to see if the subjects at UoM are taught better though.

Thanks gemgem49 - I really appreciate your advice about Arts (Global) I have been looking into it as a option as well.
Is there anything else you can tell me about Monash Arts? I have heard that the "atmosphere" at Monash is a bit of a downer?

[weasleyisourking]

^incorrect. diplomacy = DFAT, and learning a language at uni is pointless for the DFAT grad program because they will teach you any necessary language skills (and you will only ever be in one country for 3years or so).

You do not need to study 'international relations' or 'politics' to work in those fields or even do graduate study in those fields. **facepalm**

seraphs: Care to elaborate? Have you had experience with DFAT or an international relations course? Where did you hear that an international relations/diplomacy background is  not necessary for work with DFAT or similar organisations?

[weasleyisourking]

if you have an interest in the area and know that's what you'd want to do for a career then why not study it at uni anyway? And having learnt a language is always an advantage. Yes they teach you the basic skills but knowing a second language could still help you get the position over someone else and help you in the future. No need to be rude either.

Gemgem49: Also, can I ask what you are majoring in at Melbourne Arts? Are you doing Politics/International Studies? 
I have heard that the Melbourne Arts program is very broad due to the university's focus on Postgraduate studies: did you find the subjects too vague or anything like that?

Im sorry if I sound ignorant by the way - I am just working off rumours I have heard from other people

[schmalex]

^incorrect. diplomacy = DFAT, and learning a language at uni is pointless for the DFAT grad program because they will teach you any necessary language skills (and you will only ever be in one country for 3years or so).

You do not need to study 'international relations' or 'politics' to work in those fields or even do graduate study in those fields. **facepalm**

I'm just going by what I was told by the professors in these areas at the University of Melbourne. If you have a better source of information, by all means share.

[gemgem49]

Thanks gemgem49 - I really appreciate your advice about Arts (Global) I have been looking into it as a option as well.
Is there anything else you can tell me about Monash Arts? I have heard that the "atmosphere" at Monash is a bit of a downer?

Idk, I suspect any uni atmosphere comes from what you make it. If you make friends easily and get into the clubs and social events then you'll have a great time regardless.

Planning to major in Int Studies/Psychology and German (through Dip. Languages). I haven't done any units yet so I can't tell you if they're too broad or whatever. I don't see how they'd be any different from the standard of subject at Monash. As as I said, the subjects in the handbook look similar.

http://www.dfat.gov.au/jobs/graduates/

Yeah, it doesn't say you need a specific degree to get into the grad program. But if you're sitting there in an interview and can tell them how everything you've learnt in an int. studies course/language course can be applied to the program and how you have a genuine interest in it, that's going to stand out.

[simpak]

Plus doing the course would help you decide if you actually wanted to spend your life doing it.  I mean, I didn't 'need' a degree to be a journalist.  But I'm glad I spent a year attempting to complete one, or I wouldn't have figured out I would rather plunge my face into a paper shredder than work in the media.

[appianway]

^incorrect. diplomacy = DFAT, and learning a language at uni is pointless for the DFAT grad program because they will teach you any necessary language skills (and you will only ever be in one country for 3years or so).

You do not need to study 'international relations' or 'politics' to work in those fields or even do graduate study in those fields. **facepalm**

This is a few days old, but yeah, this is exactly what I heard from an Australian ambassador overseas (who obviously works for DFAT...). It's useful to study a language, but if you're accepted and you need to build proficiency, they'll teach you it or pay for you to be taught. DFAT recruits people from all disciplines - they look for successful individuals, not just ones who've studied international relations. You can graduate with an engineering degree and end up being a diplomat.

That said, if international relations interests you, study it If a language interests you, study it There's no harm; just don't bank on getting into DFAT (which is ridiculously competitive anyway).