Course Overview
Overview
This Masters is designed to give students a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of diplomacy. It traces the origins of diplomatic institutions, international law and organization and brings these right up to date by exploring the social, political and technological challenges faced by contemporary diplomats. It is designed for students who are either familiar with the study of international relations or politics at undergraduate level or who are enthusiastic to focus on this area of study at the postgraduate level.
Our students follow a flexible programme with a wide choice of modules. Students take two core modules in Diplomacy and Statecraft and Diplomatic History that provide them with a foundation for thinking about the subject. They then design the rest of the programme around their own interests by selecting four modules from a wide range of options. The flexibility of this programme is ideal for those with a broad range of interests in international relations, diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution and international law or for those who want to construct a curriculum around a particular area of interest.
As a postgraduate student in POLSIS you will also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events. You will be welcomed as a member of the International Relations and Security Theory research group. This group includes members of academic staff and postgraduate research students who meet regularly to discuss their own research, recent publications and to organise research events including inviting visiting speakers.
Why study this course?
- Choose from an extensive range of optional modules
- Study in a supportive environment with research-active staff working on diplomacy, internationals relations and security
- Be a part of the IR and Security Theory research group
- Participate in a range of intellectual and social events alongside your programme
Employability
Graduates from the School have gone on to work in a range of careers, with recent graduates working with organisations such as the United Nations, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, local authorities in the USA and overseas and the Department for International Development.
The School takes employability very seriously and as well as linking students to the central careers services, also incorporates opportunities to enhance their employment prospects, including highlighting work experience opportunities, encouraging volunteering in extra-curricular projects (such as student seminars and events) and by inviting backgrounds for students to meet.
Careers Network
The Careers Network provides a dedicated service to help you find work experience or internship opportunities outside of your studies, either part-time during term-time, or over the summer vacation. Right from the start of your degree you will have access to our interactive careers service, through which many regional, national and international employers advertise their vacancies, and your college internship officers will go out and about to find vacancies that will be a useful addition to your CV.
Find out more about support for work experience and internships, bursaries, or mentoring.
Course
This degree programme comprises the following modules:
Core modules
- 20 credits – Diplomacy and Statecraft
- 20 credits – Diplomatic History
- 60 credits – Dissertation MA students to submit a 13,500 word dissertation (not applicable to Diploma Students)
Optional Modules
- Choose 4 modules from the POLSIS optional modules list
All modules are 20 credits and are available as options on postgraduate taught POLSIS programmes where the module is not compulsory.
International relations theory
Governing British Capitalism
International Political Economy
Globalisation and Governance
Diplomacy and Statecraft
Diplomatic History
Security Studies
US foreign and defence policy
Developments in Contemporary Political Analysis
Radical Social Theory
Politics and the State
Rising Powers and Global Order
Global Environmental Governance
Terrorism and Political Violence
Sex, Death Gender and (in)security
Gender and Global Governance
Ethnic Conflict and its management: theories and cases
Politics of Arab-Isreali conflict
Varieties of Politics
Arguing against Tyranny
Problems in Contemporary Political Theory
Dilemmas in International Relations
Authoritarianism and Development
Democracy and Development
Fear, Cooperation and Trust in World Politics
Global Cooperation in Practice
Political Psychology of Conflict and Cooperation
Asian Pacific Security
Post-conflict Peacebuilding and the International Order
Entry requirements
Requirments
For the MA programme you require a good Honours degree or its equivalent. For those whose first language is not English, an IELTS Certificate is required.
English language requirements
You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:
- by holding an English language qualification to the right level
- by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students
How to apply
The Diplomacy Ma/PGDIP by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
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The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions