Diplomatic Studies

The Diplomatic Studies Programme comprises:

• PGDip in Diplomatic Studies, a nine-month full-time course (October to June)
• MSt in Diplomatic Studies, a twelve-month full-time course (October to September)

The Diplomatic Studies Programme aims to equip each of its members with the knowledge and skills required for diplomacy in today and tomorrow’s world, and the confidence on which to base a successful diplomatic career within a foreign ministry, international organisation or elsewhere. The programme celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019 and its alumni occupy a large number of senior posts in the diplomatic field.

The DSP is a programme for professionals. It is specifically designed for early- to mid-career diplomats, and a large proportion of its members are established diplomats, who return to their diplomatic careers after the course. Some are nominated by their Foreign Ministries to attend. A few non-diplomats with relevant academic background and professional experience are included. Members come from an extremely broad range of countries, and one of the attributes of the course is the extensive opportunity it offers to share and learn from peers' experiences and perspectives.

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Diplomatic Studies comprises four taught courses, assessed by four year-end examinations, plus the completion of a substantial research project.

Together with the PGDip students, you will undertake an intensive course on aspects of current diplomatic practice, focusing on both diplomatic skills (oral, written and strategic) and on aspects of contemporary diplomacy (political, economic, digital and many others). There are practical exercises, for example, in negotiation, drafting, crisis management, public speaking and handling media interviews. You will also take courses on international politics, public international law and international trade and finance. As well as key issues of the day, the DSP places emphasis on national and regional issues relevant to countries and regions from which the participants come.

The course centres on lectures, seminars and tutorials in which you will meet your tutors in small groups and discuss your work. There are many guest speakers, both professional and academic, and there may be occasional lunches or dinners with guests. Contact hours would typically amount to 180 lectures/seminars and 24 tutorials. Preparation for these is self-directed work.

In addition to the four taught courses, you will be required to complete a substantial research project leading to a dissertation of up to 15,000 words on a related topic of your choice related to the course. You will have research methods classes to help you with methodology, and will have a supervisor to oversee your private research. The dissertation offers you an opportunity to undertake supervised in-depth research, using Oxford’s generous research facilities, and to write a long paper on a topic you are passionate about.

For non-native speakers, advanced English language classes are an integral part of the Diplomatic Studies Programme. One advantage of the course is the opportunity it offers to build up and polish to a very high and sustained standard of effectiveness and fluency your command of the English language, the major international and diplomatic language in today's world.

You will be encouraged to take advantage of the broad range of opportunities available to you as a member of the University and one of its colleges, for example by attending lectures held elsewhere in the University and/or by improving your knowledge of other languages.

More information on a typical year's curriculum is available on the DSP website.

As part of the course in diplomatic practice, the DSP includes study visits to government departments, international organisations and business and media institutions in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. A study tour to Northern Ireland may also take place.

The working language of the course is English. You will be accepted only if you can demonstrate that you possess the necessary English language skills.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department for Continuing Education and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. A supervisor may be found outside the Department for Continuing Education.

Many DSP/FSP alumni have progressed to senior positions in their respective diplomatic services, elsewhere in government and international organisations, or more widely in the international field.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the department

Diplomatic Studies PGDip

The Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies is a nine-month full-time course requiring completion of all elements of the Master of Studies apart from the research project. Except as regards the research project, PGDip and MSt students form one cohort and will be taught and examined together.

All graduate courses in the social sciences offered by this department

Applied Landscape Archaeology MSc

Archaeology DPhil

Continuing Education DPhil

Diplomatic Studies MSt

Diplomatic Studies PGDip

International Human Rights Law MSt

Sustainable Urban Development MSc

Sustainable Urban Development DPhil

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Entry requirements