How long does the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs take?

The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs runs one year full-time or two years part-time. Distance-learning students on the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs typically complete over the two-year part-time schedule.

Is the MA available online?

Yes. The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All modes include the dissertation and simulation seminars.

Is the MA UK-recognised?

The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs is a UK Level 7 postgraduate qualification aligned with Political Studies Association, British International Studies Association and diplomatic-academy themes, positioning graduates for senior political and diplomatic roles.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a UK Bachelor's (2:2 or above) or equivalent, plus IELTS 6.5 where relevant. Senior practitioners without a Bachelor's may apply on portfolio for the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs vary by mode and are published on the LSLPE fees page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and postgraduate loan guidance are handled by the admissions team on request.

MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs is a UK Level 7 postgraduate degree running one year full-time or two years part-time across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme reads diplomacy as a mix of statecraft, negotiation, protocol, communication and strategic analysis, drawing on the diplomatic-academy tradition and the applied programmes of Chatham House, the British International Studies Association and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

By graduation, students on the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs are producing negotiation strategy documents, ministerial submissions, foreign-policy option memos, bilateral briefing packs and a substantial dissertation on a live diplomatic or foreign-policy reform question.

Key Features

Postgraduate modules mapped to Political Studies Association, British International Studies Association and diplomatic-academy aligned themes.
Case teaching on live UK bilateral, multilateral and consular casework.
Guest sessions from serving and retired diplomats and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials.
Advanced simulation seminars including Track I and Track II negotiation.
Dissertation supervision by tutors active in diplomatic practice or research.
Small cohort model with named programme tutor for every student on the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs.

What You Will Learn

Apply realist, liberal and constructivist frameworks to diplomatic decisions.
Design negotiation strategy using BATNA, ZOPA and integrative-bargaining tools.
Draft ministerial submissions and bilateral briefing packs to Whitehall style.
Handle consular practice and consular protection principles.
Advise on multilateral negotiations under UN and G20 frameworks.
Handle strategic communications for foreign-policy campaigns.
Apply protocol and diplomatic law under the Vienna Conventions.
Design a diplomacy or foreign-affairs dissertation project with a defensible methodology.

Who This Course Is For

Serving foreign-service officers and Whitehall analysts moving into senior grades.
Diplomats from partner services undertaking mid-career study.
International-body officials preparing for senior political posts.
NGO senior staff working on diplomacy and global engagement.
International applicants preparing for foreign-service examinations at home.

Career Pathways

Diplomat progressing to senior grade at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Foreign Policy Adviser in Whitehall or a diplomatic academy partner.
International Affairs Officer in an international body.
Political Analyst on a Whitehall or think-tank foreign-policy team.
Development Diplomat on a bilateral aid programme.
Public Affairs Officer on international communications.
Strategic Intelligence Analyst on global political-risk desks.

The LSLPE careers service supports every MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs student on applications into the diplomatic service, senior policy and think-tank roles across the UK and international ecosystem.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification for the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a Bachelor's degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in diplomacy, foreign policy or international affairs are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement on the intended dissertation theme.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads diplomacy as the practice-facing edge of politics, law and economics together. Central London places Whitehall, Chatham House, IISS, the diplomatic academies and international-body offices within a short tube ride of every classroom, and every LLM and MA cohort is taught in the small select-committee format that defines the school.

Three parallel study modes allow serving diplomats, Whitehall analysts and international applicants to complete the MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs without stepping away from live postings. Dissertation supervision draws on practising diplomats, senior Whitehall officials and academic researchers.

Apply for MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs

The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising barristers, policy advisers and City economists as needed across the LSLPE portfolio. Enrol on an LSLPE Master's programme. Enrol Now.