| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | September 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | 2:2 Honours degree |
|---|---|
Overview
- This MA provides a deep understanding of the historical, legal, and theoretical aspects of diplomacy and foreign policymaking, combined with practical, skills-based learning through simulations and real-world applications.
- It enhances employability by equipping students with analytical and practical skills valued by employers across public and private sectors, preparing them for leadership roles in government, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, and media.
- Students will gain hands-on experience through applied learning, particularly in the second core module, which involves practical exercises such as simulations, workshops, and a field trip to key diplomatic institutions in London.
- The London field trip will include visits to governmental and non-governmental organisations, such as the Houses of Parliament, think tanks, foreign embassies, and international organisations, providing valuable networking and career development opportunities.
- Students will develop transferable skills, such as geopolitical risk assessment and policy execution, enabling them to respond effectively to dynamic global challenges and engage in high-level diplomatic and foreign policy work.
- Designed for early and mid-career professionals, the MA prepares graduates for various roles, including positions in foreign service, international organisations, and NGOs, leveraging both intellectual insights and practical skills for leadership positions.
Employability focussed
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
11th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Employability focussed
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
11th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in their first degree in a relevant subject area. While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criteria, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
Diplomacy and foreign policymaking are central to International Relations. Our MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy offers both the intellectual foundations and practical skills needed to navigate the core elements of statecraft and global governance in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world. With a clear focus on employability and career development, this programme equips you with the critical analytical tools to assess policies and formulate effective responses in today’s challenging international environment.
The course begins with a comprehensive introduction to the historical, legal, and theoretical dimensions of diplomacy and foreign policymaking, before transitioning to a more practice-oriented module. As part of this applied focus, you will take part in a field trip to London, gaining first-hand exposure to governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in diplomacy and foreign policy. This tailored experience offers unique insights and valuable networking opportunities.
You will also explore how nations achieve their foreign policy goals, how these policies shape global conflicts, and how diplomatic practices and international cooperation have evolved. By deepening your understanding of complex foreign policy issues and learning how to evaluate and implement them effectively, you will graduate with enhanced confidence in your abilities and be well-prepared to make an immediate positive impact in your career.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
The offered modules are clustered around specific themes. The thematic clusters are not formal pathways. They are there to better inform students’ choice of optional modules, depending on individual preferences, in particular the academic and professional skills desired from studying at Exeter.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLM110 | Theories of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 30 |
| POLM111 | Applied Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 30 |
| POLM886 | Dissertation | 60 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - IR and Area Studies 25.26 | ||
| POLM503 | Foreign Policy Decision-Making | 30 |
| POLM144 | The West, Civilisations and World Order | 30 |
| POLM088 | State-building after Civil War | 30 |
| POLM217 | Conflict, Security and Development in Eurasia | 30 |
| POLM890 | The Geopolitics of Russia | 30 |
| POLM344 | Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia | 30 |
| POLM651 | State and Society in the Middle East | 30 |
| POLM082 | International Relations of the Middle East | 30 |
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - Global Governance, Development and Human Rights 25.26 | ||
| POLM173 | Theories of International Development | 30 |
| POLM239 | International Organisation | 30 |
| POLM156 | The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age | 30 |
| POLM148 | Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications | 30 |
| POLM158 | Digital Politics and Policy | 30 |
| POLM084 | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics | 30 |
| POLM222M | The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development | 30 |
| POLM168 | From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender | 30 |
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - Strategy and Security 25.26 | ||
| SPAM002 | Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies | 30 |
| POLM022 | Challenges and Opportunities in Global Security | 30 |
| POLM308 | Transnational Security and Terrorism | 30 |
| POLM343 | Gender, War and Militarism | 30 |
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - Research and Analysis 25.26 | ||
| POLM086 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 30 |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 30 |
60 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLM110 | Theories of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 30 |
| POLM111 | Applied Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 30 |
Optional modules
The offered modules are clustered around specific themes. The thematic clusters are not formal pathways. They are there to better inform students’ choice of optional modules, depending on individual preferences, in particular the academic and professional skills desired from studying at Exeter. You must not pick any optional module more than once.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - IR and Area Studies 25.26 | ||
| POLM503 | Foreign Policy Decision-Making | 30 |
| POLM144 | The West, Civilisations and World Order | 30 |
| POLM088 | State-building after Civil War | 30 |
| POLM217 | Conflict, Security and Development in Eurasia | 30 |
| POLM890 | The Geopolitics of Russia | 30 |
| POLM344 | Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia | 30 |
| POLM651 | State and Society in the Middle East | 30 |
| POLM082 | International Relations of the Middle East | 30 |
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - Global Governance, Development and Human Rights 25.26 | ||
| POLM173 | Theories of International Development | 30 |
| POLM239 | International Organisation | 30 |
| POLM156 | The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age | 30 |
| POLM148 | Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications | 30 |
| POLM158 | Digital Politics and Policy | 30 |
| POLM084 | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics | 30 |
| POLM222M | The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development | 30 |
| POLM168 | From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender | 30 |
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - Strategy and Security 25.26 | ||
| SPAM002 | Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies | 30 |
| POLM022 | Challenges and Opportunities in Global Security | 30 |
| POLM308 | Transnational Security and Terrorism | 30 |
| POLM343 | Gender, War and Militarism | 30 |
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy - Research and Analysis 25.26 | ||
| POLM086 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 30 |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 30 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
Teaching takes place over the first two terms leaving the third to concentrate on your dissertation. Our teaching is research-led, ensuring that what you learn will be cutting edge and at the heart of contemporary public debate.
Teaching methods may include:
- Small academic seminars
- Presentations
- Group work
- Extensive reading and reflection
- Debates and discussions
- 15,000 word dissertation
By the end of the programme you will have acquired a series of valuable skills ranging from conducting analyses and research to presenting, debating, formulating arguments and managing groups.
Research
Students can take advantage of our seminar series and its long-running and highly successful annual postgraduate conference which brings together researchers from across all humanities and social sciences disciplines.
Our research is funded by leading research councils and is used by governments and networks around the world.
Careers
Career paths
The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy will open doors to a diverse range of career opportunities, both within and beyond academia. It is particularly suited to individuals aiming to work in international, national, and regional organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private sector firms addressing global challenges.
Graduates may pursue careers in government agencies such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Ministry of Defence, or the Diplomatic Service. The programme also provides a strong foundation for those applying to competitive pathways like the Civil Service Fast Stream. Additionally, it prepares students for roles in international organisations, think tanks, and media outlets that focus on foreign policy and international relations.
Employer-valued skills
The practical and theoretical components of the course are designed to develop transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers across a range of sectors. The course’s focus on applied learning, ensures graduates are well-equipped for a variety of roles.
Key skills developed include:
- Policy and Political Analysis: Ability to assess and formulate foreign and domestic policies.
- Empirical Research and Analysis: Strong data interpretation and analytical skills.
- Effective Communication and Presentation: Clear and persuasive communication of complex ideas.
- Argument Development and Debate: Crafting and defending positions in high-stakes discussions.
- Negotiation: Navigating diplomatic and organisational negotiations with confidence.
- Leadership: Taking initiative and leading teams in a variety of settings.
- Group Management: Coordinating and managing group tasks and projects effectively.
This skillset ensures that graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in roles such as policy advisor, diplomat, international relations specialist, or in leadership positions in global institutions and NGOs.
