Diplomatic Studies

The University of Oxford offers a graduate course in diplomatic studies lasting one academic year, from early October to the end of June, at the Department for Continuing Education. The Foreign Service Programme (FSP) will enter its 49th year in October 2017 and its graduates now occupy a large number of senior posts in the international field.

The FSP is specifically designed for early to mid career diplomats. It aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required for diplomacy in the 21st century, and the confidence on which to base a successful diplomatic career within a foreign ministry, international organisation or elsewhere. Those admitted to the FSP become members of a community of professional diplomats.

The majority of those who join the FSP are established diplomats proposed for the course by their governments, and return to their diplomatic careers after the course is over. A few non-diplomats with relevant background, personal qualities and working experience are included. Geographical representation on the course is extremely broad and you will have the opportunity to benefit significantly from exchange of experience between each other and with alumni.

You will enjoy full membership of both the University and one of the colleges of the University.

You will initially be admitted on to the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Diplomatic Studies, which comprises four taught courses and is assessed by four year-end examinations. During the first term you may apply to transfer to the PGDip in Diplomatic Studies, which will require you to also complete a substantial research project. If you successfully complete the PGDip then you may apply for the MSt in Diplomatic Studies, a research degree completed on a part-time, at-distance basis in the following academic year.

The core curriculum comprises an intensive course on aspects of current diplomatic practice, and the study of international politics, public international law and international trade and finance. Emphasis is placed 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 practical exercises, for example in negotiation, crisis management, public speaking and handling media interviews. There are guest speakers, both professional and academic, and occasional guest dinners throughout the year. Contact hours would typically amount to 64 lectures/seminars, 14 classes and 35 tutorials. Preparation for these is self-directed work.

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

Study tours

As part of the course in diplomatic practice, the FSP 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..

More information on the ground covered by the curriculum included in a normal year's programme is given in the FSP course outline.

Languages

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.

For non-native speakers, advanced English language classes are an integral part of the Foreign Service 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.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any relevant subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

The requirement for a first-class or strong upper second-class degree with honours can alternatively be demonstrated by relevant professional experience. If you have experience of diplomacy or a related field, you are encouraged to apply if your marks are equivalent to at least an upper second-class degree or GPA of 3.0.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose: Up to 300 words
• Supplementary information form
• References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level