StudyQA — Diploma: Diplomatic Studies

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The MSt in Diplomatic Studies is a progression course and available only if you have already completed the PGDip in Diplomatic Studies.

You have the opportunity to transfer from the PGCert in Diplomatic Studies to the PGDip at the end of your first term in Oxford. If you successfully complete the PGDip then you may progress to the MSt, a distance learning course, during a second academic year.

The MSt consists of an academic year of research, undertaken on a part-time basis, and the writing of a 15,000-word dissertation under distance supervision. The dissertation will be on a topic relevant to one or more of the subjects covered in the PGDip course year.

The working language of the course is English.

FSP members accepted for the Master of Studies in Diplomatic Studies have the opportunity to undertake further supervised research into an aspect of diplomacy on a part-time, distance-learning basis. They have remote access to Oxford University’s electronic research and library facilities, and benefit from online discussions, seminars and presentations from an Academic Adviser.

Assessment

The Postgraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies requires the completion of the curriculum and four year-end examinations.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies requires in addition the completion of a Dissertation (12,000 words).
The Master of Studies in Diplomatic Studies requires the completion of a MSt Dissertation (15,000 words) as well as successful completion of the PG Diploma.

Students who complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies successfully may apply to undertake the Master of Studies in Diplomatic Studies in either of the two following academic years

Applications are considered by an Admissions Committee comprised of the Programme Director and at least two other people, including a person who is the holder of a tenured teaching position in the University. The Admissions Committee will interview shortlisted candidates.

For admission to the Master of Studies, a student must normally achieve an average mark of 60 or above in the Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies including 60 or above in the dissertation. Offers made before completion of the PG Diploma will normally be conditional on achieving this mark.

In addition, the Admissions Committee will assess applications by reference to the following criteria:

the student is academically prepared and capable of undertaking a research dissertation of 15,000 words of the necessary quality;
the student has a viable and relevant topic of research;
the student has sufficient knowledge of the resources and materials necessary to their proposed research;
they are aware of the requirements of the second year of part-time study;
they will have access to the materials and sources necessary to completion of the dissertation;
they will be able to devote sufficient time to complete their proposed dissertation topic within the period prescribed;
they have identified a suitable supervisor for the dissertation;
where applicable, the student’s employer approves and agrees to support the undertaking of a second year of part-time study to complete the dissertation.