Diplomacy by Research

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The University of Buckingham is introducing a new MA in Diplomacy, by research, in 2012. Following on from the Universitys groundbreaking programme in Military History, this is the first one-year Research MA in Diplomacy, and the first with an integral course of seminars by visiting lecturers of international repute.

The programme is London-based and directed by Professor David Armstrong and Professor Richard Langhorne, both Professors of Global Politics at Buckingham and authors of major works on diplomacy. The lectures offered by the Course Directors will be supplemented by a series of ten guest seminars by some of the leading scholars in the field, including Professors G.R. Berridge, Erik Goldstein and Jeremy Black. Seminars will also be taken by some very eminent practitioners, including:

* Sir Rodric Braithwaite, former Ambassador to The Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, foreign policy advisor to the Prime Minister and Chairman of the UK Joint Intelligence Committee
* Sir Brian Crowe, a former Ambassador and Head of the Policy Planning Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and former Director-General for External and (latterly) Politico-Military Affairs in the Council of the European Union, with responsibility for developing the EUs Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
* Sir Richard Dearlove, Master of Pembroke College Cambridge and former Head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
* Bridget Kendall, the diplomatic correspondent of the BBC
* Sir Christopher Mallaby, formerly Ambassador to Germany and France and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet

The programme runs from September 2012 to August 2013, with thirteen research seminars three on research techniques and ten by guest lecturers.

The MA does not offer systematic instruction in diplomacy; instead, the emphasis is on independent research.

At the heart of the Buckingham MA is the close working relationship between student and supervisor. While the final thesis must be an independent work, it is the supervisor who offers advice on refining the topic (if necessary), on primary sources, on secondary reading, on research techniques and on writing the final text (which should be not less than 20,000 words). Supervisors and students will meet frequently throughout the year, and not less than twice a term; and the supervisor shall always be the students primary contact for academic advice and support.

This is a London-based course. The seminars will be held at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, in Central London (71-77 Pall Mall). The nearest London Underground Station is Green Park (Victoria, Jubilee and Piccadilly Lines).

Each seminar (approximately 90 minutes, 18:45-20:15) is followed by a post-seminar dinner, also at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, for those who wish to attend, where there will be an opportunity to continue the seminar discussion in an informal environment.

Introductory classes:
* Professor Richard Langhorne, Professor of Global Politics, University of Buckingham; former Director, Wilton Park, think tank and diplomatic conference centre of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; former Director of the Centre for International Studies, Cambridge University.
* Professor David Armstrong, Professor of Global Politics, University of Buckingham; Founding Editor of the journal Diplomacy and Statecraft.
* Professor G.R. Berridge, former Professor at the University of Leicester and author of the major textbook, Diplomacy: Theory and Practice

First or Second Class honours degree or relevant experience English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 570 TOEFL iBT® test: 90 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Bursaries and scholarships can be a great way of financing your studies, and enabling you to achieve your potential. If you win a scholarship, you receive a discount on your fees and, most important, a scholarship on your CV will make you stand out to future employers.

How many bursaries and scholarships are available?
A number of scholarships and bursaries are awarded annually by the University which vary from partial fee to full-fee awards. These are thanks to the donations received from supporters of the University, including the Audrey Osborn Trust, The Headley Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Brunner Family Trust, RM & D Gregory, Eranda Foundation and John Desborough Memorial Bequest.

Applications are now closed for July and September 2012 applicants. We will be considering January and April 2013 applicants from Monday 17 September, the deadline for submission will be Friday 2 November.

The following Scholarships have specific entry criteria and / or deadlines:

* Sir Ray Tindle Scholarships
* The Paul E H Davis Awards Deadline for applications: 31 October 2012 for Exhibitions & flexible for Research Scholarship.

Entry requirements & procedure
It is the Universitys policy to ensure that bursaries and scholarships are awarded to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from a University education. In the case of some scholarships, at the request of the donor, academic merit will also be taken into consideration.

All awards are subject to your meeting the Universitys academic entry requirements and abiding by the rules and regulations. To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you will need to have been offered a place to study at Buckingham. In the case of UCAS applications, if you are made an award you will need to select Buckingham as your firm acceptance choice.

Please note: these awards are made to new students only, current students are not eligible to apply.