Diplomacy and International Security (Taught)

The MSc Diplomacy & International Security gives graduates from a range of academic backgrounds the opportunity to gain expertise in a vital area of international engagement. It will also appeal to professionals interested in moving into positions requiring a breadth of knowledge on diplomacy, history and security issues.

Diplomacy and International Security are among the most pressing issues facing the world today. This programme is distinctive as it offers students a historical understanding of contemporary issues and enables them to develop an in depth knowledge of diplomacy. The programme examines key international security concerns and gives students the opportunity to engage with issues of vital relevance in today’s world.

This Masters programme offers a genuinely multidisciplinary experience. Drawing on the academic expertise in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, you'll be able to select classes from History, the School of Government & Public Policy, and the Law School.

The course has links with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Consular Missions in Edinburgh. Students have the opportunity to engage with distinguished diplomatic and foreign policy practitioners who contribute to the programme.

Compulsory classes: Diplomacy: Evolution, Theory and Practice, Embassises in Crisis, Research Skills, Sources and Methods

Optional classes: Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in the Arab-Israeli Dispute, Contemporary Security Challenges and Responses, Diplomacy, Strategy and Alliance, Contemporary International Relations, The Global Cold War and Africa, International Human Rights Law, International Institutions and Regimes, Work Placement.

Assessment is conducted with a mixture of presentations, written assignments and exams that vary module by module.