(Full time / Part time) 2021 start
Global Governance and Diplomacy MA
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
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Our MA Global Governance and Diplomacy provides the expertise and skills required to pursue a fruitful career within an international organisation and their member states, or a non-governmental organisation operating within global politics. The skills-based teaching throughout the course will allow you to gain training in the practices, institutions, and processes that address the key global challenges of our time such as: health, food security, climate change, migration, gender equality, humanitarian assistance, health, poverty, economic stability, development and education.
Throughout the programme you will gain a deeper understanding of the transnational nature of these issues, and how the interrelated and global scale of these challenges requires a fresh approach beyond the nation state. You will gain a deeper understanding of the governance regimes that seek to address global challenges, why such regimes succeed or fail, the politics underpinning current practice and the obstacles to change.
The practical focus of the course will ensure you are well-equipped and practiced in the skills required to succeed in this field, such as lobbying, report writing, negotiating, and campaigning.
You will also benefit from the research expertise and experience of staff contributing to the programme. Our staff have experience working with major international bodies such as the United Nations (UN), the Joint Office for Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and beyond.
Research expertise
Our department is large and diverse with academics who are widely recognised as leading experts in their field. You will therefore benefit from a very broad range of expertise in terms of substantive issues and regional specialisms.
Experience opportunities
All students on all our degree schemes, including international students, have access to hundreds of volunteering opportunities through the Leeds for Life scheme. In addition, our dedicated careers team and in-School employability champions can work with you to attain work experience opportunities during and after your course.
Studying in the School of Politics and International Studies
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Course content
Compulsory modules will introduce you to governance, challenging the view of the nation state as the sole actor of change. You will analyse the power of different actors in addressing global issues and build skills required for 21st century diplomacy. You will explore ways to effectively implement changes transnationally, looking beyond ministries of foreign affairs and diplomats to include non-governmental organisations, individuals and municipal governments or cities.
Your dissertation will then allow you to critically examine an issue related to international diplomatic practices, transnational cooperation and governance.
The range of optional modules will allow you to gain specialised knowledge of particular global challenges and the related governance structure and diplomatic practices.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Diplomatic Practice 30 credits
- Global Governance 30 credits
- Dissertation 60 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 60 credits from the below:
- Engaging the Modern City: The Civic Researcher 30 credits
- Global Governance through Law 30 credits
- Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance 30 credits
- Education in Development 30 credits
- Gender, Globalisation and Development 30 credits
- Global Inequalities and Development 30 credits
- International Relations and the Environment 30 credits
- Global Justice 30 credits
Learning and teaching
Teaching methods will include traditional lectures and seminars, as well as practice-based workshops to develop skills such as report writing, presentation and campaign skills, media training, and negotiation.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a range of academic and practice-based assessments including: essays, a dissertation, reports, presentations, and group-based / work-placed projects.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or other related discipline. Relevant experience will also be taken into account.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
We operate a staged admissions process for this course, with selection deadlines throughout the year.
If you do not receive an offer in a particular stage, you will be notified that your application has been either unsuccessful or carried forward to be considered in the next stage.
Please see our How to apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.
If you require a decision earlier than the dates listed in order to meet a scholarship deadline, please notify us through the My Enquiries section of the application portal once you have applied.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
Original or certified copies of your transcripts
Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £9,750 (total)
- International: £20,250 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.
Career opportunities
This course provides students with the skills, experience and expertise required to pursue a fruitful career within international organisations and their member states, or non-governmental organisations. The combination of an academic and practical focus will allow you to develop both the knowledge and skills to succeed in global governance.
Careers support
The School of Politics and International Studies has a dedicated Careers Consultant who is on-hand throughout the year to support and advise you in regards to your career. The School also arranges a number of guest speaker events where you are able to engage with prospective employers, and hear from leading figures in the field.
Find out more about how we support your career development
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.