Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | Programme code | PTA1POLPOL01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Level 1 |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Diplomacy and foreign policymaking have always stood at the heart of International Relations. Our MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy will provide you with the intellectual foundations and practical skills required to engage in central elements of statecraft and global governance in a rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable world. With its singular focus on enhancing your employability and career development, this programme will equip you with the critical analytical skills required to assess policy and develop responses in this increasingly challenging international environment. Our MA will first introduce you to the historical, legal, and theoretical aspects of diplomacy and foreign policymaking and subsequently allow you to put the insights gained to applied use through a more practice-focused module. As part of this applied focus, students will participate in a field trip to London. This trip will provide exposure to governmental and non-governmental institutions actively involved in the creation, scrutiny and practice of diplomacy and foreign policy. The itinerary is tailored each year to offer unique insights and opportunities for networking and career development.
We will guide you in understanding how countries achieve their foreign policy objectives, how these policies influence global conflicts, and how diplomatic practices and multilateral cooperative arrangements have evolved over time. In the process, you will gain a deeper understanding of how complex diplomatic and foreign policy issues are connected and learn to evaluate and execute them more effectively. With an enhanced confidence in your analytical abilities and a solid grasp of the subject matter, you will be well-prepared to make a positive impact in the workplace right after graduation.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The academic scope of the programme encompasses disciplines or fields such as international relations, foreign policy analysis, security and conflict studies, diplomacy and area studies, with a strong emphasis on practical knowledge and skills.
Teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third to concentrate on your dissertation. Our teaching is research-led, ensuring that what you learn will be cutting edge and at the heart of contemporary public debate. Teaching methods may include:
- Small academic seminars,
- Workshops with practitioners,
- Reading and discussion of key literature,
- Case study analysis,
- Policy brief writing,
- Individual and group presentations,
- Simulation and role-playing exercises (e.g. negotiations),
- Field trip,
- 12,000-word dissertation.
The programme will give you transferable skills that are highly valued by employers in the public and private sectors. Its intellectual aspects will provide you with an advantage in interpreting and analysing foreign policies and their associated diplomatic interactions between states and within international organisations. Its practical components will assist you in assessing geopolitical risk, as well as devising, formulating, and executing responses in a fast-moving global environment. Designed for ambitious individuals at the start and the middle of their careers, it will prepare you for leadership positions in a wide range of institutional settings, including government roles such as the foreign service, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and the media.
As part of your broader learning environment, you will be able take advantage of the research seminars and student-facing events organised, among others, by our Centre of Advanced International Studies (CAIS), Strategy and Security Institute (SSI), Centre for European Studies (CES) and The Elections Centre.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ).
Interim / Exit Awards
Exit awards of PGDip (120 credits) and PGCert (60 credits) are available to students who have completed the required number of credits but are unable for any reason to complete the 180 credits required for the MA.
Stage 1
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLM110 | Theories of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 30 | Yes |
| POLM111 | Applied Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 30 | No |
| POLM886 | Dissertation | 60 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy option modules 2025-6 | |||
| POLM503 | Foreign Policy Decision-Making | 30 | No |
| POLM341 | Omnishambles - Global Politics Simulation | 30 | No |
| POLM144 | The West, Civilisations and World Order | 30 | No |
| POLM156 | The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age | 30 | No |
| POLM344 | Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia | 30 | No |
| POLM082 | International Relations of the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM651 | State and Society in the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM084 | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics | 30 | No |
| POLM173 | Theories of International Development | 30 | No |
| POLM174 | Tools, Policy and Practice of International Development | 30 | No |
| POLM088 | State-building after Civil War | 30 | No |
| POLM308 | Transnational Security and Terrorism | 30 | No |
| POLM222M | The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development | 30 | No |
| POLM158 | Digital Politics and Policy | 30 | No |
| POLM168 | From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender | 30 | No |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | No |
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | No |
| POLM897 | Surveys and Experiments: Design, Implementation and Analysis | 15 | No |
| SPAM002 | Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies | 30 | No |
| SSIM912 | Introduction to Social Network Analysis | 15 | No |
| POLM343 | Gender, War and Militarism | 30 | No |
| POLM502 | International Relations: Power and Institutions | 30 | No |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 30 | No |
| POLM228M | Leadership, Equality and Diversity | 30 | No |
| POLM237M | Collaborative and Participatory Governance | 30 | No |
| POLM342M | Public Accountability and Governance | 30 | No |
| POLM148 | Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications | 30 | No |
| POLM803 | Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity | 30 | No |
| POLM887 | Public Policy Process | 30 | No |
| POLM231 | State Crime | 30 | No |
| POLM242 | Strategy | 30 | No |
| POLM241 | How to Make a Decision | 30 | No |
| POLM240 | Security Futures | 30 | No |
| POLM245 | Ethnopolitical Conflicts in International Law and Politics | 30 | No |
| POLM246 | The Politics of the Future | 30 | No |
| SOCM021 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption | 30 | No |
| SOCM054 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption | 15 | No |
| SOCM045 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment | 30 | No |
| SOCM044 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment | 15 | No |
| SPAM007 | Which Policies Work? Causal Methods for Policy Evaluation | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Master the key concepts of foreign policy analysis and diplomacy |
|
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Understand the relationship between foreign policy analysis and other disciplines like international relations and public policy |
|
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Improve analytical skills and critical thinking |
|
|
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic personal tutors and pastoral mentors. The role of academic personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme, including details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. Pastoral mentors are a point of contact, embedded within departments, who can support you if you are facing challenges that impact your ability to study and be successful in your programme.
There are induction sessions to orientate you at the start of the programme and there will also be opportunities to undertake elective activities in the virtual learning environment to supplement research and learning skills. Academic support will also be provided by module leaders. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
The Department of Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology’s (SPSPA) Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) for Politics and International Relations enables students and staff to participate jointly in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. These committees meet regularly and allow students to contribute directly to the enhancement of educational and other provision at discipline level.
Programme handbooks and other useful information can be accessed via the student intranet: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/myexeter/.
Other useful information and student resources can be accessed via the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE): https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/, which has specific information on library skills, essay writing and research skills.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
Not applicable to this programme.
18. Final Award
MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 04/03/2025 |
Date of last revision |
|---|
