Ms Liz Galvez was a senior diplomat with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, taking early retirement in 2006 with the rank of Counsellor. During her 33 year career, she served in a wide range of diplomatic jobs in London and several overseas post...
STATUS:Open for applications
APPLICATION DEADLINE:15 October 2020
START DATE:24 January 2022
FEES:€8700 (postgraduate diploma) + €2600 (Master’s dissertation); Scholarships available
COURSE CODE:PMCDIPFDL8 / PMCDIGVFDL2
ECTS CREDITS:90
About the programme
Earn an accredited Master’s degree without taking time off work.
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy guides working diplomats and international relations professionals through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges.
The programme, offered in cooperation with the University of Malta Department of International Relations, includes a 10-day residential workshop in Malta followed by 16 to 20 months of online study. Online areas of study range from the basics of diplomacy (including Diplomatic Theory and Practice, Bilateral Diplomacy, Multilateral Diplomacy) to contemporary topics (Language and Diplomacy, Development Diplomacy, E-Diplomacy and more).
Internet governance specialisation: Applicants may select Internet governance as an area of specialisation within the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy. This programme gives current and future Internet policymakers a solid foundation in diplomatic skills and techniques.
For more information please contact Patrick Borg (Master's Programme Coordinator) on patrickb@diplomacy.edu or +356 21 333 323
Lecturers
How to apply
How to apply
Complete applications must be received by 15 October 2020.
Required documents
Please send the complete application package by e-mail to admissions@diplomacy.edu or by post to:
DiploFoundation
Anutruf, Ground Floor
Hriereb Street
Msida, MSD 1675, Malta
Tel: +356 21 333 323; Fax: +356 21 315 574
Please note that by sending your application package, you are confirming that you have read DiploFoundation's Privacy Policy. Please note that DiploFoundation will process and share your personal data with third parties (including the University of Malta) for admissions and academic matters, administering finance, and administrative purposes in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Please ensure that your application package is complete as we cannot process incomplete applications.
Late applications may be considered if space remains in the programme - please contact us if you wish to submit an application after the deadline.
In case of any queries please contact: admissions@diplomacy.edu
- University of Malta application form filled out in full (download form). At the top of the form please indicate February 2021 as the start date. For Section A please indicate the correct course code and title: Master in Contemporary Diplomacy (PMCDIPFDL8); or Master in Contemporary Diplomacy (Internet governance) (PMCDIGVFDL2).
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Draft research proposal of around 500 words (relevant to Section F of the application form; or Section E for Maltese applicants). You will have the opportunity to revise or change this before begining work on your dissertation, if you opt for the Master's degree.
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Copies or scans of your degree(s) and official transcripts. Originals must be presented during the introductory workshop in Malta.
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English translations of degree(s) and transcripts if they are not in English, signed and stamped by translator (copy or scan with the application, originals to be presented in Malta).
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English language proficiency certificate obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements: Paper-based TOEFL - 600; Internet-based TOEFL – 95 (with a writing score of at least 24); IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each element); Cambridge: Advanced Certificate with Grade C or better). Please indicate on the application form if you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results.
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Copy or scan of the personal details pages of your passport.
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If you are requesting financial assistance, please include your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include details of your relevant professional and educational background; reasons for your interest in the programme; and why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this programme, i.e. how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country. Financial assistance from DiploFoundation is only available to applicants from developing countries.
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Application fee or proof of payment (€100 – non-refundable – see methods of payment).
Detailed information
Course details
[Update] Applications are now open
Earn an accredited Master’s degree without taking time off work.
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy guides working diplomats and international relations professionals through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges.
The programme, offered in cooperation with the University of Malta Department of International Relations, includes a 10-day residential workshop in Malta followed by 16 to 20 months of online study. The residential workshop focuses on practical skills, while online areas of study range from the basics of diplomacy (including Diplomatic Theory and Practice, Bilateral Diplomacy, Multilateral Diplomacy) through to contemporary topics (Language and Diplomacy, Development Diplomacy, E-Diplomacy and more).
- Flexible: You design your study programme, deciding on the Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s degree, and selecting from our wide range of courses. You decide when and where to study.
- Practical and affordable: Programme fees cover participation and accommodation for the 10-day workshop in Malta and the entire online course tuition. Even better, with online study you can continue to work and earn an income. All you need is a computer connected to the Internet.
- Relevant: Courses cover traditional and contemporary topics in diplomacy, and are kept relevant through discussion of current events and trends. Faculty members include practising and retired diplomats with both theoretical expertise and practical experience in the field.
- Personalised: Extend your professional network through your classmates and lecturers. Small group sizes emphasise learning together, drawing on the experience and knowledge of participants as well as lecturers.
- Effective: The programme is highly rated by former participants, who have seen immediate and lasting benefits ranging from personal development to career advances.
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy has European postgraduate accreditation through the Department of International Relations at the University of Malta, making it recognised worldwide.
Internet governance specialisation: Applicants may select Internet governance as an area of specialisation within the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy. Candidates for this area of specialisation will attend several required courses in the area of Internet governance (Introduction to Internet Governance, E-diplomacy, and at least one of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure and Critical Internet Resources) and select their remaining courses from the wide list of diplomacy topics (see Provisional schedule for 2021 for Internet governance specialisation below). Candidates will write their dissertations on Internet governance-related topics.
Candidates who successfully complete the Internet governance specialisation will receive a degree/diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy awarded by the University of Malta. Internet governance courses attended – as well as other courses attended – will be listed in the detailed transcript issued on completion of the programme.
Programme structure
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy consists of a compulsory 10-day workshop in Malta followed by 16 to 20 months of online learning, including writing a Master's dissertation.
The option of completing up to two of the online courses before enrolling in the programme offers additional flexibility and financial savings. Please see University of Malta Accredited Courses to learn more about this option.
The programme language is English, giving non-native speakers a valuable opportunity to practise and hone their skills at expressing and explaining work-related concepts in this international language.
Faculty members include high-ranking, practising and retired diplomats as well as renowned academics in the fields of diplomacy and international relations. For further details please visit our faculty page.
Phase 1: Attend the introductory residential workshop in Malta
The compulsory residential workshop focuses on building skills used in diplomatic practice. Seminars are drawn from the following:
- Bilateral and multilateral negotiation skills
- Language and influence
- Communication skills and public speaking
- Media skills
- Diplomatic reporting
- Public diplomacy
- Online learning study skills
- Consular crisis management
- Diplomatic protocol and etiquette
- E-diplomacy
- Internet governance
- Development diplomacy
You will need to bring a notebook or laptop computer for participation in the Malta workshop. A wireless Internet connection will be available in the workshop room.
An important benefit of the workshop is meeting other course participants and faculty members face-to-face. This personal contact makes the online learning phase richer and more rewarding. Participants tell us that they keep in touch with classmates and faculty members long after the programme ends and the resulting professional network is highly valuable in their work.
Phase 2: Choose your online courses
During the online learning phase, you return home and complete five online courses of your choice, each lasting ten weeks. Participants usually choose one course during each of the five sessions of the programme, although two courses may be taken simultaneously if this suits your schedule better. Participation in the programme involves seven to ten hours of study time per week (based on taking one online course at a time).
Courses cover a wide range of both traditional and contemporary topics in diplomacy, many of them not taught elsewhere. Please see the provisional schedule below, and visit our Course Catalogue for a full list of courses and their descriptions.
Discussion and interaction with course lecturers and among participants improves and enhances individual study of course topics. We keep online class groups small to allow for rich collaborative learning.
After successful completion of the introductory workshop and the online learning phase, you may choose whether to receive the Postgraduate Diploma or to proceed with writing your Master's dissertation.
Phase 3: Write your dissertation
If you aim for the Master's degree, you will prepare a 25 000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice under the personal online guidance of a research supervisor selected from Diplo's faculty members. You may decide whether to write your dissertation over a four- or eight-month period. Candidates for the Internet governance specialisation will write their dissertations on Internet governance-related topics.
In order to proceed to the Master’s degree you must achieve an average mark of at least 65% for the five online courses.
If you have already completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy and would like to write your Master's dissertation, please see our page on How to Apply for the Master's Dissertation.
Provisional schedule for 2021 (subject to possible changes)
Note: visit our Course Catalogue for full course descriptions.
Introductory Workshop in Malta: Monday, 1 February to Wednesday, 10 February 2021 (required for all candidates)
Online Learning Session 1: week of 15 February to week of 19 April 2021
- Diplomatic Theory and Practice
- Public Diplomacy
- Introduction to Internet Governance
- Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance and Policy Frameworks
Online Learning Session 2: week of 3 May to week of 5 July 2021
- Bilateral Diplomacy
- Diplomacy of Small States
- E-Diplomacy
Online Learning Session 3: week of 19 July to week of 20 September 2021
- Multilateral Diplomacy
- Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities
- 21st Century Diplomacy
Online Learning Session 4: week of 4 October to week of 6 December 2021
- Development Diplomacy
- Language and Diplomacy
- Economic Diplomacy
Online Learning Session 5: week of 14 February to week of 18 April 2022
- Diplomatic Theory and Practice
- Public Diplomacy
- Introduction to Internet Governance
- Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance & Policy Frameworks
Provisional schedule for 2021 (subject to possible changes) for Internet governance specialisation
Note: visit our Course Catalogue for full course descriptions.
Introductory Workshop in Malta: Monday, 1 February to Wednesday, 10 February 2021 (required for all candidates)
Online Learning Session 1: week of 15 February to week of 19 April 2021
- Introduction to Internet Governance
Online Learning Session 2: week of 3 May to week of 5 July 2021
- E-Diplomacy
Online Learning Session 3: week of 19 July to week of 20 September 2021
- Infrastructure and Critical Internet Resources*
- Multilateral Diplomacy
- Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities
- 21st Century Diplomacy
Online Learning Session 4: week of 4 October to week of 6 December 2021
- Cybersecurity*
- Development Diplomacy
- Language and Diplomacy
- Economic Diplomacy
* Participants must choose at least one of Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure and Critical Internet Resources, either in the Learning Session 3 or 4.
Online Learning Session 5: week of 14 February to week of 18 April 2022
- Diplomatic Theory and Practice
- Public Diplomacy
- Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance and Policy Frameworks
Who should apply
This programme will be of interest to:
- Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics.
- Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats.
- Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy.
- Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.
The Internet governance area of specialisation will be of interest to:
- Individuals interested in developing a career in Internet governance, cybersecurity and other emerging Internet policy areas.
- Diplomats and government officials dealing with Internet governance, cybersecurity and other Internet-related policy issues.
- Business people and civil society activists involved in multistakeholder Internet governance processes.
- Postgraduate students of diplomacy, international relations, and communications wishing to study the multidisciplinary topic of Internet governance, and to gain deeper insight into Internet governance through interaction with diplomats and Internet governance policymakers.
- Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who would like to take active part in Internet policy-making.
Prerequisites
Applicants for the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy must meet University of Malta prerequisites for postgraduate study:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject with at least Second Class Honours.
- English language proficiency certificate obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements: Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) – 95 (with a writing score of at least 24); IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each element); Cambridge: Advanced Certificate with Grade C or better). Please indicate on the application form if you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results.
All applicants must have regular access to the Internet (dial-up connection is sufficient, although broadband is preferable).
Fees
The fee for the Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy is €8700. After successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, participants who choose to write the Master's dissertation pay an additional fee of €2600.
The fee covers:
- Application and registration fees
- Tuition fees for workshop and five online courses
- Ten-day Introductory Workshop in Malta:
- Eleven nights accommodation including breakfast and lunch at a four star hotel
- Skill improvement workshops with our international team of experts
- Group and personalised training in computer and IT skills necessary for online learning
- Access to all course materials online, via Diplo's online classroom
- Access, via the Internet, to the University of Malta e-journal collection
- Personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants
- Use of Diplo’s online databases and resources
- Online technical support
- For the Master's dissertation, personal supervision by one of our faculty members and advising by Diplo staff
The fee does not include travel expenses to Malta for the workshop.
A non-refundable application fee of €100 must be submitted with the application package. On acceptance into the programme, the amount of the application fee will be deducted from the course fee.
Financial Assistance
DiploFoundation offers a limited number of partial scholarships for the Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy fee, to assist diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries. Financial assistance is not available to cover the additional fees for the Master's dissertation.
To apply for a scholarship please include your CV and a motivation letter with your application package. The motivation letter should include:
- Details of your relevant professional and educational background.
- Reasons for your interest in the programme.
- Why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this programme: how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country.
As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions.
Maltese applicants: Get Qualified scheme
Maltese applicants can benefit from up to 70% of the fee in tax credits, as part of the Get Qualified 2017-2020 scheme. The credit can be set off against personal income.
Get Qualified is an initiative of the Government of Malta that supports the personal development of individuals for the achievement of qualifications and certifications required by industry. The incentive is applicable to individuals following our Master/PGD programme. Upon successful completion the student will benefit from a tax credit enabling them to recover part of the costs incurred.
How to apply for the Get Qualified scheme
In order to benefit from tax credits, students need to follow the procedure:
- Since the Master/PGD is on the Get Qualified approved list of courses, students should register on the Get Qualified portal.
- Once registered, students will receive a username and password enabling them to access the online system, submit and manage their application. Following registration, students are reminded that they are still required to submit their application, in line with the Incentive Guidelines.
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