Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. This nine-month master’s degree investigates a broad range of policy issues related to the institutions and processes of global governance and diplomacy – at international, transnational, state, and domestic levels. The course equips you to understand and explain global governance and diplomacy, and prepares you for a career in these areas and beyond. Course objectives By focusing on the institutions and processes of global governance and diplomacy, the MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy enables students not only to develop a big-picture view of world politics but also to specialise on topical aspects and make an original contribution based on their own research. Course structure You take a foundation course, two option courses from a list of choices, a course on research methods, and write a dissertation. The foundation course is a two-term course running over 16 weeks and covering fundamental issues of global governance and international diplomacy. The option courses cover important aspects of global governance and/or diplomacy. Each option consists of eight two-hour seminars. There is a mandatory, two-term course on qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. Lastly, you will research and write a dissertation under the direction of a supervisor, to be submitted towards the end of the final term. Over the duration of the course, you will benefit from a series of plenary lectures and other events. The speakers discuss important issues of global governance and diplomacy and/or provide research-led presentations followed by discussion. For more information, including the course handbook and further details about course offerings, see our course page on the departmental website. Teaching and learning Most of the department's teaching takes place in small classes to encourage active participation and enable students to learn from each other. Teaching styles vary and include lectures, seminars, workshops, and student presentations. Readings for a seminar class are normally in the order of five to seven articles, or 100-150 pages per week. Students and staff are passionate about research for graduate dissertations, which are due in late May or early June. Your general and dissertation supervisor(s) will support you in your academic development and you will meet them regularly. In addition, you will have a college advisor whom you may consult on issues concerning your personal wellbeing.