Master in International Governance and Diplomacy

General objectives

This program has evolved substantially over the past decade in response to the new challenges and changing dimensions of international affairs.

The Master in International Governance and Diplomacy provides an in-depth view of a wide range of policy issues involving international governance at the international, national and local levels, and the practice of diplomacy on both a multi-lateral and bi-lateral basis.  The program takes an analytical approach to policies and equips students with the skills to design, implement and analyse from different levels of expertise and sectors.  It brings together the knowledge of diverse actors to manage collective action on the international stage, whilst incorporating diplomatic practices.

Main orientations and specific features

This intensive two-year program is divided into three academic semesters and one practical semester (during semester 3) designed to develop professional, research and analytical potentials of the students. 

Courses in the core curriculum of the Master focus on the following seven main themes:

• Policy Analysis for International Governance;
• International Political Economy and Economic Policy;
• International Law;
• Strategy, Leadership and Management;
• International Organizations and fundamentals of diplomacy;
• Leadership and management in diplomacy;
• Diplomacy and foreign affairs;

Due to the fact that this program integrates the study of diplomacy alongside international governance (i.e. policy analysis, international political economy, law and management), students will only select one thematic or regional concentrations (excluding diplomacy) ; rather than two for other PSIA programs.

Programme structure

Details regarding PSIA’s general program structure.

Students starting the International Governance and Diplomacy program in 2024 will follow the program structure below:

Download the program structure (PDF, 57 Kb).

The degree structure for students in the following programs can be found at: Dual Degree program, Joint Master program and One-Year Master program.

The Master in International Governance & Diplomacy program incorporates Diplomacy as the first concentration for all students. Students in the Dual degree, Joint Master and One-Year Master programs will automatically follow the Diplomacy concentration for the program as their one concentration.

Programs

• Fall courses - Semester 1
• Fall courses - Semester 3
• Spring courses - Semester 2 
• Spring courses - Semester 4 

Career Opportunities

International Governance and Diplomacy students may typically consider careers in the diplomatic corps, local, national or international administrations, in intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations or in transnational firms. They typically seek work in domains such as international cooperation, development or new public-private sector partnerships, consulting in international organizations or in the private sector.

Scientific advisor

Richard Balme is professor of political science at Sciences Po, Paris School of International Affairs, and research fellow at the Centre d’Etudes Europeennes (CEE). He also teaches at the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University, Beijing. He teaches and researches comparative public policy and international relations. Among his recent publications are Collective Action and European Democracy. Power and Protest in the EU (with D. Chabanet, Rowman and Littlefield, 2008); Europe-Asia Relations: Building Multilateralisms (with B. Bridges, Palgrave, 2008); “Central-Local Relations and Innovation in Environmental Policy-Making: Comparative Perspectives”, a special issue of Environmental Policy and Governance (with Qi Ye, Eds, 2014); Smart Grids Applications and Developments (with Li V., Hills P., Mah D., Eds, London, Springer Verlag, 2014).

Testimonials from graduates

• Bilen, Innovation and Experimentation Project Manager within the strategy department at the French Ministry of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion 
• Giulio, Political Affairs Officer, Syria Team of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs 
• Fangzhou, Associate Web Officer, UNESCO, International Institute for Educationnal Planning
• Alexis, Analyst, The World Bank Group
• Johannes, AI Policy Advisor, OECD
• Marianna, Chief of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of El Salvador
• Boyun, Investment Officer, AIIB
• Mira, co-founder, Centre de Formation et d'Action Contre le Faim (CFAF)
• Sylvana, Associate Project Officer, UNESCO
• Asgerdur, Director of Communications and Startegy, The Arctic Circle
• Kannelle, Head of Sciences Po's East Africa Office
• Antonio, Data Specialist, Solidarités International
• Mattia, Blue Book Trainee, European Commission
• Gaia, Public Policy Consultant, PwC and Co-founder of the Carbon Neutrality Challenge
• Melina, Program Development and Strategist, Ecogenia
• Mariane, Junior Policy Analyst, OECD

Discover PSIA 2023 Summa Cum Laude:

• Lara Regazzo

CONTACTS

Scientific Advisor: Professor Richard Balme

Academic Advisor: Mimi Maung-Trentin and Tingyu Li, office hours (by appointment)

Academic Assistant: Elvedina Cappelle, office hours :

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-12:45 and 2:15-4:45;
• Wednesday and Friday 9:30-12:45.

Key information about the application process (requirements, documents, deadlines and calendar, etc) can only be found on Sciences Po’s Admissions website.