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

Thierry Balzacq is a Professor of International Relations at Sciences Po and Professorial Fellow at CERI-Sciences Po, Paris. He is also the Director of Graduate Studies in Political Science at the School of Research and Scientific Advisor of the Master in International Governance and Diplomacy, at PSIA. He is member of the National Council for Universities (CNU), Section 4 (Political Science).

In 2024, Thierry Balzacq conducted a study for the development of the future EU Diplomatic Academy (EUDA), on behalf of the diplomatic service of the European Union – the European External Action Service (EEAS). He was formerly the Scientific Director at the French Ministry of Defense’s research center (2014-2016).

Thierry Balzacq was the 2022/2023 Susan Strange Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the George Soros Distinguished Visiting Professor at Central European University (CEU);a former visiting fellow at the Australian National University (2017-2018) and held various appointments at McGill, the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, The International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), Aberystwyth, the University Abdou Moumouni of Niamey (Niger), and ENA (now, INSP).

Thierry Balzacq holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and completed his postdoctoral studies at Harvard University. He sits on the editorial boards of Security Studies and Critical Studies on Security. Balzacq is an elected member of the Governing board of the European International Studies Association (EISA). 

Full biography and list of publications. 

Testimonials from graduates

• Nora, International Consultant, UN DESA
• 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 2024 Summa Cum Laude:

• Maria Bermudez
• Caitriona Keane
• Ricarda Seitz
• Jisoo Yoon

CONTACTS

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

Academic Assistant: Elvedina Cappelle

• 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.