Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Diplomacy

The Master of Arts in Diplomacy is a postgraduate programme offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. The programme provides advanced training in diplomatic theory, practice, and international relations, preparing graduates for careers in foreign service, international organisations, and diplomatic practice.

The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical skills, equipping students with knowledge of diplomatic protocols, international law, negotiation, conflict management, and global governance. Students develop competence in diplomatic communication, international negotiation, foreign policy analysis, and the role of diplomacy in addressing global challenges.

Core areas of study include diplomatic theory and practice, international law, international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, negotiation and mediation, international security, diplomatic communication, and research methods in international studies. The programme emphasises both historical and contemporary dimensions of diplomacy.

The University of Nairobi's Department of Diplomacy and International Studies is Kenya's premier institution for diplomatic education, located at the main campus. The department has strong connections with Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international embassies, and regional organisations, providing students with exposure to real diplomatic practice.

The programme is designed for both recent graduates and professionals seeking careers in diplomacy, foreign service, international organisations, and related fields. Intake is done in September only, with students completing coursework and a research thesis over two years of full-time study.

Graduates are prepared for careers as diplomats, foreign service officers, international organisation staff, policy analysts, political advisors, and international relations consultants in government, international organisations, NGOs, and private sector organisations engaged in international affairs.

Skills Required

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
International Negotiation
Foreign Policy Analysis
International Law
Diplomatic Communication
Conflict Management and Resolution
International Relations Theory
Protocol and Etiquette
Research Methods in International Studies
Global Governance

Key Subjects

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
International Law
International Relations Theory
Foreign Policy Analysis
Negotiation and Mediation
International Security
Diplomatic Communication
Protocol and Etiquette
Research Methods in International Studies
Global Governance

Certifications

UNITAR Diplomatic Training Certification
African Diplomatic Studies Association Membership

Specializations

Bilateral Diplomacy

Focuses on diplomatic relations between states, including embassy operations, bilateral agreements, and diplomatic representation.

Multilateral Diplomacy

Examines diplomacy in international organisations including the United Nations, African Union, and regional bodies.

International Security

Covers security studies including conflict prevention, peacekeeping, arms control, and security sector reform.

Diplomatic Negotiation

Focuses on negotiation theory and practice in diplomatic contexts, including mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution.

Foreign Policy Analysis

Examines the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, including domestic influences and international constraints.

International Law

Covers international legal frameworks including treaties, diplomatic law, human rights law, and international humanitarian law.

Digital Diplomacy

Examines the use of digital technologies in diplomatic practice, including social media, digital public diplomacy, and cybersecurity.

African Diplomacy

Focuses on diplomatic practice in African contexts, including AU diplomacy, regional integration, and pan-African relations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 268,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
International Law
International Relations Theory
Foreign Policy Analysis
Negotiation and Mediation
International Security
Diplomatic Communication
Protocol and Etiquette
Research Methods in International Studies
Global Governance

Modules

10 in the programme

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the theory and practice of diplomacy including diplomatic history, types of diplomacy, embassy operations, and the role of diplomats in international relations.
International Relations Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers major theories of international relations including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories, with application to contemporary global politics.
International Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines international legal frameworks including treaties, diplomatic law, state sovereignty, human rights law, and international humanitarian law.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, including domestic influences, decision-making processes, and comparative foreign policy analysis.
Negotiation and Mediation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines negotiation theory and practice in diplomatic contexts, including mediation, arbitration, conflict resolution, and diplomatic bargaining.
International Security
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers security studies including conflict prevention, peacekeeping, arms control, terrorism, and security sector reform in the international system.
Diplomatic Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines diplomatic communication including diplomatic notes, protocol, diplomatic reporting, public diplomacy, and digital diplomacy tools.
Protocol and Etiquette
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Covers diplomatic protocol, etiquette, ceremonial procedures, and the formal rules governing diplomatic interactions and state functions.
Research Methods in International Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in diplomacy and international studies.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a diplomacy or international studies topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Bilateral Diplomacy
Focuses on diplomatic relations between states, including embassy operations, bilateral agreements, and diplomatic representation.
Multilateral Diplomacy
Examines diplomacy in international organisations including the United Nations, African Union, and regional bodies.
International Security
Covers security studies including conflict prevention, peacekeeping, arms control, and security sector reform.
Diplomatic Negotiation
Focuses on negotiation theory and practice in diplomatic contexts, including mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Examines the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, including domestic influences and international constraints.
International Law
Covers international legal frameworks including treaties, diplomatic law, human rights law, and international humanitarian law.
Digital Diplomacy
Examines the use of digital technologies in diplomatic practice, including social media, digital public diplomacy, and cybersecurity.
African Diplomacy
Focuses on diplomatic practice in African contexts, including AU diplomacy, regional integration, and pan-African relations.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on diplomatic theory, international law, or foreign policy analysis at the University of Nairobi's Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. Students engage in seminar discussions on contemporary diplomatic issues, participate in negotiation simulations, and analyse case studies of diplomatic interventions. The programme includes guest lectures from practising diplomats and visits to embassies and international organisations in Nairobi. Those in the research phase conduct field research on diplomatic topics, analyse international relations data, and work on their thesis under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenya's premier institution for diplomatic education with strong connections to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nairobi hosts numerous international organisations including UNEP and UN-Habitat, providing exceptional opportunities for internships and networking.
Affordable fees at KES 260,000 total for a public university programme, significantly less than private university alternatives.
Comprehensive curriculum covering both traditional diplomacy and emerging areas including digital diplomacy and African diplomatic practice.

Against it

Intake is done in September only, limiting flexibility in admission timing.
Only full-time study mode is available, making it difficult for working professionals to pursue the programme.
Foreign service positions are highly competitive with limited openings, making direct diplomatic careers challenging to secure.
The programme may have large class sizes at UoN, potentially limiting individual attention from faculty.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public221k to 269k

221k at University of Nairobi269k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN MA ~220.5K-268.5K/yr (arts/IR depts). Private: KCA/ANU unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, University of Nairobi bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for civil servants pursuing diplomatic training.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Bursary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University of Nairobi Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
UoN students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 260,000Kenyan
Civil servants in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking professional development in diplomacy.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The point of entry into the programme is approved by Senate on the recommendation of the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies Board. Candidates may apply for exemption from specific course units based on prior qualifications, subject to examination and payment of exemption fees. Intake is in September only.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, policy analysis papers, negotiation simulations, seminar presentations, and research assignments conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering course content, including essay questions, policy analysis, and international relations theory application.
Negotiation Simulation
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment of negotiation and diplomatic skills through simulated diplomatic scenarios, assessed on preparation, communication, and outcomes.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a diplomacy or international studies topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Kenya's oldest and largest public university, through the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Professional certification
UN training institute providing diplomatic training certification. Certification recommended for career advancement in international diplomacy.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Diplomat
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Serves as a foreign service officer representing Kenya abroad, managing bilateral relations, consular services, and diplomatic communication.
International Relations Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Works in international organisations, government agencies, or NGOs managing international partnerships, programmes, and diplomatic relations.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000
Analyses foreign policy and international relations issues, providing research and recommendations to government, think tanks, or international organisations.
Political Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides political analysis and advice to embassies, international organisations, or government officials on diplomatic and political matters.
Mediation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Facilitates negotiation and mediation in conflict situations, working with peace-building organisations, governments, or international bodies.
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches international relations, diplomacy, or political science at universities, contributing to research and academic scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as diplomats, foreign service officers, international organisation staff, policy analysts, and political advisors in government, international organisations, and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for research in international studies, analysing survey data, conflict data, and political science research.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing diplomatic documents, interview data, and policy texts in international relations research.
LexisNexis
Software
Legal research database for accessing international law materials, treaties, diplomatic documents, and legal precedents.
Social Media Platforms
Software
Digital diplomacy tools including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn used for public diplomacy and international communication by diplomatic missions.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A degree in diplomacy only leads to becoming a diplomat.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including policy analysis, international development, conflict resolution, journalism, academia, and consultancy in international organisations and NGOs.
Diplomacy is only about attending formal events and ceremonies.
Modern diplomacy involves complex negotiation, policy analysis, international law, conflict resolution, digital communication, and strategic thinking across multiple issue areas.
You need connections to get into the foreign service.
While networking is important, the foreign service recruitment process is competitive and merit-based, with academic qualifications and performance in entrance examinations being primary criteria.
Diplomacy studies focus only on Western international relations.
The programme covers African diplomacy, regional integration, South-South cooperation, and Kenya's diplomatic role in Africa and globally.
The programme is only for those wanting to work in government.
Graduates work in international organisations, NGOs, private sector companies with international operations, media, and academia, applying diplomatic skills across sectors.
Digital diplomacy has made traditional diplomacy obsolete.
Digital tools complement rather than replace traditional diplomacy, with the programme covering both traditional diplomatic practice and emerging digital diplomacy approaches.