About International Public Policy And Diplomacy (msc) in University College Cork

The MSc in International Public Policy and Diplomacy is an innovative, interdisciplinary, taught master’s course that provides graduates with the expertise and work experience required for successful careers in international policy environments.

The course is offered by UCC’s Departments of Government and Politics, History, Law and Management and Marketing and will give you access to expertise across a diverse range of subjects. The MSc International Public Policy and Diplomacy is strongly orientated toward vocational skills training, through coursework and the opportunity to undertake a work placement.

The work placement will give you a unique opportunity to develop important professional skills and to immediately apply your learning to the professional world.

The course will be of interest to you if you aspire to a career in, or are already working in, departments of foreign affairs and other government ministries, international political and financial organisations, the armed forces, aid agencies, non-governmental organisations, think-tanks, and international businesses.

Key features of the MSc in International Public Policy and Diplomacy are its focus on policy issues and the way in which it gives you the practical skills necessary to work in international policy environments.

The work placement and the skills focus of the assessment for the course are central to its effectiveness. In this course you will engage with the most contemporary debates and issues facing the global policymaking community and have direct interaction with current and retired policy-makers.

These features of the MSc International Public Policy and Diplomacy give our graduates a competitive edge. Past students repeatedly comment on the value of the skills component of the course and the work placements in exposing them to international environments and in engendering a deep understanding of this exciting and evolving field.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Uniquely, the MSc International Public Policy and Diplomacy offers you the choice of either a traditional minor thesis or the opportunity to undertake a work placement for between three and five months.

Students take work placements in a variety of organisations/institutions working in areas related to international affairs, such as government ministries, international organisations, the offices of elected representatives, think-tanks and non-governmental organisations.

Students are placed in major international cities, such as Brussels, London and Washington DC, as well as in Cork and Dublin. We have relationships with a variety of organisations who take students from the course and students are provided with expert support in sourcing and applying for work placements.

Skills and Careers Information

We recognise the importance of equipping our students with the skills they need to progress following graduation. You will be given expert advice on career development by a dedicated work placement officer and also have access to UCC’s Careers Service.

The work placement option gives you a unique opportunity to obtain professional experience as part of your studies and the course has established links with important international policy institutions from which you will benefit. Having completed the course, you will be a skilled analyst of international affairs and have the confidence and experience to apply that expertise in the real world.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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