Find out more about studying Global Governance and Diplomacy MA at University of Leeds? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Leeds, Main
Full Time
Sep 2026
1 Year
This course provides the expertise and skills in global governance and diplomacy required to pursue a fruitful career within international organisations, their member states, or a non-governmental organisation operating within global politics. Throughout the course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the transnational nature of governance and diplomacy. You’ll analyse the transnational governance regimes that seek to address global challenges, questioning why such regimes succeed or fail. You’ll also examine the politics underpinning current diplomatic practice and the obstacles to change. The practical focus of the course will ensure you’re well equipped to succeed in this field, with advanced knowledge of lobbying, report writing, negotiating, and campaigning. Course highlightsYou'll benefit from the research expertise and experience of staff contributing to the course. Our staff have experience working with major international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Joint Office for Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect, and other UN agencies. This course features research-led teaching informed by the research that occurs in the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, recognised internationally for its work on atrocity prevention, the Centre for Democratic Politics, and the Centre for Global Development. Studying in the School of Politics and International StudiesWatching in China? View this video on YouKu.
This module offers an introduction to contemporary diplomatic practice. The course examines the concept and history of diplomacy, its historical development, negotiation and mediation tactics and strategies, diplomacy arrangements at global, regional and local levels, and key issues around how diplomacy is perceived. A unique feature of this module is its practical and applied focus. Students will be introduced to key forms of negotiation and diplomatic practice, where case studies will be examined with the production of participatory and simulated negotiations. In addition, students will be introduced to a range of legal mechanisms used in global policy, with coverage on how various legal mechanisms are used, written and delivered.
This module is offered for all students studying for a Masters programme in the School of Politics and International Studies. It is designed to serve as an introduction to the Masters programmes and to provide guidance for your dissertation.
The current global governance system emerged out of the intergovernmental system that was created after the end of World War II. While the international post-World War II system was intended to strengthen multilateral cooperation among states, it was not necessarily built to find answers to the global (development) challenges of our times, ranging from health epidemics through food security, to the regulation of the internet and climate change. This module discusses several crucial questions regarding the current state of the global governance system and sheds light on the multi-faceted governance challenges this system is confronting. How are global challenges like climate change, health epidemics, global hunger or the global regulation of the internet reconfiguring the way global governance is understood? How are the principal actors in this system responding to these challenges? How to create innovative governance solutions to some of these urgent challenges? And what are the limitations, paradoxes and shortcomings of this complex multi-actor and multi-level governance system?
