Overview

Offering SIT’s unique brand of immersive, place-based experiential learning from diverse locations in diplomacy and international relations, this one-year master’s degree provides you with key points of comparison among U.S., European, and African perspectives as you gain a mastery of the global political system and how to maneuver within it.

In your first semester, travel to Washington, DC, to participate in a two-week traveling seminar, interacting with policymakers in the field within the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, and intergovernmental organizations. After your two weeks in Washington, you will live in Belgrade, Serbia where you will study changing alliances and the geopolitics of Europe, multilateral diplomacy, conflict and peace in Europe, the rise of populism, and actors and institutions in international politics. Your time in Europe includes traveling seminars to Vienna, Austria and Geneva, Switzerland, both headquarters of important international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Organization of Cooperation and Security in Europe, and the United Nation’s International Organization for Migration. There you will interact with policymakers to gain a unique comparative perspective on the geopolitics of Europe.

During your spring semester, you will spend 12 weeks in South Africa investigating non-western perspectives on international relations, south-south diplomacy, the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), the politics of the African Union, and African energy diplomacy. From your base in Durban, explore the history of South Africa, the legacy of apartheid, and the country’s colonial past. Excursions will include visits to regional organizations and governance institutions in Johannesburg as well as neighboring areas.

In your final semester, undertake a professional practicum in a location and position of your choosing, working in close consultation with your faculty advisor to ensure alignment with your career goals. You will also research and present a professional capstone paper on a topic of your choosing.

Whether you aspire to work at the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, international NGOs, or other prestigious institutions, SIT prepares you for a career in global, regional, and international affairs. Address some of the world’s most critical issues through our master’s degree in diplomacy and international relations.

Career Paths

Diplomacy and International Relations students who have graduated with this degree have worked in careers such as:

Foreign Service officer

International relations specialist

Foreign affairs analyst

Senior policy specialist

Researcher at NGO or think tank

Program coordinator or manager

International relations officer

Consular officer

Research and policy manager

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Programme Structure

Courses include:

Diplomacy and International Relations

Strategic Foresight and Scenario-Building

International Organizations and Multilateral Diplomacy

The Future of Europe

Practitioner Inquiry

Professional Development Seminar

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-15 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-01-31 00:00:00 , International

More details

Application Deadline for U.S. & Permanent Residents - January 31, Rolling Thereafter Until May 15
International Students - No rolling admission

Language

English

IELTS

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PTE Academic

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Duolingo English Test

130

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Credits

34 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Cape Town, South Africa
Washington, D. C., United States
Belgrade, Serbia

Disciplines

International Relations Political Science View 17 other Masters in Political Science in South Africa

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

US bachelor’s degree or an equivalent that demonstrates academic ability (not applicable for some certificate programs). Applicants from institutions outside the US must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.

Demonstrated English language ability

Intercultural and professional experience

Demonstrated ability to use experience as a source of learning

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at School for International Training and/or in your country of interest, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

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Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

30740 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 15370 USD per semester during 12 months.
National

30740 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 15370 USD per semester during 12 months.
In-State

30740 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 15370 USD per semester during 12 months.

Total MA degree tuition and fees (all terms combined): $46,110

Living costs for Cape Town

9088 - 15529 ZAR /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

https://graduate.sit.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/

This programme is taught in different countries. Which country are you interested in?

Country 1

Serbia
South Africa
United States

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Diplomacy and International Relations.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Career Paths

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Other requirements

General requirements

Student insurance

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fee

International

National

In-State

Living costs for Cape Town

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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