The Master of Arts in International Relations & Diplomacy (MIRD) is a Three-legged Middle-ground programme equipping students with critical astuteness, diplomatic negotiation and mediation skills, project management capacity, intercultural behaviors, values and attitudes necessary to provide enabling environment for States to co-exist amicably and international system function effectively. You will be a trained diplomat.
The course therefore places an emphasis on the most necessary competencies that a career diplomat would need to put into practice when deployed in any of the three strands- foreign service, regional organizations and international institutions such as the United Nations.
Admission Criteria
Eligibility for admission to the M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy programme, candidates must satisfy the requirements stipulated below:
a) The minimum requirements applicable to candidates directly out of university and seeking admission into the programme:
▪ Hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division from Riara University or any other university recognized by the Riara University Senate in fields within the social sciences and humanities including but not limited to international relations, international studies, political science, peace and conflict studies, anthropology, military science, sociology, philosophy, communication and journalism studies, development studies, law, theology, business studies (only those with international option), and economics, from a recognized university.
▪ Hold a Bachelor’s degree with Second Class Honours Lower Division from a recognized university with two years of relevant work experience.
▪ A Bachelor’s degree (or such other higher qualification) in any other discipline, plus a minimum of five years relevant work experience in an area(s) related to this programme. Such a qualification(s) must be obtained from an institution recognized by the Commission for University Education and achieved at a minimum of Second-Class Honours, Upper Division.
▪ For candidates who will not have attained a Second-Class Honours in their
undergraduate degree, but will have a relevant ‘Pass” qualification, they should have, in addition, a Postgraduate Diploma, or a minimum of five years of work experience in relevant areas of engagement.
▪ Be fluent in written and spoken English. This should be ascertained through English proficiency certification at high school/secondary school level or any recognized post-secondary language centre.
b) Alternative requirements applicable to candidates seeking admission into the programme:
▪ Diplomats and/ or Military personnel or other professionals, who have undergone training in operational and command courses that cumulatively correspond to undergraduate studies including Grade 2 staff course or Passed staff course “PSC” for officers in the rank of major and above. This also applies to individuals with more than 15 years’ experience working with regional organizations or international institutions seeking admission into the MA programme. However, such individuals will be serving in senior position.
▪ Credit transfers may also apply in accordance with prevailing statutory provisions.