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B.A (Hons.) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Program Details
What is BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy?
It is an undergraduate programme focused on international relations, geopolitics, diplomacy, and global governance, preparing students for careers in foreign policy, international organisations, and public policy.
A four-year BA (Hons.) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy is a globally aligned undergraduate programme that provides a strong conceptual and empirical foundation in International Relations, geopolitics, and the multilateral world order. Amid evolving global conflicts, alliances, and regional dynamics, the programme equips students to interpret international developments and understand how states engage in global negotiations and diplomacy.
The BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy integrates perspectives from Political Science, International Relations, international law, climate studies, and global governance, helping students analyse the political, economic, and strategic dimensions of global affairs. The curriculum explores India’s foreign policy, international security, diplomacy, global political economy, and international organisations, offering an empirically grounded understanding of global realpolitik. The programme also builds foundational understanding of governance and public administration systems, relevant for students exploring policy and government careers.
Program Highlights
- Global and Transdisciplinary curriculum: The program is built around a global curriculum offering a wide range of training to students from various disciplinary perspectives, equipping students with both depth and breadth of conceptual understanding to grasp the intricacies of International Relations.
- Global Faculty: Learning from faculty holding PhDs from prestigious universities in India and abroad, ensuring curated mentoring throughout the undergraduate journey.
- Experiential Learning and Empirically Driven Coursework Pedagogy employed in this program extends beyond the classroom to link theories with ground realities and includes field visits, case discussions, co-curricular exercises, and real-world simulations.
- Expert-driven academic inputs: Diplomats, foreign policy experts and practitioners are invited to deliver masterclasses on contemporary subjects, providing students with firsthand knowledge of how foreign policy and diplomacy operate in the real world.
- Global Pathways: Active collaborations with well-known universities worldwide enable students to explore international pathways through immersion programs, exchange opportunities, and degree progression for higher education.
- Career Skills Students will develop: analytical skills, the ability to interpret and analyze data, understand international negotiations, international relations, states' behaviour, and global politics—skills that will serve them well beyond university.
Industry and Future Scope
Students explore diverse career pathways across diplomacy, global policy, governance, and international affairs. The programme prepares graduates for roles in:
- Foreign policy research organisations
- International development institutions
- International financial institutions
- Transnational NGOs
- Global think tanks
- Policy consulting firms
- Climate diplomacy and sustainability organisations
The programme also provides a strong foundation for careers in governance and public administration, particularly in policy, civil services, and institutional roles.
Career Opportunities
The programme builds strong theoretical, analytical, and research capabilities, enabling students to pursue careers in diplomacy, foreign policy, governance, and international affairs. Graduates can explore pathways such as:
- Civil Services and Public Policy
- Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs
- Think Tanks and Policy Research
- Corporate Strategy and Consulting
- International Organisations
- Higher education and research
Placements
The BA (Hons.) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at UPES supports placement and career readiness by developing strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Students gain a deep understanding of geopolitics, international relations, and policy frameworks.
Through industry collaborations, academic partnerships, and experiential learning, graduates are prepared for roles in diplomacy, policy research, consulting, and international organisations and governance-related domains.
Fee Structure
Click here for detailed Fee Structure.
Curriculum
Semester 1
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data in Social Sciences and Humanities | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Ideas of India | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Gender and Society | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Environmental Studies | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Managing Self | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Politics in India | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Research Methods I (Qualitative) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 21 |
Semester 2
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Political Economy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Introduction to International Relations | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Understanding Politics through Case Experiments | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Time & Priority Management | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 14 |
Semester 3
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Political Economy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| History of the Modern World – Imperialism, Between the Wars and Globalization | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Global Politics and India’s Foreign Policy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| International Negotiation and Mediation | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Communication Skills (Oral) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Social Internship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exploratory 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Exploratory 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Elective (Choose Any One) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
Elective Options (Choose Any One)
- Public Policies, Governance, and Institutions
- Indian Political Thought
- Peace and Conflict
Semester 4
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic Negotiation, Mediation & Crisis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Comparative Political Systems | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Global Statecraft and Diplomacy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Foreign Policy Analysis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Communication Skills (Written) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Exploratory 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Exploratory 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Elective (Choose Any One) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
Elective Options (Choose Any One)
- Citizenship and Human Rights
- Discourses on Justice
- Political Theory
- Digital Politics
Semester 5
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India’s Strategic Culture | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Power Dynamics in International Relations: Exploring India-Russia-China-US Relations | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Politics of Climate Change through IR Prism | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Foreign Policy and the Neighbourhood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Working with People | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Technologies of the Future | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Exploratory 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Exploratory 6* (Optional) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3* |
| Elective (Choose Any One) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 22 |
Elective Options (Choose Any One)
- Politics, Technology and Surveillance
- The Economical Truth: Politics of Information and Disinformation
- Applied IR and Geopolitics
Semester 6
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic Practice and Protocol | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Transnational Networks and International Relations | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Diplomatic & Foreign Policy Simulation Lab – Model UN, Foreign Policy Talks and Negotiations, Bi-lateral Multi-lateral Talks | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Research Methods II (Quantitative) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Deepening Self | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Elective (Choose Any One) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Exploratory 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Exploratory 8* (Optional) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3* |
| TOTAL | 20 |
Elective Options (Choose Any One)
- Gender and Politics
- International Security
- Information and Emerging Technologies
- Politics and Sports
Semester 7
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry Fellowship and Capstone Project | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| TOTAL | 20 |
Semester 8
| Course | L | T | P | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone Research Dissertation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| TOTAL | 20 |
Eligibility
Interested students must meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the BA (Hons.) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme:
- Minimum 50% marks in Class X and XII (any stream)
Selection Criteria
Selection for admission to the BA (Hons.) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme at UPES is based on CUET-UG / Personal Interview.
Further Information
Enquiry Form
Frequently Asked Questions
BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy is a four-year undergraduate program designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of international relations, geopolitics, diplomacy, international law, and global governance. Students who have completed their 10+2 education from a recognized board meet the BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy eligibility criteria for admission.
Diplomacy and foreign policy can be understood as two sides of the same coin. While foreign policy determines a country’s strategic goals, ambitions, and relationships with other countries, including strategic partnerships, trade agreements, and cultural ties; diplomacy refers to the process through which these goals are achieved. Through diplomatic channels, countries communicate, propose ideas, and negotiate terms for specific engagements.
Yes, International Relations and Geopolitics is an essential part of BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy syllabus. The subject covers topics such as International Political Economy, History of Modern World, Global Politics, Global Statecraft and Diplomacy, etc.
Yes, BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy syllabus at UPES includes International Law and Global Governance concepts and topics. As per the syllabus the BA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, it includes topics such as Diplomatic Negotiation, Mediation & Crisis, Foreign Policy Analysis, Global Politics and India’s Foreign Policy, Global Statecraft and Diplomacy, etc.
The BA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy program is standard 3-year duration. Students may opt for an additional 4th year to pursue the Honours/Research track, subject to eligibility criteria. The first year focuses on building a foundational understanding of social sciences, while the second- and third years cover core diplomacy and geopolitical subjects. Finally, the fourth-year curriculum is designed to provide students with hands-on experience through fellowships and practical exposure.
BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy career pathways extend across various domains, including international organizations such as the United Nations, WHO, World Bank, SAARC, BRICS, and more. Furthermore, students pursuing BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy program can also build careers in public services and social work. Some of the top jobs after graduation include public services officer, social worker, policy analyst, diplomat, etc.
Following the completion of B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy degree, students can pursue a career in think tanks as a foreign policy researcher. Generally, government or NGO run think tanks hire interns and require an excellent academic background, specialized regional or thematic knowledge, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable policy advice for busy lawmakers.
BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy syllabus is designed to offer a highly practical learning approach via research work, mandatory fellowships, and capstone research methods. Curriculum also includes subjects such as Understanding Politics through Case Experiments, Time & Priority Management, Communication Skills, Social Internship, Foreign Policy Analysis, and Technologies of Future to help students gain relevant practical and life skills.
Yes, after graduating with BA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy degree you can pursue a career among international organizations through master’s pathway programs, diplomatic service exams, international internships, and global dual-degree courses. BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy career pathways expand across international organizations such as UN, BRICS, Spokesperson, Foreign Policy Analyst, and International Security Officer.
Yes, BA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy are extremely relevant for students preparing for Civil Services. The BA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy syllabus features important topics that are asked by UPSC as well including history of modern world, international security, international relations, political history, etc.
