The English-taught MA in Diplomacy and Global Governance based in Brussels (Belgium) provides students and professionals with comprehensive knowledge and policy-oriented skills at the intersection of diplomacy and global governance. This diplomatic studies Master degree is available both as a 90 ECTS (12 months) and as a 120 ECTS (15 months) programme. 

Both diplomacy and global governance are important institutions of the international order, but they are also the institutions undergoing permanent processes of change in the modern and at times turbulent world. No institution has undergone greater change in both our theoretical understanding of it and the nature of its day-to-day practice in the last several decades than diplomacy.  No process has become more important than our ability, or often lack of it, to engage on transnational policy making by international collective action problem solving while at the same time becoming so highly contested and politicised. We face a permanent challenge to govern ourselves beyond the territory of the nation state, and hence face the importance of understanding the expectations and limits of global governance and diplomatic skills.

With its strong links to the policy-making world and university/think tank partners in Brussels, wider Europe, US and Asia, this MA programme offers students a truly global exchange between theory and practice.

By bringing together key practitioners with scholars from these fields, graduates of this programme will be equipped to extract insights and advantages of the various perspectives and approaches at this turning point in the history of diplomacy and global governance.

This MA programme is designed and taught by a network of leading international academics from top universities and think tanks as well as senior policy-makers from international organisations. In the latter category, our teaching staff currently includes the following prominent professors:

  • Dr Antonio Missiroli – Former Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO and former Director of the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)
  • Dr Jamie Shea – former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO
  • Dr Michael Reiterer – Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea
  • Dr Giovanni Grevi – Former Director of Fride and senior analyst at EPC

It provides both theoretical foundations and practical skill-sets for students interested in international careers in diplomacy, government, international relations, international organisations, think tanks and NGOs.

Our School also offers a similar Master programme focusing on Global Security and Strategy.

The Brussels School of Governance is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Vesalius College. This MA in Diplomacy and Global Governance is a programme of which the degree will be awarded by Vesalius College.

The BSoG's MA in Diplomacy and Global Governance was genuinely transformative. Under the guidance of dedicated professors, my academic and analytical skills greatly improved; engaging firsthand with institutions like EEAS, GMF, and NATO further enriched my experience. An internship highlight was co-authoring an upcoming International Affairs article with a distinguished professor. Now, I step forward well-prepared and confident."

Student smiling in camera
Samat Nerry
MA alumna

Key features

  • Organised in cooperation with the Royal Military Academy
  • Strong link between theory and actual practice
  • Limited class size ensures high interaction and close contacts among students and with the professors
  • Internship placement in international organisations, think tanks and NGOs
  • Intensive skills training and policy workshops, e.g. during a Capstone course that exposes students to real-life issues and challenges of policymakers and practitioners; during several simulations students participate in (SUNY model EU, Model NATO, Model UN MEDMUN)
  • Strong link to the policy-maker scene in Brussels
  • Accredited by the Flemish educational authorities (NVAO)
  • Unique educational experience based on the STEP approach to teaching and learning
  • Supported by the extensive expertise of our Office for Teaching, Learning and Innovation to accommodate sophisticated blended teaching methods
The College (BSoG) benefits from a strong network of adjunct professors and has strong ties with other organisations in Brussels. The advantage (...) is the Brussels based location in the centre of Europe and in the middle of the European institutions which brings the student in close contact with the reality of policy-making from the perspective of the professional field. The students were very positive about the internship, the networking and career opportunities and teachers from the professional field. This allows the students to play an active role in the international policy making community during their studies.
Audit report of our MA programmes by independent panel of experts of VLUHR QA (Flemish Universities and Colleges Council Quality Assurance), May 2021
VLUHR quality assurance