Overview
Our Masters course focuses on diplomacy from a gender-inclusive perspective and also introduces you to key concepts and debates in Gender Studies. We collaborate with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to deliver this course.
You’ll learn about global gender identities and their importance in diplomacy. You will reflect upon how to create gender-inclusive environments when dealing with international conflicts and will think about the importance of creating inclusive environments.
You’ll have the chance to apply your knowledge at the United Nations. You can also enhance your employability by submitting a digital project instead of a traditional dissertation. This project might involve designing online campaigns on digital platforms to support charities and state institutions, aiming to address gender inequalities.
Top reasons to study with us
Work placements
In the Spring semester, students with a strong enough profile will be supported to apply for UN internships. These may include internships at the International Court of Justice, IRMCT, the UN Joint Inspection Unit, UNESCO, UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP and others. These internships are generally unpaid.
Entry onto the course does not guarantee entry onto the UN internship module. There is a limited number of places on this module, so students for this module need to go through a further selective application and possible interview process during the course. Students who do not gain entry to the UN internship module are supported to undertake an academic or practice-based dissertation.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate, or the Postgraduate Diploma, please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
You’ll learn about diplomacy and gender studies. We’ll explore different ways to understand and practice diplomacy, along with examining gender from various angles (including media, film, history, literature, and sociology). Specifically, we’ll delve into key debates related to gender and global gender identities.
During the course, you’ll participate in seminars and complete various assessments. Plus, there’s an exciting opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-world settings at the United Nations through our Research Placement module. And if you’re more digitally inclined, you can even submit a Digital Project instead of a traditional Dissertation to boost your employability.
Modules
Compulsory modules for full time course
| Training for Masters in the Arts and Humanities 1 (ARTP001) | 20 credits |
| Key Concepts and Debates: Gender and Diplomatic Practice (GNDPP05) | 20 credits |
| Diplomacy and Gender Inclusion in Practice (GNDPP07) | 20 credits |
| Gender and Diplomatic Practice Dissertation (GNDPPDD) | 60 credits |
Compulsory modules for part time course
| Training for Masters in the Arts and Humanities 1 (ARTP001) | 20 credits |
| Key Concepts and Debates: Gender and Diplomatic Practice (GNDPP05) | 20 credits |
| Diplomacy and Gender Inclusion in Practice (GNDPP07) | 20 credits |
| Gender and Diplomatic Practice Dissertation (GNDPPDD) | 60 credits |
Course Details
Teaching
The Gender and Diplomatic Practice course at the University of Stirling invites experts from UNITAR to teach alongside their staff. You’ll explore diplomacy through seminars, discussions, and practical activities. You may also be able to visit the United Nations in Geneva for hands-on learning. The course emphasises independent study and offers personalised feedback sessions with lecturers.
Fieldwork
Some examples of field trips include (indicative list subject to regular review):
- United Nations headquarters in Geneva
- Research placement at the United Nations
Assessment
Assessments vary and may include learning logs, critical reviews, presentations (individual and group), reflective essays, literature reviews, research projects, and academic essays. The assessments are designed to enable students to develop a range of academic and transferable skills and to provide multiple opportunities for feedback and development. Feedback and Guidance sessions with teaching staff are available in all modules. You will also have the opportunity to submit a Dissertation, a Digital Project, or a Policy Paper at the end of the course.
Course director
Key staff
Dr Jacky Collins’ research engages with genders and sexualities in Spanish written and visual cultures and she has a particular interest in detective fiction.
Dr Darren Elliott-Smith specialises in film and television, gender studies/queer theory and has significant research interests in the Gothic and Horror.
Dr Eamon McCarthy’s research explores genders and sexualities across the Spanish-speaking world, with a particular focus on Argentina.
Dr Fiona Noble is an interdisciplinary researcher of contemporary Spanish cinema and audiovisual cultures interested in questions of identity and representation.
Dr Nikolaos Papadogiannis’ research focuses on Europe in the 1960s and 1970s from a transnational perspective, including protest cultures, travel, youth lifestyles, gender, sexuality, migration, emotions and European identities.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | N/A | £9,500 |
| International (including EU) students | N/A | £20,600 |
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
The focus of the course on employability through the collaboration with UNITAR will make students well-positioned to find a job in a prestigious diplomatic body or an NGO. Those students who engage with the Digital Project in lieu of the Dissertation will be able to design online campaigns for charities and state institutions targeting gender hierarchies.
Employability skills
We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at university and develop the graduate attributes required by employers. We have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer. There's also our Careers Service who work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
