Diplomatic Theory and Practice online course

Start date: 4 May 2026

Why do we need diplomats?

Diplomats are members of a profession developed over many centuries. But why do we still need them in a world transformed by electronic communications? The short answer is that diplomats serve as buffers between rulers driven by domestic insecurities or ideology – or both – that dispose them to take dangerous risks abroad, to the peril of us all. Only diplomacy offers hope when the clouds are at their darkest.

The materials for this course were developed by Prof. GR Berridge, based on his Diplomacy: Theory and Practice, now in its 6th edition, and after Kissinger’s book, the most cited general work on diplomacy on Google Scholar’s diplomacy page. Prof. Berridge is Emeritus Professor of International Politics at the University of Leicester and a DiploFoundation Senior Fellow; read more, including his current blog postings, on his website.

Reviews

Diplomatic Theory and Practice

Text – Diego Brasioli

Diplo alumnus Diego BrasioliThe course contents were very interesting, combining in a successful way the theoretical aspects of diplomacy with concrete examples drawn from the history and practice of international relations. The list of suggested readings is comprehensive if you need to deepen your knowledge of the subject, but what makes the course very successful is the interactive fashion in which it is carried out, with effective and prompt guidance from the teachers and instructors. The learning platform is quite intuitive and practical to use, enhancing the possibility of real dialogue among all the participants. I believe that this course is very useful not only to those interested in joining a diplomatic career but also for professionals in the field, giving them the opportunity to fine-tune their experience and knowledge of the subject.

– Amb. Diego Brasioli, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy

Text – Elizabeth Lisa Louis

 Head, Person, Face, Adult, Female, Woman, Photography, Portrait, Body Part, Neck, Happy, Smile, Hair, Michelle ChongThe course strongly re-emphasises that mature and professional diplomacy is essential to managing and maintaining good relations between states. The learning methodology is practical and effective. The knowledge I acquired through the sharing of information and experiences among course participants and the esteemed course lecturer is invaluable and shall be utilised in the execution of my job responsibilities.

– Ms Elizabeth Lisa Louis, National Coordinator, CARIFORUM-EU and CARIFORUM-UK; Samoa Agreement Agency; Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Cvivl Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, Saint Lucia

Text – Diego García Doval

Diego Garcia Doval alumni reviewsThe course is an insightful and critical introduction to the main past and present aspects of diplomacy. The continuous interaction with participants from all over the world and the devoted lecturers and Diplo staff, make you forget it’s an online course. I definitely recommend it to newcomers to diplomacy like me.

– Mr Diego García Doval, Secretary General, Carral Town Council, Spain

Text – Badriyya Yusuf

Badriyya Yusuf alumni reviewsThis course provided me with an avenue to share knowledge on diplomacy and analysis on current international relations events. I realised that I really missed the interactive and stimulating discussions of my class when new developments in the planned US–North Korea summit arose, and I was eager to share my thoughts. As a lecturer of diplomacy, the course is significantly helping me in my quest of shaping the future generation of Nigerian diplomats.

– Ms Badriyya Yusuf, Assistant Lecturer, Department of History and International Studies, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria

Text – Alejandro Lozano

Alejandro Lozano alumni reviews

The course has been a wonderful surprise. The main lecture was enormously useful for my academic and personal knowledge about diplomacy. What I liked the most was that I got the great opportunity to learn from all my course mates’ own ‘diplomatic’ experiences. I am truly thankful to the course coordinators for their patience during the course. A really challenging course and worth every single day!

– Mr Alejandro Lozano, Commissioner of Political and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Mexico, Vatican City (Holy See)

Text – Kathleen Nina Tupou

Kathleen Nina Tupou alumni reviewsThis course is truly a MUST for any newcomer or professional diplomat who is in need of polishing or refreshing their knowledge about the basics of diplomacy in the modern world. It was very beneficial because it gave me the opportunity to apply theory to practice by exploring how the different aspects of diplomacy are practiced on a daily basis, and learning to recognise those theories at first glance. It is indeed one of the most insightful, dynamic, and interactive courses I have ever taken, a real eye-opener.

– Ms Kathleen Nina Tupou, Assistant Secretary, Palace Office, Tonga

Overview

The course consists of 8 modules:

  • The Diplomatic Moment: diplomacy: a specialised activity; the diplomatic moment: the conditions that encourage diplomacy; diplomatic systems and diplomatic styles; the world diplomatic system in outline.
  • Negotiations: pre-negotiations, formula, and details stages; the objectives sought in each and the difficulties peculiar to them; techniques for securing agreement, for example 'linkage'.
  • Diplomatic Momentum: how the momentum of negotiation can be maintained and, if lost, regained; deadlines, metaphors of movement, publicity, and raising the level of the talks; packaging agreements and following up.
  • Telecommunications: forms, uses, and limitations of telecommunication in diplomacy, including particular reference to telephone diplomacy in crises (including “hot lines”) and video-conferencing.
  • Bilateral Diplomacy: embassies, consular posts, and unconventional resident missions such as interests sections and representative offices; why they are the major part of the modern counter-revolution in diplomatic practice.
  • Multilateral Diplomacy: ad hoc and standing conferences; questions of procedure: venue, membership, agenda, transparency, and above all decision-making; the triumph of 'consensus-decision making' and its various techniques, for example, NATO’s silence procedure.
  • Mediation: good offices, conciliation, and mediation; the motives of mediators (track one and track two); multi-party mediation; is there an 'ideal' mediator? The ripe moment and whether there is such a thing as a premature mediation.
  • Summitry: the diplomatist's bane; the case for the defence; serial summits, ad hoc summits (including funeral diplomacy), the high-level exchange of views; secrets of summit success.

Course lecturers

 Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Indoors, Adult, Male, Man, Accessories, Glasses, Clothing, Coat

Asoke Mukerji

Former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, New York

How will you learn?

In this course, you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.

How long will you learn?

The course lasts for 10 weeks:

  • 1 week of course introduction and orientation to online learning
  • 8 weeks of addressing the course topics one by one (see below for more details)
  • 1 week for the final assignment and completing pending tasks

Who should apply

This course will be of interest to:

  • Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations
  • Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats
  • Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy
  • Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people, and others who wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics

Need more info:

DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)

Anutruf, Ground Floor, Hriereb Street
Msida, MSD 1675, Malta

+356 21 333 323; admissions@diplomacy.edu

Methodology

The Diplomatic Theory and Practice online course is based on a collaborative learning approach, involving a high level of interaction over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and the necessary tools for online interaction are provided in a virtual classroom.

Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 to 7 hours of study time per week.

Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate issued by Diplo, which can be printed or shared electronically.

Prerequisites

All course applicants must have regular internet access (broadband is preferred). 

Applicants for certificate courses must have:

  • An undergraduate university degree OR 3 years of work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations
  • Sufficient English language skills to undertake postgraduate-level studies

Fees and scholarships

The fee for this course is €690

Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries. Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. 

You can apply for this course as:

How to apply

Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.

Applying for financial assistance? Please indicate this on the application form, upload your CV, and a motivation statement that should include:

  • Details of your relevant professional and educational background
  • Reasons for your interest in the course
  • Why do you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course? How will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

Please note that financial assistance from Diplo is available only to applicants from developing countries! 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Cancellation policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.



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