The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy is a four-year degree programme offered by the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU). This programme is designed to equip undergraduates with a detailed, practical understanding of how foreign policy is conceived, formulated and implemented, as well as how the individual or allied foreign policies of countries strive to work in harmony based on shared interests.

The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme aims to provide students with an overview of the various instruments a state may use to pursue its foreign policy in a complex and challenging world order. It takes into consideration the constraints and limits that states face in the international domain, such as the rise and fall of globalization, social and economic rights, and communication technologies which are central to media-based public diplomacy.

What is Diplomacy?

• Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations and communication between states and other actors in the international system. Diplomacy aims to influence the decisions and behavior of others in a peaceful and cooperative manner, and to advance the interests and values of one's own country or organization.

The scope of BA in Diplomacy course is to prepare students for careers in the field of international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy. The course covers various topics, such as the history, theory, and practice of diplomacy, the role of international organizations, the challenges and opportunities of global governance, and the skills and techniques of negotiation and communication.

Students who pursue BA in Diplomacy can work in various sectors and domains, such as government, business, media, education, and non-governmental organizations. They can also opt for higher studies or specialization in international relations or related disciplines, such as law, public policy, economics, or sociology.

BA in Diplomacy is a dynamic and diverse course that can offer students a rewarding and meaningful career in the field of international affairs.

What Makes It Different at JGU?

• The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme from JSIA offers numerous advantages to students interested in international relations and world politics. One of its key benefits is its comprehensive approach to teaching foreign policy and diplomacy, which provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about contemporary global challenges and the role of diplomacy in stabilizing or changing international orders. This programme is therefore ideal for students who aspire to join the foreign services of their country or work in regional and international organizations and private corporations with operations in multiple countries.

• The programme is designed to prepare students for careers as foreign affairs journalists and editors, lawyers, civil society activists, government relations executives in multinational corporations, and many other pathways. By thoroughly studying various aspects of diplomacy, including motives, objectives, methods, and treaty-making, students will gain a full understanding of complex power relations, geopolitics, geo-economics, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, negotiations, armed conflicts, and diplomatic crisis management.

• In addition, this programme offers students the opportunity to develop their linguistic and cultural competencies by studying foreign languages, engaging in cross-cultural exchanges and field trips, and participating in international internships and research projects. Such experiences can help students to broaden their perspectives, deepen their understanding of different cultures, and develop the cross-cultural communication skills necessary to succeed in today's globalized job market.

   

The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy curriculum includes 23 core courses over eight semesters, elective courses from Semester 2 onwards, and an option to undertake a guided research paper or semester abroad pathway from semester 5 onwards. Mandatory internships are also required, and the Office of Career Services supports students in obtaining internships based on merit.

During the first year, the programme focuses on introducing students to foundational concepts and issues of foreign policy. In the second year, students develop skills in diplomatic correspondence and report-writing and move towards specialising in their chosen sub-fields. In the third year, students are deeply immersed in contemporary foreign policy issues and problems, culminating in the requirement to write research papers, essays, and summaries that prepare students for practical skills.

Students must complete a total of 185 credits to earn the B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy degree, with three mandatory industry internships to be completed in any of the first five semesters. Students can opt for a guided research paper or semester abroad pathway from semester 5 onwards and can also undertake an independent research study along with electives in the fourth year

Course Structure

Progression to M.A.DLB

Completing the B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme at JSIA provides students with a range of opportunities to continue their education and enhance their career prospects. One such opportunity is the chance to progress directly to the M.A. DLB programme at JSIA, provided the student has achieved high academic performance during their undergraduate studies. This allows students to build on the skills and knowledge they have acquired and gain further expertise in diplomacy, law, and business.

In addition to the M.A. DLB programme, students can choose to pursue a second M.A. from prestigious universities in the UK and Poland, expanding their educational and professional horizons. JSIA’s Career Director is also available to assist students in finding internships in various organizations, including the United Nations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, think tanks, and diplomatic missions.

1. To be eligible for the B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme at JSIA, candidates must have successfully completed their Class XII examination or equivalent, such as CBSE, State Boards, IB, Cambridge and other Government-recognized school leaving exams.
    
2. The admissions process for this programme is designed to evaluate each application in its unique context. It consists of three rounds, which include submitting a personal statement, answering a supplemental question, providing Class 10 and 12 marks, participating in a faculty interview, and meeting the JSAT/SAT/ACT

Duration- 4 Years

Residential Fees

*The programme fee and residential fee are subject to an annual increase of upto 10%.

1. The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme from JSIA offers a diverse range of career opportunities for its graduates. Students who complete the mandatory guided internships can explore career streams in Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Justice, International Economic Development, Humanitarian Relief, Human Rights Advocacy, Political and Economic Risk Analysis, and many more. A Career Director also assists students in finding suitable internships in various intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental organisations, financial institutions, think tanks, and diplomatic missions.
    
2. JSIA Alumni have gone on to work in various sectors such as news media, consulting/corporate, think tanks/research, embassy/government, INGO & NGO/social venture, and United Nations/international organisations. Some of the major employers of JSIA students/alumni include Amnesty International, Brookings, BBC Monitoring, Carnegie India, Embassy of People’s Republic of China, Greenpeace India, Human Rights Watch, Indian Council of World Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, United Nations Development Programme, and many more. Graduates of JSIA have become versatile international affairs professionals, making a significant impact in the global arena.

1. The B.A. (Hons.) Diplomacy and Foreign Policy programme offers students a range of elective courses from their second semester of study. These interdisciplinary courses involve law and other social sciences and humanities disciplines. In addition to JSIA elective courses, students can also bid for cross electives offered by other schools at JGU.
    
2. Elective courses are categorized into five main clusters: Peace and Conflict Studies, Economics and Foreign Policy, Defence and National Security Studies, Human Rights and International Development, and Global South Studies. Students can specialize in a given concentration by selecting three electives worth 12 credits from one track and will receive a certificate of specialization after graduation.
    
3. Students may take a maximum of 46 credits outside of JSIA if they opt for cross electives. This represents 25% of the minimum credit requirement for graduation (185 credits). Approval from the Dean of the School and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for Undergraduate programmes is required for external JSIA credits exceeding 25%.

1. O.P. Jindal Global University awards Merit cum Means Scholarships (MCM) every year.
    
2. The MCM Scholarship covers the tuition fee only.
    
3. Scholarship applications will be opened by the University by April and will be awarded to eligible students in July.
    
4. The eligibility criteria includes annual family income, Graduation score, entrance examination results and faculty interview score. Weightage will also be given to curricular and non-curricular achievements.
    
5. JGU has established tie-ups with AVANSE (ICICI), Dena Bank, Axis Bank and Credila(HDFC) to facilitate educational loans.

Short Term Study Abroad Progammes:

Students can opt for summer schoola at the University of Oxford, the UK, the Fletcher School at the University of Tufts, the USA, and UN-Geneva Winter School. This opportunity is available to both M.A. and B.A. students.

Semester Exchange:

The student spends a semester at a partner university while paying tuition only at JSIA. JSIA has semester exchange collaborations with some of the top schools in international affairs. These include University of Warsaw, Sciences Po, Comillas Pontifical University, and Sabanci University, among others. This opportunity is available to both M.A. and B.A. students.

Pathway Program: 

JSIA and King;s College Pathway Programme is a demanding, selective option that allows qualified students of BAPS and BAGA Programs an opportunity to earn a M.Sc. Degree in Global Affairs from King’s College London upon completion of their Undergraduate Degree.

Dual Degree:

Graduate student completes one year of the M.A.(DLB) program at JSIA and the second year at a partner University. Undergraduate students opting for a dual degree spend their first two years at JSIA and transfer to our partner university for the last two years. At the end of their time, they earn a degree from both institutions.