Graduate Programmes

For the 2025 – 2026 academic year, admissions criteria include the following:

• Being a UAE national
• Having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Have a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) or a minimum score of 213 on Computer Based TOEFL (CBT) or a minimum score of 550 pm Paper Based TOEFL or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5

Completed applications are forwarded to AGDA’s admissions committee, which is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications.

Candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the programme by end of June 2025.

The application period for the 2026 - 2027 academic year for all Master's programs is from 13th April 2026 to 17th May 2026.

• To equip students with greater knowledge of global and regional issues, especially as they relate to the UAE.
• To enable students to acquire the ability to think critically about global and regional issues, particularly as they relate to the UAE.
• To develop the students’ ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and research results with the highest professional standards.
• To develop the students’ practical skills needed to become outstanding diplomats.

The MAGAD programme balances between core courses, electives and the MA thesis. Core courses are required courses for all MAGAD students, whereas students can choose the elective courses that they wish to enroll in. The MA Thesis is also required of all MA students. The courses are:

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Thesis Courses

Students enrolled in the MAGAD programme are required to attend evening classes throughout the week (Monday - Thursday), from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on the AGDA campus.

All students in the MAGAD programme are mandated to complete 4 core courses (totaling 12 credits), 4 elective courses (totaling 12 credits), and a Master’s Thesis (totaling 6 credits). Work on the MA thesis commences throughout the academic year with a defense date scheduled in September of the following academic year.

The study plan is summarised below:

Alumni can expect to complete the programme in one academic year by taking one course per semester and defending their thesis.

The PLOs for the MA programme include:

• PLO1

  • Global and Thematic Knowledge: Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will acquire a strong and advanced understanding of current and historical policies, events and practices happening in a region of the world that is central to the national interests of the UAE. They will also be able to understand and use the conceptual tools in comparative politics and will be able to critically evaluate and analyse regional issues related to the study of international relations and foreign policy. Students will also acquire an advanced understanding in a field of study of their choice, in security, development, international organisations, cultural diplomacy and/or economics and trade.

• PLO2

  • Research and Critical Thinking: Upon the successful completion of the programme, students will demonstrate a strong capacity to successfully conduct individual research projects. Students will use advanced research tools, while investigating complex issues related to diplomacy, foreign policy and international relations, by critically examining a range of sources to produce substantive and analytical research papers and theses.

• PLO3

  • Diplomatic Leadership Skills: Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate leadership, managerial and strategic skills, while carrying out their work, and will proudly carry out the mission of UAE foreign policy and diplomacy, during their tenure at the AGDA and beyond, in an ethical, responsible, sensible and tactful manner.

The list of academic faculty who teach in the MAGAD program can be found here. 

The list of research faculty who teach in the MAGAD program can be found here.