Master of Arts in Global Digital Policy and Diplomacy
Technology is now a primary axis of international negotiation, and African delegations are routinely asked to take positions on data flows, standards, export controls and artificial intelligence norms with little institutional preparation. ...
Employment thesis
What this programme is designed to produce
Forward publishes the destination of every programme before you enrol. If the thesis stops holding, the programme is reviewed and, where necessary, retired. Next review: 2031.
Roles
- Technology diplomat
- trade and standards negotiator
- international policy adviser
- multilateral programme officer
- corporate international affairs lead
- think tank researcher.
Employer types
- Foreign and trade ministries
- the African Union and regional secretariats
- the United Nations system and standards bodies
- international organisations
- technology companies' international policy functions
- and research institutes.
Target outcomes we hold ourselves to
- Senior advancement for serving officials and entry to multilateral technology policy roles.
Compulsory · The Forward Core
How the Core works →Every Forward programme, including this one, carries the same five cross-cutting requirements. They are graded, not optional.
- AI Fluency
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Ethics and African Context
- Human-Advantage Skills
- Enterprise
Includes 12 months paid work-integrated learning
Am I eligible?
Check yourself against the published requirements
7 questions written specifically for Master of Arts in Global Digital Policy and Diplomacy. Every answer is checked against a requirement Forward has published, and the result tells you which page that requirement comes from. Indicative only, the admissions office decides on your full file.
What is the highest qualification you hold?
Curriculum structure
The same degree, in both pathways
Every Forward programme is published in both pathways: Path One, the term plan of two six-month terms, and Path Two, the block sequence of twelve four-week blocks. Same competencies, same assessments, same award. Toggle to see this programme in each.
Path One term plan shown
Path One · The Term Model
| Code | Course | CU | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDC 501 | Applied Intelligence for Professionals Both | 4 | 2-2-0 |
| FDC 502 | Research Evidence and Method Both | 4 | 2-2-0 |
| GLA 510 | Global Technology Governance and Institutions Both | 6 | 4-2-2 |
| GLA 511 | Technical Foundations for Policy Negotiators Performance | 5 | 2-2-4 |
| GLA 512 | International Trade, Data Flows and Digital Provisions Both | 6 | 4-2-2 |
| GLA 513 | Negotiation Strategy and Practice Performance | 5 | 1-0-8 |
| Code | Course | CU | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDC 503 | Governance, Ethics and Leadership of Intelligent Systems Both | 4 | 2-2-0 |
| GLA 520 | Cyber Norms, Security and Statecraft Both | 5 | 3-2-2 |
| GLA 521 | Standards, Export Controls and Technology Sovereignty Both | 5 | 3-2-2 |
| GLA 522 | African Positions and Continental Coordination Both | 5 | 3-2-2 |
| GLA 523 | Advanced Elective Objective | 4 | 3-2-0 |
| Code | Course | CU | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLA 530 | Dissertation: Negotiation File or Policy Research Commission Performance | 15 | 0-2-28 |
| GLA 531 | Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy Performance | 4 | 1-0-6 |
Total credit units: 72
Curriculum source
Forward University Curriculum Compendium
Assessment
Coursework + project + integrated exam
Work-integrated learning
12 months paid co-operative education
Your week at Forward
A typical week on Master of Arts in Global Digital Policy and Diplomacy
Path One, the Term Model: your own pace across a six-month term, one live session a week, short flexible lessons, and assessment on demand.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Curriculum explorer
Drill into the degree, step by step
Choose a study path, then a year, then a term or block, then a course. Credit totals add up as you go, and every course shows what comes before it and what it unlocks.
Step 1, choose a year
Step 2, choose a term
TERM 1 (SIX MONTHS) | FORMERLY SEMESTER 1
Year 1 · this step is worth 30 CU
Cumulative
30
Programme total
60
30 CU of 60 CU completed by the end of this step (50%)
Step 3, choose a course
Pick a course to see the detail
Credits, assessment, prerequisites and what each course unlocks later.
The twelve Forward capabilities
What this programme develops in you
Every Forward degree develops the same twelve cross-cutting capabilities. The profile below is the level this programme is designed to develop and verify by graduation, on the four-level scale in Part B2 of the Curriculum Compendium. Every claim above Level 2 is verified by someone other than the teaching lecturer.
- C1Intelligent Systems FluencyLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C2Quantitative and Evidential ReasoningLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C3Ethical and Contextual Judgement CriticalLevel 3 of 4, Independent
- C4Communication and Persuasion CriticalLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C5Disciplinary MasteryLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C6Technical Production and CraftLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C7Problem Framing and Systems Thinking CriticalLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C8Collaboration and Multidisciplinary TeamingLevel 3 of 4, Independent
- C9Enterprise, Value and Commercial LiteracyLevel 3 of 4, Independent
- C10Professional Conduct and Workplace PerformanceLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C11Learning to Learn and Adaptive CapacityLevel 4 of 4, Leading
- C12Stewardship and Public Contribution CriticalLevel 3 of 4, Independent
Critical capabilities for this programme: Ethical and Contextual Judgement · Communication and Persuasion · Problem Framing and Systems Thinking · Stewardship and Public Contribution. A graduate cannot pass out of this programme below the stated level on any capability marked critical.
Programme Learning Outcomes
What you will be able to do
Each outcome is assessed, and each is tagged with the Forward capabilities it is verified against.
- PLO 1Analyse the international governance landscape for technology and data.
- PLO 2Prepare and execute negotiation strategy on technical policy files.
- PLO 3Explain the technical substance underlying contested international provisions.
- PLO 4Assess the development and sovereignty implications of international technology rules.
- PLO 5Produce policy research and briefs to authoritative standard.
Why this programme exists
Technology is now a primary axis of international negotiation, and African delegations are routinely asked to take positions on data flows, standards, export controls and artificial intelligence norms with little institutional preparation. ...
Admission requirements
A Bachelor's degree of at least Second Class Lower Division in any discipline; professional experience in government, international organisations or policy is an advantage. Alternative pathways: Foundation Year, diploma entry with advanced standing, mature age entry and recognition of prior learning, all governed by Part A5 and Part G. Online applicants additionally complete the compulsory Digital Readiness orientation under Part D6.
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