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Corso di Alta Formazione | A.A. 2026-2027

Master in Advanced Public and Cultural Diplomacy for International Relations - MAPCD

VIII edition

Start: October 2026

 

 

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Language Inglese
Location Roma
Duration 1 Anno
Delivery Mode In presenza
Frequency Full time
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Overview

The First Level Specialising Master in Advanced Public and Cultural Diplomacy for International Relations (MAPCD) is the first at European level to combine four different areas of study: Public Diplomacy and International Relations; Cultural Diplomacy for the Global Reputation of Countries and Cities and as an effective tool in conflict zones; Global communication for the involvement of international audiences; Business Diplomacy.

 

The aim of the Master is to train qualified professionals with multidisciplinary skills who act in complex international scenarios and are above all "Citizens of the World" with a vision of the future, who are committed to creating bridges of dialogue between cultures and becoming "A Force for Good in the world". 

The First Level Specialising Master in Advanced Public and Cultural Diplomacy for International Relations welcomes students with a background in International Relations, Economics, Law, and Humanities, who have a strong interest in international political and cultural dynamics and wish to study in a global context with talented colleagues and faculty from all over the world. Professional or semi-professional experience in cultural or diplomatic institutions is considered positive.

 

The maximum number of students admitted is limited to 25 to ensure direct interaction with the teachers.

FIVE REASONS TO CHOOSE THE MAPCD

  • An innovative, multidisciplinary and global path, which trains Citizens of the World who can operate globally for the construction of bridges of dialogue between cultures;
  • An international Faculty of excellence of academics and professionals, leading experts in Public and Cultural Diplomacy, from universities and international institutions;
  • In-depth skills and knowledge of Public and Cultural Diplomacy practices, combined with an in-depth study of the contemporary international reality;
  • A training course in the field, with visits to Ministries, Embassies, International Cultural Institutes, International Organizations, large Companies, Museums, Historical and artistic sites;
  • An internship experience of at least 3 months in Italy or abroad to experience, in a real work environment, what has been learned during the Master's course.
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Program

The programme is divided into teaching modules, each of which includes classroom lectures with an international Faculty as well as field visits to Embassies, International Institutions, large Companies, Museums and artistic and historical sites.

 

Each module concludes with a practical exercise, individual or group, which aims to assess the knowledge acquired.

The first module, "Global Issues in International Relations", offers students from different academic backgrounds an articulated overview of the major political, economic and social issues, and the impact of the energy transition on geopolitics.

 

In the second module, "Public and Cultural Diplomacy", students acquire an in-depth knowledge of Public Diplomacy and the challenges posed by the global scenario to contemporary Diplomacy. Actors and types of Cultural Diplomacy in different areas of the world are presented in a wide spectrum of cases. The topics: Creation of Nation Branding and Strategic Narratives, how to build Reputational Value and new Narratives for Countries and Cities, are entrusted to expert international teachers.

 

The strategic use of digital communication in the new Public Diplomacy is at the heart of the teachings of the third module, "Digital and Global Communication".

 

The growing relevance of large international companies in the global scenario is presented in the fourth module dedicated to "Business Diplomacy" through concrete examples and group exercises, with lectures and testimonies of real protagonists of the case studies.

 

In addition to the teaching modules, there are numerous workshops for the development of soft skills. In fact, the MAPCD places great emphasis on the training of transversal skills such as project management, communication skills, team building and problem solving.

 

At the end of the Master, an interdisciplinary Final Project Work is assigned aimed at analyzing topics related to the areas covered during the Master.

 

The Master includes a Curricular Internship of at least three months in Italy or abroad, hosted by Ministries, Institutions, International Organizations, Foundations and Companies whose mission and activities are in line with the Master's program. The internship, identified by the Master's Team in dialogue with each student, offers a valuable opportunity to test oneself and strengthen the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of study.

 

 

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      · Multidisciplinary skills: professional knowledge in the field of International Relations, Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Digital and Business Diplomacy.

 

       · Strategic thinking: the ability to support the definition and development of strategies for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, with a focus on Reputational Security, Nation Branding and Strategic Narratives.

 

       · Intercultural management: ability to manage and operate effectively in multicultural environments and navigate complex global contexts.

 

       · Analytical skills: ability to analyze and understand the international contexts in which one operates as well as the cultural differences that affect negotiations.

 

       · Practical skills: ability to  project manage and act in real work situations and in multicultural environments. 

October 2025 – April 2026: Lectures, Workshops and Field Visits

 

May 2026 – August 2026: Curricular Internship

 

September 2026 - Project Work

 

October 2026 – Graduation

 

Career Opportunities

Students who have completed the First Level Specialising Master in Advanced Public and Cultural Diplomacy for International Relations are now working in various countries within various institutions and organizations, including:

 

      · Ministries of Foreign Affairs

      · Ministries of Cultural Heritage

      · International Organizations and Foundations

      · Multinational companies

      · Think Tanks and Research Institutes in Europe

      · Global Consulting Firms

      · NGO

International institutions

  • ECFR – European Council on Foreign Relations
  • European Commission – Representation in Italy
  • NATO Defence College
  • UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
  • UNIDROIT - International Institute for the Unification of Private Law
  • UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization
  • FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization
  • WIIS - Women in International Security
  • UCLG – United Cities and Local Governments
  • Consulate of the United States in Italy
  • Embassy of Gambia in Spain
  • Embassy of Iraq in Italy
  • The British Council

 

Cultural Institutions

  • Palazzo Barberini
  • MUCIV - Museum of Civilizations
  • National Roman Museum
  • Altemps Palace
  • Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
  • ICCROM - International Centre for Studies on the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
  • Uffizi Galleries
  • Festival of Diplomacy
  • International Private Committees for the Safeguard of Venice

 

Italian institutions

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
  • Ministry of Culture
  • Municipality of Rome
  • University for Foreigners of Perugia

 

Companies and Consulting Firms

  • ENI
  • ENEL
  • Intesa Sanpaolo
  • Cassa Depositi e Prestiti
  • RAI
  • Edelman
  • FutureBrand
  • Lord Cultural Resources

 

Trade associations

  • Federation of the Maritime System
  • AGIS – Italian Entertainment Agency
  • Confimprese

 

Foundations

  • Res4Africa Foundation
  • Santagata Foundation
  • Opera for Peace Foundation
  • Fondazione Cinema per Roma
  • Venice Sustainability World Capital Foundation
  • Stauffer Foundation
  • Kessler Foundation

 

Think Tanks

  • IAI - International Affairs Institute
  • ISPI – Institute for International Political Studies

A network of institutions and companies actively support the aims of the Master and the opportunities to facilitate the study and employment of our students.

 

In particular:

 

  • Intesa Sanpaolo
  • ENI
  • Edelman
  • Res4Africa Foundation
  • Sant'Agata Foundation
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
  • Ministry of Culture
  • UNIDO
  • AACUPI- Association of American College and University Programs in Italy
Academic Management and Organisational Structure

Scientific Direction

 

Prof. Damiano PALANO,  Director of ASERI, Full Professor of Political Philosophy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Prof. Federica OLIVARES, Founder and Director of the First Level Specialising Master in Advanced Public and Cultural Diplomacy for International Relations; Director of the International Programme in Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Special Advisor for EU Public Diplomacy and International Cultural Relations to EEAS, Brussels

 

Didactic coordination

Maurizia GARZIA, Programme Assistant for the First Level Specialising Master in Advanced Public and Cultural Diplomacy for International Relations, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

 

Some of the International Lecturers of the Master:

 

Corneliu BJOLA – Director of the Digital Diplomacy Research Group, Oxford University, UK.

Nicholas J. CULL – Professor of Public Diplomacy, University of Southern California's (USC), Los Angeles, USA.

Gerald GIAQUINTA- Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California (USC), Marshall School of Business.

Javier JIMENEZ – Director, Lord Cultural Resources, Madrid.

Gail Dexter LORD- President and Co-founder, Lord Cultural Resources.

Hendrik W. OHNESORGE- Managing Director, Center for Global Studies, University of Bonn, Germany.

Simon ROFE – Associate Professor in Diplomatic and International Studies, School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds. 

Registration and useful info

Applications can be submitted on the admissions portal

  • Deadline for Italian students
  • Deadline for international students

Applications will be evaluated progressively.

  • Self-certification of Bachelor's or Master's degree, with the list of exams taken, to be uploaded in a single file on the "admission portal". In the event that the Master's Degree is being obtained, the average of the exams may contribute to the evaluation.
  • Cover letter
  • Identification document and tax code
  • CV, passport-sized photo
  • Residence permit document (only for non-EU citizens)

The participation fee for the MAPCD is 10,000 euros, to be paid in four installments, the first of which at the time of admission and the subsequent ones in February, April and June of the following year.

Scholarships are available to partially cover (25% of the total) the expenses for participation in the Master, which are assigned on the basis of the evaluation of the Scientific Direction.

Exclusively for international students, up to 2 scholarships are available for 50% of the Master's participation fee.

Step 1: Submit your application.

 

If you are a student with an Italian qualification, please access this link for the application procedure for students with a national qualification.

If you are a student with an international (non-Italian) qualification, please access this link for the application procedure for students with an international qualification.

 

Step 2: evaluation of qualifications by the Didactic Coordination.

 

Step 3: motivational interview with the Coordinator, which will focus on the following aspects:

-          CV

-          Academic and professional career

-          Motivation to undertake the Master's degree

-          Knowledge of the English language

Step 4: admission to the Master's course, upon evaluation by the Management.

 

Step 5: confirmation of enrolment and payment of the first instalment. Once admission has been confirmed, it will be necessary to finalize the enrolment by forwarding the payment for the first instalment of the Master (3000 €). Typically, payment can be made:

-          Within 5 days of admission for Italian students

-          Within 15 days of admission for international students.

The payment methods will be communicated by the competent offices.

 

 

Step 6: enrolment and start of the Master's programme, through the instructions that will be sent by the competent offices.

Visa support: international students enrolled in the Master and who need to obtain a visa will receive a letter of admission to the Master that will be useful for the visa procedure.

 

Declaration of Value/Diploma Supplement: undergraduate and graduate degrees obtained abroad (from non-Italian universities) must be accompanied by a Declaration of Value for non-EU qualifications, or by a Diploma Supplement for qualifications obtained within the European Union.

 

For more information on these documents, please read the frequently asked questions and refer to the International Admissions Office: international.enquiry@unicatt.it

Are you a non Italian applicant? Do you still have doubts regarding your status and what you have to do? 

Check out the FAQ