# Diplomacy of the Russian Federation and Foreign States

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/diplomacy-russian-federation-and-foreign-states
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate

41.04.05 
*In English and Russian*

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

Programme description

The master's programme ‘Diplomacy of the Russian Federation and Foreign States’ is devoted to the study of the theory and practice of diplomacy. Special attention is paid to economic diplomacy, public diplomacy, and para-diplomacy, which reflects the unique characteristics of St Petersburg and the Northwestern Federal District. The programme is unique in that it actively involves experts with experience in business negotiations in a multicultural environment in the teaching process. Students take part in student exchange programmes with the University of Bologna (Italy). The programme offers courses that are unique to Russian higher education: ‘Current Issues in Diplomacy and Negotiation Studies’ and ‘New Areas of Diplomacy’. This degree programme is designed to train experts capable of: providing organisational, communication, expert, analytical, advisory, information and educational services to government agencies and non-governmental organisations engaged in diplomacy of the Russian Federation and foreign countries; and conducting research activities in the global political, economic, social and cultural environment.

Main courses

- Challenges in Diplomatic Studies and Negotiations
- Diplomacy of International Global and Regional Organisations
- New Spheres of Contemporary Diplomacy
- Russian Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Diplomacy of Regions
- Economic Diplomacy
- Political Economy of ICT

Teaching staff

- Stanislav Tkachenko, Doctor of Economics, Candidate of History, Professor in the Department of European Studies; President of the Post-Communist Systems in International Relations Section of the International Studies Association (2013–2023); Member of the Valdai Discussion Club. He was awarded an honorary certificate of the Ministry of General and Professional Education of the Russian Federation (1999), the second prize of the contest of young scientists of St. Petersburg State University (2001), the Henrik Gabriel Porthan Medal, Finland (2006), honorary certificates of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations (2010, 2016, 2010), and Medal ‘30 years of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations’. He is Honoured Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation (2022); Visiting Professor at the University of Bologna (Italy) and Research Professor at Liaoning University (China); author of 13 monographs and 180 scholarly articles published in 14 countries worldwide
- Dmitrii Baryshnikov, Candidate of Political Science, Associate Professor in the Department of World Politics; Chairperson of the Teaching Methodology Committee of the Faculty
- Natalia Vasilieva, Doctor of Political Science, Professor in the Department of World Politics; a renowned expert on global politics, the UN, and diplomacy in international organisations
- Olga Grigoreva, Candidate of Political Science, Associate Professor in the Department of European Studies; developer of the unique lecture course ‘Economic Diplomacy’; author of scholarly papers on the foreign policy and economics of Northern European countries
- Natalia Eremina, Doctor of Political Science, Associate Professor in the Department of European Studies; author of numerous Russian and international publications on regional and ethno-regional policy in EU member states
- Irina Zeleneva, Doctor of History, Professor in the Department of World Politics; a recognised expert on geopolitics and on the history of the formation and development of Russian diplomacy
- Natalia Markushina, Doctor of Political Science, Professor in the Department of World Politics; a prominent expert in regional diplomacy, integration processes, and conflicts in the Arctic region
- Aleksei Chikhachev, Candidate of Political Science, Associate Professor in the Department of European Studies; expert in French domestic and foreign policy, as well as international security

Our advantages

- It is the only master's programme at Russian universities outside Moscow devoted to the study of the theory and practice of diplomacy. Special attention is paid to economic diplomacy, public diplomacy, and para-diplomacy, which reflects the unique characteristics of St Petersburg and the Northwestern Federal District
- The programme is unique in that it actively involves current diplomats and representatives of business and non-governmental organisations with experience in business negotiations in a multicultural environment to deliver lectures and seminars
- Master’s students take part in student exchange programmes with the University of Bologna (Italy)
- The programme offers courses that are unique to Russian higher education: "Current Issues in Diplomacy and Negotiation Studies" and "New Areas of Diplomacy"

Main areas of research

- Russian Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Diplomacy efficiency
- Diplomacy of regional integration associations
- Economic and energy diplomacy
- Political economy and development diplomacy

Career opportunities

- Analysts in government bodies, non-governmental organisations and businesses
- Employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government organisations
- Research fellows at research organisations working on a wide range of political and economic issues

[This webpage may contain outdated information. The programme descriptions and admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year are currently being updated. For the latest information on 2026/2027 admission, please visit the Admissions Office website.](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/en/)

[Tuition](https://english.spbu.ru/admission/tuition)

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