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Diploma Programme
The Diploma Programme is a one-year postgraduate training course in the theory and practice of international relations. Emphasis is placed, above all, on interdisciplinarity, the implementation of theoretical knowledge in practice, and multilingualism. With the Diploma Programme students acquire the academic, practical and language skills necessary for a successful career in the international arena.
Target group | Graduates (university or college) of all disciplines and nationalities |
| Language of instruction | English, with some courses in German and French |
| Start | October 2013 |
| Application deadline | 1 March 2013 |
| Diploma awarded | Diploma of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna |
| Duration | one year, full-time |
| ECTS points | 60 |
| Tuition fee | EUR 11.300 / academic year 2013/14 |
The course covers
- political science and international relations
- structure and functioning of international organizations and the European Union
- economics and international economic relations
- international law, institutional and material European law
- contemporary political history with emphasis on the states of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe
- language training at the highest levels in English, French and German
Skills Training
- rhetoric
- presentation skills
- negotiation skills
- media relations
Study Trips
The principle destination is Brussels where students can examine European institutions at first hand. A study trip to Ukraine and Poland (in 2012: L’viv, Drohobytsh, Kiev, and Cracow) is offered to all programmes.
Language Training
A challenging and multifaceted language training in English, French and German is included in the curriculum of the Diploma Programme. Classes take place in small groups. Participants are prepared for internationally recognized language certificate examinations (Cambridge Proficiency, Cambridge Advanced, DALF, ÖSD).
Students who wish to take the entrance exam for the Austrian Foreign Ministry (examen préalable) are offered additional courses in English and French preparatory for this exam.
In cooperation with the Language Centre of the University of Vienna the DA offers training in the official languages of the UN: Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
Admission to the Diploma Programme is on the basis of a competitive entrance examination to be taken at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna or at an Austrian representation abroad.
Candidates who wish to take the entrance examination have to fulfil the following requirements:
- a degree from an accredited institution of higher education (university, college)
- a very good command of English, a good command of German or French, at least a basic knowledge of the third language (German or French)
Entrance Examination
The entrance examination is divided into written and oral sections. More information: Preparation for Entrance Examination
Exam Dates
At the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna: 22 - 25 April 2013
At an Austrian embassy or consulate general abroad: 25 - 29 March 2013
Applications for the Diploma Programme may be made by the online/offline procedure (see below). Once all submitted documents have been examined, the DA informs the applicants whether they are admitted to the entrance examination. At the end of May, candidates who took the written and oral examinations are informed whether they have been admitted to the Diploma Programme.
Application deadline: 1 March 2013
Online/Offline Application Process
1. Register
2. Fill in the online application form and upload your CV.
The document size of your CV must not exceed 1 MB.
3. Post copies of the following to the DA Registrar’s Office: these documents should reach the Registrar by 1 March 2013 at the latest:
- CV
- motivation letter
- university/college diploma
- transcript of grades
- copy of your passport
- photo (passport sized)
- two recommendation letters. These MUST be:
- submitted by the referees to the candidate in a sealed envelope or
- submitted by the referees directly to our registrar Ms Ingrid Eidler by postal mail.
- If you are applying for a scholarship, you are required to mail the duly completed and signed (no electronic signatures) scholarship form as well as a tax declaration and/or pay slips.
Please send the documents listed above to
Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
Ingrid Eidler
Favoritenstr. 15a
1040 Vienna, Austria
Certified Translations
The working languages of the Diplomatic Academy are English, French and German. If your documents are not issued in one of these languages, please make sure you include certified translations with your application.
DA-Scholarships
After assessing the academic performance and financial status of applicants, the DA may grant scholarships (including partial tuition waivers) to students from Austria and abroad. The financial status of applicants is determined on the basis of their income and available assets. Academic performance is based on the results of the entrance examination.
In order to apply for a scholarship, applicants should send the filled in and hand-signed scholarship form by mail to the DA by 1 March 2013 at the latest.
The decision on the allocation of financial assistance based on academic performance and financial status is made at the end of May by the Admissions Commission and the Scholarship Fund of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
Application deadline: 1 March 2013
Scholarship of the Austrian Scholarship Foundation
This Foundation awards scholarships to citizens of those countries that suffered under the National Socialist regime, particularly through the recruiting of forced labour. The programme is, however, not only intended for people from the countries particularly affected by the recruitment of forced labour, but also for the descendants of forced labourers who live in other countries.
Please find further details at the Austrian Database for Scholarships and Research Grants
Student Loans
In cooperation with the Wüstenrot savings bank the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna grants a limited number of student loans for students of the Diploma Programme during their 9 months of studies at the DA.
Loan conditions
Student loan: max. EUR 10,000
Loan period: 78 months, of which 18 months installment-free and thereafter 60 monthly repayments
Terms of loan: 6% per annum max. variable
Application deadline: May 31
Students can only apply for loans after they have been accepted to the Diploma Programme. The granting of the loan is considered and has to be approved by the Director after the student has made the required down-payment of EUR 500,- to secure his/her place in the Diploma Programme. Please mail the application form directly to our financial officer claudia.nilsson[at]da-vienna.ac.at
For US applicants there is the possibility to apply for the Fulbright-Diplomatic Academy Student Grant. For details please see http://www.fulbright.at/fulbright-for-us-citizens/us-students/us-students-diplomatic-academy.html.
Country-specific Loans
For students from Great Britain
The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna is a registered institution with “Professional Career Development Loans” by the government ( www.direct.gov.uk/cdl) Prospective students from GB who wish to apply for a Professional Career Development Loan (PCDL) can seek further information under the PCDL information phone number 0800 585 505.
For students from British Columbia
Students of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna can apply for student loans at the Ministry of Advanced Education & Labour Market Development.
