Subject guides / Global Governance

Global Governance

Also appears in programme titles as: International Organisations · Global Affairs · Diplomacy and Global Governance

105 programmes mapped across 27 countriesScholarship compatibility checkedVerified Jul 2026 against official sources

What a global governance degree actually is

Someone staffs the UN, negotiates the treaties, runs the multilateral machinery — and global governance degrees train them. This is international relations pointed at institutions rather than theory: how global problems get managed (or not) across the bodies built to manage them.

Sciences Po PSIA and Hertie are the European policy-school flagships; the Geneva Graduate Institute sits inside the world's densest cluster of international organisations; UCL adds the London ethics-flavoured route; NUS LKY the Asian one.

What you study — and the bar to entry

International organisations and law, global political economy, diplomacy and negotiation, and a functional specialism (security, development, environment). These are mostly two-year professional degrees with internships built in; entry reads international-relations, law, economics and strong generalist profiles. No quantitative bar beyond basic methods — the currency is analytical writing and languages.

Where it leads

The UN system and its agencies, regional organisations (EU, AU, ASEAN), foreign ministries and diplomatic services, international NGOs, and think tanks. The honest caveat: this is a credential-dense, competitive field where the internship and the network often matter more than the transcript — the two-year formats exist partly to buy exactly those.

Anti-Corruption SpecialistDiplomat / Foreign Service OfficerTrade Policy SpecialistUN Programme Officer

Who it suits — and who it does not

A good fit if you are…

  • Aspiring diplomats and international-civil-servants who want the institutional map and network
  • Foreign-ministry and international-organisation staff formalising their trajectory
  • Applicants targeting a specific multilateral career — the network is the product

Probably not the right degree if…

  • Applicants who want a fast one-year credential — the strong programmes are two years
  • Those seeking technical specialisation: the functional guides (health, climate, trade) go deeper
  • Anyone expecting the degree alone to open UN doors — it opens the internship that might

Where to study it: the programme map

Five verified programmes: European policy schools (Sciences Po PSIA, Hertie), the Geneva Graduate Institute, UCL (one-year) and NUS LKY. The Geneva row is shared with the international development map.

UniversityOfficial programme titleLengthTuition (intl)Experience
Australian National UniversityAustraliaMaster of International Relations———
Bilkent UniversityTürkiyeMA in International Affairs and Public Policy (MIAPP)24 mo——
Bilkent UniversityTürkiyeMA in International Relations24 mo——
Bogazici UniversityTürkiyeMA in International Relations: Turkey, Europe and the Middle East (MIR)12 mo——
Charles UniversityCzechiaInternational Economic and Political Studies (IEPS)24 mo——
Charles UniversityCzechiaInternational Relations (MAIN)24 mo——
Charles UniversityCzechiaInternational Security Studies (MISS)24 mo——
Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongMaster of Social Science in Global Political Economy (MGPE)12 mo——
Columbia UniversityUnited StatesMaster of International Affairs (MIA)24 mo——
Copenhagen Business SchoolDenmarkMSc in International Business and Politics24 mo——
Corvinus University of BudapestHungaryMA in International Relations24 mo——
Dublin City UniversityIrelandMA in International Relations12 mo——
Eotvos Lorand UniversityHungaryInternational Relations MA24 mo——
Fudan UniversityChinaMaster of International Public Policy (MIPP)24 moCNY 70,000/yr—
Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)SwitzerlandMaster in International History and Politics24 moCHF 8,000/yr—
Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)SwitzerlandMaster in International and Development Studies (MINT)24 moCHF 8,000/yr—
Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)SwitzerlandMaster in International Relations / Political Science24 moCHF 8,000/yr—
Hertie SchoolGermanyMaster of International Affairs (MIA)24 moEUR 38,500—
Hertie SchoolGermanyMaster of International Affairs24 mo——
IE UniversitySpainDual Degree Master in International Relations + Master of Public Policy———
IE UniversitySpainMaster in International Relations———
ISCTE University Institute of LisbonPortugalMaster Degree in International Studies———
Jagiellonian UniversityPolandInternational Relations and Public Diplomacy (IR-PUB)24 mo——
Johns Hopkins UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)24 mo——
KU LeuvenBelgiumMaster of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives12 mo——
Koc UniversityTürkiyeMA in International Relations24 mo——
Korea UniversitySouth KoreaMA in International Studies – International Peace & Security24 mo——
LMU MunichGermanyGlobal Public Policy (M.A.)24 mo——
LUISS Guido CarliItalyJoint Master in Global Economic Governance and Public Affairs———
LUISS Guido CarliItalyMaster's Degree in International Relations24 mo——
LUISS Guido CarliItalyMaster in International Public Affairs———
Malmo UniversitySwedenPolitical Science: Global Politics, Master's Programme (Two-Year)24 mo——
Masaryk UniversityCzechiaInternational Relations and Energy Security24 mo——
Monash UniversityAustraliaMaster of International Relations———
Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeMSc (International Relations)12 mo——
Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeMSc (Strategic Studies)12 mo——
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)JapanTwo-year Master's Program of Public Policy (MP2)24 mo——
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)JapanMaritime Safety and Security Policy Program12 mo——
National University of SingaporeSingaporeMaster in International Affairs (MIA)24 mo——
National University of SingaporeSingaporeMaster in International Affairs (LKYSPP)24 mo——
New York UniversityUnited StatesMS in Global Affairs24 mo——
Norwegian University of Life SciencesNorwayMSc in Global Economy and Politics24 mo——
Norwegian University of Life SciencesNorwayMSc in International Relations24 mo——
Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorwayMSc in Global Relations and Sustainable Development24 mo——
Peking UniversityChinaInternational Master of Public Administration (Comparative Public Policy and International Cooperation)24 moCNY 190,000/yr3+ years work experience after bachelor's (or 2+ after a master's/doctorate)
Peking UniversityChinaYenching Academy Master's Program in China Studies24 mo——
Peking UniversityChinaMaster Program in International Relations (MIR)24 moCNY 75,000/yr—
Roskilde UniversityDenmarkMSc in International Politics and Governance24 mo——
Sciences PoFranceMaster in International Governance and Diplomacy24 mo——
Seoul National UniversitySouth KoreaMaster of International Studies – International Cooperation24 mo——
Syracuse UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Arts in International Relations18 mo——
Syracuse UniversityUnited StatesExecutive Master's in International Relations——At least 7 years of management experience beyond basic supervisor
Tampere UniversityFinlandMaster's Programme in International Security24 mo——
Tampere UniversityFinlandMaster's Programme in Security Governance24 mo——
Trinity College DublinIrelandMSc International Politics12 mo——
Tsinghua UniversityChinaMaster of Global Affairs (Schwarzman Scholars)12 mo——
Tsinghua UniversityChinaInternational Master of Public Administration for Future Leaders (IMPA-FL)12 mo—For senior government officials with several years of public-sector experience
Tsinghua UniversityChinaMaster of Public Administration in International Development and Governance (MIDG)——Relevant work experience required; government-recommended candidates
Umea UniversitySwedenMaster's Programme in Political Science24 mo——
Universidad Autonoma de MadridSpainInternational Master EUROSUD South European Studies———
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSpainMaster in European Economic Governance: Law, Politics and Economics———
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSpainMaster in Sustainable Development and Global Governance———
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSpainMaster in Geopolitics and Strategic Studies———
University College CorkIrelandMSc International Public Policy and Diplomacy12 moEUR 18,500—
University College LondonUnited KingdomGlobal Governance and Ethics MSc12 moGBP 35,400—
University of AntwerpBelgiumAdvanced Master of Governance and Development12 moEUR 7,800Relevant professional experience valued in selection (no minimum specified)
University of AucklandNew ZealandMaster of Global Studies18 moNZD 55,484/yr—
University of BaselSwitzerlandMaster of Arts in European Global Studies24 mo——
University of BergenNorwayMaster's in Politics and Governance of Global Challenges24 mo——
University of BolognaItalyInternational Politics and Economics24 mo——
University of BolognaItalyInternational Relations and Diplomatic Affairs24 mo——
University of BolognaItalyInternational Relations24 mo——
University of British ColumbiaCanadaMaster of Public Policy and Global Affairs20 moCAD 94,427—
University of California, San DiegoUnited StatesMaster of Advanced Studies in International Affairs———
University of California, San DiegoUnited StatesMaster of International Affairs24 mo——
University of CanterburyNew ZealandMaster of International Relations and Diplomacy12 moNZD 51,000—
University of Eastern FinlandFinlandJoint Nordic Master Programme in Environmental Law (NOMPEL)24 mo——
University of GenevaSwitzerlandMaster of Science in Global Studies24 mo——
University of GothenburgSwedenMaster's Programme in International Administration and Global Governance24 mo——
University of GothenburgSwedenMaster's Programme in Global Studies24 mo——
University of GrazAustriaGlobal Studies - Specialisation Economics and Environment, Master's Programme24 mo——
University of Hong KongHong KongMaster of International and Public Affairs (MIPA)———
University of LucerneSwitzerlandMaster Dual Degree in Political Science———
University of LucerneSwitzerlandMaster in World Society and Global Governance———
University of MelbourneAustraliaMaster of International Relations———
University of OsakaJapanMaster of International Public Policy (OSIPP)24 mo——
University of OsakaJapanGraduate School of Human Sciences, English Program (Global Studies / International Development and Cooperation)24 mo——
University of OtagoNew ZealandMaster of International Studies12 mo——
University of OttawaCanadaMaster of Arts in Public and International Affairs———
University of PaduaItalyEuropean and Global Studies24 mo——
University of PaduaItalyHuman Rights and Multi-level Governance24 mo——
University of St. GallenSwitzerlandMaster in International Affairs and Governance (MIA)18 mo——
University of SydneyAustraliaMaster of International Relations———
University of TokyoJapanMaster of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP)24 mo——
University of TorontoCanadaMaster of Global Affairs24 mo——
University of TrentoItalyEuropean and International Studies24 mo——
University of WarsawPolandGraduate Programme in International Relations24 mo——
Uppsala UniversitySwedenMaster's Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies24 mo——
Victoria University of WellingtonNew ZealandMaster of International Relations———
Vrije Universiteit BrusselBelgiumMaster of Political Science: European and International Governance———
Waseda UniversityJapanGraduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS), Master of Arts24 mo——
Waseda UniversityJapanGraduate School of Political Science, English-based Master's Program (Political Science)24 mo——
Yale UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Public Policy in Global Affairs24 mo——
Yonsei UniversitySouth KoreaMaster of Global Affairs & Policy – International Cooperation24 mo——
Zhejiang UniversityChinaMA in International Affairs and Global Governance36 moCNY 36,800/yr—

Every row verified against the official programme page; oldest verification 16 Jul 2026. Nothing here is a paid placement.

Application strategy and funding routes

Geneva (CHF 8,000/year, and physically inside the UN ecosystem), Sciences Po and Hertie are the two-year European builds with the deepest multilateral pipelines; UCL (£35,400) is the Chevening-compatible one-year London option; NUS LKY the Asian route. For UN ambitions, location and internship access should outweigh brand — Geneva's address is itself a curriculum.

Which scholarship funds which programme

Computed from each scheme's published rules (destination, level, course length) — not a guarantee; list-based schemes still require checking the official list.

Chevening ScholarshipCommonly chosen by applicants
  • Australian National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Bilkent University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Bilkent University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Bogazici University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Charles University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Charles University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Charles University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Copenhagen Business School — study destination outside the scheme
  • Corvinus University of Budapest — study destination outside the scheme
  • Dublin City University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Eotvos Lorand University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • IE University — study destination outside the scheme
  • IE University — study destination outside the scheme
  • ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon — study destination outside the scheme
  • Jagiellonian University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Johns Hopkins University — study destination outside the scheme
  • KU Leuven — study destination outside the scheme
  • Koc University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Korea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • LMU Munich — study destination outside the scheme
  • LUISS Guido Carli — study destination outside the scheme
  • LUISS Guido Carli — study destination outside the scheme
  • LUISS Guido Carli — study destination outside the scheme
  • Malmo University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Masaryk University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Monash University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Nanyang Technological University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Nanyang Technological University — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • New York University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Roskilde University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Sciences Po — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tampere University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tampere University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Trinity College Dublin — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Umea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Autonoma de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College Cork — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College London
  • University of Antwerp — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Auckland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bergen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bologna — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bologna — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bologna — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of British Columbia — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Canterbury — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Eastern Finland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Graz — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Lucerne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Lucerne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Melbourne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Otago — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Ottawa — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of St. Gallen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sydney — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Tokyo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Toronto — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Trento — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Warsaw — study destination outside the scheme
  • Uppsala University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Victoria University of Wellington — study destination outside the scheme
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yale University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yonsei University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Zhejiang University — study destination outside the scheme
See if you qualifyDeadlines
Eiffel Excellence ScholarshipCommonly chosen by applicants
  • Australian National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Bilkent University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Bilkent University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Bogazici University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Charles University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Charles University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Charles University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Copenhagen Business School — study destination outside the scheme
  • Corvinus University of Budapest — study destination outside the scheme
  • Dublin City University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Eotvos Lorand University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • IE University — study destination outside the scheme
  • IE University — study destination outside the scheme
  • ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon — study destination outside the scheme
  • Jagiellonian University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Johns Hopkins University — study destination outside the scheme
  • KU Leuven — study destination outside the scheme
  • Koc University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Korea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • LMU Munich — study destination outside the scheme
  • LUISS Guido Carli — study destination outside the scheme
  • LUISS Guido Carli — study destination outside the scheme
  • LUISS Guido Carli — study destination outside the scheme
  • Malmo University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Masaryk University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Monash University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Nanyang Technological University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Nanyang Technological University — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • New York University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Roskilde University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Sciences Po
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tampere University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tampere University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Trinity College Dublin — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Umea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Autonoma de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College Cork — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College London — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Antwerp — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Auckland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bergen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bologna — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bologna — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bologna — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of British Columbia — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Canterbury — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Eastern Finland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Graz — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Lucerne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Lucerne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Melbourne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Otago — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Ottawa — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of St. Gallen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sydney — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Tokyo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Toronto — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Trento — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Warsaw — study destination outside the scheme
  • Uppsala University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Victoria University of Wellington — study destination outside the scheme
  • Vrije Universiteit Brussel — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yale University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yonsei University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Zhejiang University — study destination outside the scheme
Deadlines

Frequently asked questions

Is a global governance degree a ticket into the UN?

It is a ticket to the competition, not the job. UN entry runs through internships, the JPO programme and national quotas as much as degrees — choose a programme for its internship access and network, not its name alone.

One-year or two-year?

For the multilateral career the two-year formats (with internships and languages) are the stronger investment; UCL's one year suits those who already have the network or need Chevening funding.

Which scholarships fit?

Chevening for UCL; Eiffel Excellence for Sciences Po; DAAD for Hertie; Geneva and NUS have their own scholarship pools. Two-year formats exclude Chevening.

Related fields

AI and Public PolicyAnti-Corruption and GovernanceCultural Heritage ManagementEducation PolicyGender and DevelopmentHigher Education ManagementInternational DevelopmentMigration StudiesPeace and Conflict StudiesPublic Financial ManagementPublic PolicyScience and Technology PolicySocial PolicySpace PolicyTax Policy and AdministrationUrban Governance

Sources

Official programme pages (linked per row above) · official scholarship rules and participating-programme lists · university admission regulations. Every data row records its source URL and verification date; stale rows are re-checked or removed.

Global Study Prep is independent and not affiliated with any university or scholarship programme. Programme details change — always confirm on the official page before applying.