Doctoral Study – International and Diplomatic Studies postgraduate |

International and Diplomatic Studies III is a third cycle interdisciplinary doctoral programme lasting three years and amounting to 180 ECTS.

After fulfilling the requirements for the completion of this study programme, the graduate is awarded the title of Doctor of Science.

Date of last accreditation by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency: 13 June 2013.

Doctoral programme International and Diplomatic Studies III offers specialized and focused study and research in the interdisciplinary field of international law, international relations, foreign policy, diplomacy and diplomatic law. It follows the principles of the Bologna Declaration, offering interdisciplinary knowledge, as well as professional and scientific experience of theoretical and applied research. Graduates of this programme will be quality-educated professionals with profound knowledge in international relations and diplomacy, and will be able to continue their research within both post-doctoral study or research projects and programmes. They will have the ability to use advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as professionally and independently manage and perform in most demanding working environments.

International and Diplomatic Studies III provides specialist third cycle education comparable in the international context. As experts in international studies and diplomacy, the graduates will be able to apply for most demanding jobs in private or public sector – in state or European administration, international political or business organizations, foreign policy, non-governmental organizations, etc. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, the graduates can obtain knowledge from the fields of international law, international relations, foreign policy, diplomacy and diplomatic law. They may seek employment anywhere in Slovenia as well as in the EU because this degree is recognizable according to the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region.ž

Upon graduation, the study at all three Bologna cycles has been completed. If the candidates are interested in further study and research, they may seek to enroll in post-doc study programmes of other higher education institutions or seek research opportunities within the research institutes and centers of the New University.

Lectures, tutorials and seminars are held in the first three semesters, whereas individual study and research is done during the course of the entire study programme. Exams are organized annually during the exam periods in January and May. Below is the accredited curriculum:

General outcomes:

• Analyze, synthesize, and anticipate solutions and consequences of phenomena in the interdisciplinary field of international and diplomatic studies.
• Careful and meticulous work with sources.
• Capability of independent scientific research.
• In-depth understanding of theoretical and methodological concepts. Mastery of research methods, procedures and processes.
• Development of critical and self-critical assessment.
• Development of communication skills with the emphasis on international legal environment.
• Ethical reflection and commitment to professional ethics.
• Critical analysis of social phenomena.
• Ability to connect different professional disciplines to achieve legal goals.
• Ability to understand the importance of national identity in a multicultural world and Europe, and management of cultural differences and (inter-)national legal dilemmas.

Specific outcomes:

• Obtain and use specialized knowledge in the narrow field of international and diplomatic studies at the national and European level.
• In-depth knowledge of legal sources from the field of the doctoral dissertation.
• Integrate knowledge from the disciplines of this study programme or research topic.
• Understand and solve real work problems using scientific methods and procedures in law, social sciences and diplomacy.
• Critically choose problem-solving principles in the field of law.
• Ability to include new information and interpretations in the context of professional and scientific development in the interdisciplinary field of international relations and diplomacy.
• Use information and communications technologies (ICT) and systems.

Methods of Learning, Teaching and Assessment

For both compulsory and optional courses, frontal instructions (lectures) are delivered in combination with work in smaller groups. In case of blended learning, lectures may also be recorded and offered to students for download, and individual consultations are possible as well. Teaching methods include explanation, conversation, discussion, working with texts and written or video sources and case studies.

Knowledge and skills are usually assessed in oral or written exams in combination with seminar papers. In some cases both written and oral exam are necessary. Apart from exams and seminar papers, assessments may also include presentations of seminar papers, essays and group projects. At the beginning of lectures, teachers will discuss methods of teaching, learning and assessment with students for each course.

Foreign candidates who have completed education abroad meet the enrolment conditions if they finished:

• The 2^nd cycle study programme (upon graduating from the first cycle study and together acquiring the sum of 180 and 120 credits).
• The unified 2^nd cycle study programme evaluated with 300 credits and lasting five years.
• At least a four-year university study programme from the field of public administration, law or social sciences if they also prove success in research and professional work, which the Study Commission can evaluate with 60 credits.

Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

Criteria for Transferring

Transfers are possible between study programmes of the same cycle (3^rd). They are possible between study programmes which on completion of studies ensure the acquisition of comparable competences, and between which it is possible, under the recognition criteria, to recognize at least half of study requirements under the ECTS from the first study programme relating to compulsory courses of the second study programme.

The Study Commission decides on the possibility of transfer. It identifies the already completed study obligations and fully or partially recognizes them. It then determines the obligations required to complete this study programme. Based on this, it may require from the candidates to complete additional obligations to enroll in the higher year or semester.

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

Recognition of Prior Knowledge

Recognition of formally acquired knowledge:

Candidates may request recognition of knowledge acquired within an accredited study programme of the same cycle or level at another higher education institution. Courses may also be recognized which the candidates completed during the study of this programme at another higher education institution, but only if they differ from the courses that the candidates have already completed within International and Diplomatic Studies III.

 Recognition of informally acquired knowledge:

Candidates may request recognition of knowledge at the comparable level acquired within informal education outside accredited study programmes (exams, seminar works, projects, scientific or professional works and publications, inventions, patents, other copyright works, active participation at doctoral conferences or other events of comparable importance).

 Decisions on recognition are adopted by the Study Commission. Recognition, be it full or partial, depends on the comparability of prior knowledge, competences and learning outcomes with those of this study programme. For informal prior knowledge, maximally 15 credits may be recognized.

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

Selection Criteria in Case of Limited Enrolment

In case of limited enrolment, the Study Commission will decide on selection of candidates based on the average grade at the second cycle study (50% of the selection grade), on the grade of the master’s thesis (40% of the selection grade) and on prior academic achievements (competitions, prizes, publications … 10% of the grade).

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

Conditions for Progression and Completion of Studies

A condition for promotion from the first to the second year of the doctoral study is an approved doctoral dissertation proposal. A condition for promotion from the second to the third year is a successful presentation and defense of the draft of a doctoral dissertation, during which the doctoral dissertation’s original scientific contribution is examined, as well as its maturity for completing and knowing the contents of compulsory courses.

Graduating in International and Diplomatic Studies III requires completing all courses, accomplishing individual research work and completing as well as successfully defending the doctoral thesis according to New University regulations