Starts 23rd February 2026

In a world shaped by geopolitical competition, identity politics, and rapidly shifting global narratives, diplomacy is no longer confined to negotiation rooms. Influence today is built through culture, values, education, creativity, and connection.

This course is designed for diplomats, international affairs professionals, NGO practitioners, cultural institute staff, policy advisors, and students seeking to understand how culture operates as a strategic instrument of foreign policy. You will explore how governments and non-state actors deploy heritage, arts, education, media, and intercultural dialogue to foster trust, improve international relationships, and project influence across borders.

Across five in-depth modules, you will gain a strong theoretical foundation while examining practical case studies from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. By the end of the course, you will not only understand the mechanics of cultural diplomacy—you will be equipped to design and evaluate your own strategic initiatives.

Course Curriculum

• Module 1: Foundations of Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

• Module 2: Cultural Institutions and State Strategy

• Module 3: Arts, Media, Sports and Heritage as Diplomacy Tools

• Module 4: Intercultural Dialogue and Global Challenges

• Module 5: Designing and Evaluating a Cultural Diplomacy Strategy

The Course Fee

1-Individual course access: access this course unlimited  ( £295) Now £177

On completion of the course, you’ll be able to

Distinguish clearly between cultural diplomacy, public diplomacy, and nation branding

1. Understand how major cultural institutions (e.g., Goethe-Institut, British Council, Confucius Institute, Institut Français) operate within broader foreign policy strategies

2. Analyse how arts, film, sport, education, and heritage contribute to shaping global narratives and building soft power

3. Design a cultural diplomacy initiative aligned with national, regional, or institutional objectives

4. Develop frameworks to measure and assess the impact of cultural engagement on international audiences